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Body found on beach at Stump Pass, graffiti investigated on island

STAFF REPORT – The death of a man whose body was found at the water’s edge in Stump Pass Park in Englewood on Friday, July 31 has been ruled as a suicide. The call came in around 12:19 p.m. on Friday by boaters in the area. Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes and the Crime Scene Unit conducted the investigation. Several witnesses reported watching […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lee Commissioners approve next round of LeeCARES assistance programs

To the Editor: The Lee Board of County Commissioners today authorized the next round of LeeCARES programs to assist individuals, families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board approved plans to: • Launch Round 2 of LeeCares Assistance for individuals and families providing for broader eligibility and increased award amounts up to $3,000 […]

Island firefighters respond to boat fire in Boca Grande Pass

The morning of July 29, a 30-foot yacht caught fire near the Boca Grande Pass. Chief C.W. Blosser noted the team was dispatched at 9:12 a.m. after the report came in. The Boca Grande Fire Department responded alongside Lee County’s Marine Emergency Response Team to subside the smoke. The fire was out shortly before the […]

Primary elections to be held on Tuesday, August 18

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Residents of Charlotte County and Lee County should be preparing to cast their primary election votes on Tuesday, August 18. The primary elections benefit the nominees running for state, county or district offices. As a “closed primary” state, Florida allows only voters registered under a political party affiliation to place votes. All […]

Record high temperatures are doorway to heatstroke

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- The year 2020 began with record-breaking temperatures in Southwest Florida, with highs 3 degrees hotter than the previous record in January alone.  There’s no chance of records highs dissipating in the weeks to come, either. When local temperatures average at 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the afternoon, there is a chance of developing […]

Code enforcement takes down COVID safety signs and others

BY MARCY SHORTUSE- On Monday, July 20, Lee County Code Enforcement was busy on the island again, this time because of an anonymous complaint about signs. According to Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton, the call came in several days ago that there was an abundance of illegal signage around the island. It is not […]

Beach Club renovation in full swing

BY MARCY SHORTUSE- As work continues on the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club and surrounding property, it’s starting to become easier to see what the lay of the land will be. The beautiful new club and Gulf-side cottages are starting to come to life. Island residents and visitors have been curious as to what is going […]

Glass -recycled and upcycled- becomes an intriguing work of art

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Glass bottles are the least biodegradable item, taking what is predicted to be one million years to decompose. According to Tisha Bayne, the office coordinator for Keep Lee County Beautiful, “Research does say it takes glass a very, very long time to break down. It can take a glass bottle one million […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: New Mote facility details explained

To the Editor: At a press conference earlier this week, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium leadership provided exciting updates regarding the planned Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA) at Nathan Benderson Park. Updates included sharing remastered renderings of the iconic facility, announcing a major milestone in the Oceans for All campaign in support of Mote […]