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Health officials issue mosquito-borne illness advisory

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County (DOH-Lee) today advised residents there has been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity in areas of Lee County. Several sentinel chicken flocks have tested positive for West Nile virus infection. No human cases of West Nile virus have been reported in Lee County at this time. However, […]

Boating accident leads to death of Port Charlotte man

STAFF REPORT – On Sunday, October 13 at approximately 11:30 a.m., the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission received a report from the United States Coast Guard of a vessel taking on water in Charlotte Harbor near Devilfish Key, east of Boca Grande. FWC, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue, […]

Learn about bats, get ready to get creepy!

■ STAFF REPORT If you’ve never had a comfortable relationship with bats, give them another chance at a presentation sponsor-ed by the Barrier Island Parks Society, called “The Secret World of Bats.” It will be held on Friday, Oct. 25 beginning at 1:30 p.m., and it may help assuage your fears. The “Bat Lady,” also […]

Historic Preservation Board discusses code enforcement issues

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board has a plan to firmly dig their heels in regarding following up on code enforcement issues, according to conversation at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 9. After a member of the public stood at the end of the meeting and asked what the status […]

Red tide update for the week

In Southwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations offshore of Pinellas County, background concentrations offshore of Hillsborough County, very low to low concentrations in and/or offshore of Lee County, and background to high concentrations in and/or offshore of Collier County. Information provided by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation […]

Island Sheriff’s Office substation moves to Community Center

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE After 15 years of having an office in the Boca Grande Fire Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is moving out. According to Sheriff’s Office representatives, the substation has relocated from 360 E. Railroad Ave. to the Boca Grande Community Center, located at 131 1st St. W. “The new substation will […]

FWC approves draft changes to spotted seatrout rules

■ STAFF REPORT At its recent meeting in Cape Canaveral, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved several draft rule changes for spotted seatrout. Based on public comments at the meeting, the FWC also directed staff to continue considering public input and update the proposal as needed prior to bringing this back at […]

Fishing ABCs, nature walks and kayaking free this month through CHEC

To the Editor: Learn the “ABC’s of Fishing” with Capt. Doug Rhees at 10 a.m. on October 16 at Bayshore Live Oak Park, 23157 Bayshore Road, Pt. Charlotte. Capt. Doug is a USCG 100-Ton Master Captain who has been fishing Charlotte Harbor for decades, and he will explore the basics of fishing, including bait, location […]

Profile: Stephanie Shirback

There’s a friendly new first grade teacher at The Island School this year, and her classroom is colorful and full with resources. Stephanie Shirback has replaced former TIS teacher Tammy Tieu. Stephanie is no stranger to Boca Grande. She’s been visiting the island since she was a kid. Originally from Massachusetts, she moved to Englewood […]