Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Excavators were seen driving off island Thursday morning, June 20, as the beach renourishment program is wrapping up. The extra beach isn’t as obvious at the Historic District access points … but my, oh my, is it ever noticeable at the old fishing pier at the south end. The landmark that […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The 5th Street beach ramp and public access point is now open again, after Lee County finished repairing it on June 10. The ramp was closed earlier in the month after erosion took away the beach underneath it, due to high tides and windy storms. This particular beach-access point is important, as it is right […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – It was quite an honor when Little Toot paid the island a visit … not to mention Christopher Robin as well. Last week the Johann Fust Library brought the small tug and its captain to Boca Grande Marina. Little Toot is a very famous children’s story written and illustrated by Hardie […]
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BY MARCY SHORTUSE – When you walk through the World War I portion of the Military Heritage Museum, a haunting site will catch your eye immediately. A cast sculpture called “The Buddies” by John Nelson Battenberg depicts two paratroopers, very similar to those who dotted the skies over Normandy on D-Day. Upon closer inspection you […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Ashley Scarpa has been an entrepreneur in the restaurant business since 2006. Since April, she and her husband Glenn have been leasing the space that, until last summer, was home to PJ’s Seagrille located at 321 Park Ave. on the island. They own and operate Scarpa’s Coastal restaurant. The husband-and-wife team behind […]
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■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE More information has come to light regarding the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association’s lawsuit against Lee County, an individual and a Florida company regarding alleged violations of several acts and state statutes. The suit was filed on June 5 with Lee County courts, naming the GICIA as the plaintiff and […]
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■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved all four items on the agenda at the monthly meeting held on Wednesday, June 12. The first special certificate-of-appropriateness case was a request for an addition to the rear elevation, including a garage with vehicular access to the alley at 461 Palm Ave. Lee […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
To the Editor: What a great year for the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament. Records were broken with 81 tarpon released, and we raised $42,000 for community charities! The Board of Directors of Boca Grande Charities, Inc. would like to thank everyone for making the tournament such a great success. An event like this […]
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■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE When 5 p.m. came around on Saturday, June 1, Head Judge of the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic came over the radio and announced the beginning of the tournament. Less than 10 seconds later, the voice of Capt. Waylon Mills came over the radio and said those magic words: “Fish on.” From that […]
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■ STAFF REPORT The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) announced on Wednesday that they have filed a lawsuit against Lee County as a result of actions taken by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners at a zoning hearing on Wednesday, May 8. These actions relate to properties located at 161,143, and 151 […]