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POLICE BEAT: Mysterious van filled with fuel found abandoned at Placida boat ramp, CCSO asks all island residents to lock up their boats, tackle and other gear

On Friday, May 7 Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office investigators and Charlotte County Fire were on scene at the Placida boat ramp investigating a van found abandoned, filled with barrels of fuel.  According to reports the silver 2018 Ford Transit van parked at the boat ramp was discovered after a deputy noticed the Transit van and […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: FWC launches the new Florida fishing pier finder

To the Editor: Are you looking for a place to fish from shore? Check out the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s new Florida Fishing Pier Finder, an interactive map that allows anglers to find publicly-accessed fishing piers, jetties and fishing-specific bridges in freshwater and saltwater locations throughout the state. Visit MyFWC.com/PierFinder to search for […]

Is the fate of the NHR proposal sealed? Appeal filed, but state announces that more than half of residents in the district have objected to the nomination

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Word from Tallahassee this week is that the controversial National Register of Historic Places nomination that was proposed by Sarasota resident Mikki Hartig is no longer viable, as the state’s Bureau of Historic Preservation/Division of Historical Resources received more than enough letters of objection to stifle the motion. Survey and Registration […]

Dog park plans unveiled

BY T MICHELE WALKER – The Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium was a hopping place on Friday, April 30 as Lee County Parks and Recreation held another public meeting to view plans for the proposed improvements for the dog park. Residents asked questions and eagerly viewed the plans showing the potential new park, which will […]

Local deputies, fire, EMS respond to sinking boats and golf cart accidents

STAFF REPORT – Local first responders received several calls this weekend, including several boat and golf cart calls. On Saturday, April 24 at approximately 8:50 p.m. Boca Grande firefighters responded to a call for mutual aid from Charlotte County for a small, dark-colored boat that was possibly in distress with no running lights on, possibly […]

LCSO recognizes GICIA’s bike path safety efforts

SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA – In 1985 the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association completed construction of the five miles of paved bike path that runs from First Street north. In the time since, GICIA has continued to focus on maintaining an attractive and safe path. As the numbers of island residents and visitors increase, […]

Iguana panel meets, discusses ongoing lizard eradication methodology

BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The Gasparilla Island Municipal Service Benefit Unit, a.k.a. the “iguana panel,” held their regularly scheduled advisory meeting on Friday, April 23, and discussion featured a commitment to continue discussions with state entities to allow iguana trapper George Cera permission to hunt on lands they own. Currently Cera is not allowed to […]

In the face of new proposed dredging deregulation that could mean 50 percent more sea turtle deaths, it seems strange that ‘relocation’ is no longer an option

BY TONYA BRAMLAGE AND MARCY SHORTUSE – It’s common to hear the phrase “There is no use in dredging things up,” but when it comes to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – the people charged with keeping U.S. waterways unobstructed for boats and ships – they feel just the opposite is true. Recently the […]

Greatest kids fishing tournament on earth to be held in Boca Grande Pass on June 5: Kids helping kids is what it’s all about

STAFF REPORT – After taking 2020 off because of COVID-19, the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament will return on Saturday, June 5, and will be held in Boca Grande Pass from 3 to 6 p.m. According to Capt. Sandy Melvin, the founder and coordinator osf the tournament, this is the world’s greatest kids fishing […]