Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County is conducting a formal feasibility survey to determine the need for access to the bridgeless barrier islands including Palm Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Knight Island/Thornton Key. Currently there are a mix of private ferries to and from the islands. Palm Island has a privately run scheduled ferry, Palm Island […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Charlotte County Facilities Construction & Maintenance is conducting a feasibility study for accessibility to and from the bridge-less barrier islands on the coast, including Palm Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Knight Island/Thornton Key. This study seeks community input on the need for additional modes of access between the islands and mainland. A […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
On December 20, 2023, members of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a legal search warrant of two casino-style businesses that were operating in Charlotte County. Deputies removed slot machines from two businesses, including a bingo parlor in Englewood. Below, a video press release from Sheriff Bill Prummell.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
At their upcoming Dec. 5, 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Lee County will vote on a new contract for “population control services for black spiny-tailed iguanas” on Gasparilla Island. The award, set for the consent agenda, would be given to Blue Iguana Pest Control, Inc. dba Iguana Control of Coral Springs, Fla. as the […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Lee Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday selected District 5 Commissioner Mike Greenwell to serve as Board Chairman for the coming year and District 1 Commissioner Kevin Ruane to serve as vice chairman. The Board selects a chairman annually in November from among the five commissioners. Commissioner Greenwell previously served as […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
As fall visitors arrive and winter visitors begin to make plans, local tourism officials are looking for good news as vacation rentals come back on line.
“I think we are seeing some pent-up demand,” said Sean Doherty, the tourism director for Charlotte County tourism, which is branded the Punta Gorda and Englewood Beach Convention and Visitor Bureau.
Looking at Charlotte County’s tourism development tax revenues, in August the county saw its first actual increase in revenue since Hurricane Ian, with an upward blip of 0.7 percent. TDC revenue is derived from the lodging tax, which is assessed on any rental of less than six months and one day. These bed tax funds support both the Charlotte County and Lee County visitor bureaus.
Rental properties coming back on the market on Don Pedro and Little Gasparilla are also helping Charlotte tourism figures, as many were off market after Ian, Doherty said.
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: They’re neither a trick nor a treat, just a reality. Today, more than 562,000 tax bills are being mailed to property and business owners in Lee County. For those who signed up to receive their bill via email, those were sent out on November 1, 2023. These bills reflect the value of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A Charlotte County historic plaque makes a very clear promise about the Placida Bunkhouse, an old railroad dormitory that is currently resting and rotting behind the South Gulf Cove Publix off of Gasparilla Road. The sign states: However, a Placida resident, John Valickas, has raised the issue of the deterioration of the abandoned building, which […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, Community History.
If you thought like we did that last year’s Halloween Carnival and Turkey Hoop Shoot were changed to Thursdays because of Hurricane Ian issues, you were incorrect. Lee County Parks & Recreation let us know this week that this change is permanent … and there’s even more to the story. Last week on the front […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
At their Oct. 3, 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Lee County approved and extended their lease with the Johann Fust Library Foundation, Inc. for the Boca Grande branch library.
The lease amount, which was set for $56,250 for the upcoming year, was approved in September as part of the County’s $2.5 billion budget.
The monthly rental cost is $4,687.50 (or $56,250 annually). Utility costs, janitorial services and maintenance are provided by the Foundation at no additional cost. The Foundation also continues to maintain the library archives, shell collection and campus, as well as offering speakers and events.