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GICIA announces $250K match challenge by island family

SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) is extremely pleased and encouraged by the outpouring of support toward the purchase of the Mercabo site from residents of Gasparilla Island and the surrounding areas. As of Wednesday, Jan. 6 the GICIA has received nearly $20.2 million in pledges toward the $22 […]

Historic Board rules Palm Avenue home as not historic

BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board held a public meeting on Wednesday. More than 40 residents attended. A request to expand an approved rehabilitation of 920 Palm Avenue was discussed. Property owner Holly Cowan expressed to the Board her regrets regarding several mistakes made by contractors during the rehabilitation process.

Danny McKee: He was a good friend who got us through the storm

  This story has been compiled from an interview with Danny McKee that ran in the July 27, 2007 edition of the Boca Beacon, the week that Danny retired after working for 32 years as the island’s Department of Transportation Supervisor. At that time he was headed out to live in Wyoming. Danny passed away […]

We need to honor the soul of the island

To the Editor: They say the seasons don’t change in Florida. Well I know summer’s over because the weeds on Gilchrist are dying and a lot of my neighbors are crying. Crying once again … not in my front yard. I do think it’s wonderful that a lot of Islanders are on board with the […]

Mote scientists expand monitoring service for Florida beachgoers

  During this year of record Florida tourism, Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are announcing exciting upgrades to their real-time beach monitoring tool – giving visitors and residents improved resources to plan a safe and fun day at the beach. Mote’s Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS) provides twice-daily online updates on conditions at 27 of Florida’s […]

Legacy?

To the Editor: As a community, how do we want to be remembered? As a community that worked together to solve a contentious issue, or one in which people on both sides relied on high-priced lawyers to represent their views? As a community that worked together to provide Lee County Officials with a usage template […]

Parking will always be a problem in Boca

To the Editor: Parking will always be a problem in Boca. People keep coming here to live, and then there are daytrippers. More cars and more cars.Not everyone who lives here has a garage or driveway. We depend on street parking. Gilchrist is the issue right now, but people who are building or renovating homes […]

GIWA announces plans to improve water facilities

To the Editor: The Gasparilla Island Water Association has been busy this year planning for future improvements to both your water and wastewater treatment facilities. The first project will include an expansion to the water treatment facilities,including two new deep wells north of the existing facility. The reverse osmosis plant will also be rehabilitated, with […]

Talking about elephants with Roger and Candice: OBGBBC getting ready for launch

  BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Let’s talk elephants. They’re big, they’re gray, they have a trunk. They are also part of this year’s “One Big Grande Boca Book Club,” featuring Vicki Constantine Croke’s book, “Elephant Company.” For the second year the Johann Fust Library Foundation, the Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center and the Gasparilla […]

PROFILE: Tracy Peppers

BY SUE ERWIN – Island employee Tracy Peppers has worked at the Englewood Bank & Trust branch in Boca Grande since June. In the few months she has been there, she has already been promoted to Senior Teller at the office. “I was completely new to banking when I took this job. I was nervous at […]