Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved significant investments to protect Florida’s natural resources and agricultural lands. Through the Florida Forever Program, $111 million will secure 24,113 acres of critical lands, including seven key acquisitions that will connect vital conservation areas. Additionally, $206 million was approved to preserve over 62,000 acres of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
Last Friday, the Good Gulf pink pump returned to Park Avenue, in front of Hudson’s Grocery. Monday, Hudson’s reopened. Thank you to the staff of Hudson’s, the Wise family, BGI Painting and so many others who worked so hard to make it happen. The amount of commerce in that small square retail footage footprint should […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Island leaders met Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, to debrief the emergency response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Among those in attendance were moderator and AUXCOMM Project Coordinator Bo Hamrick, Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser, and Lt. Mike Sawicki with Lee County Sheriff’s Office. “We were satisfied with the response,” Sawicki said of the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority was able to identify an island resident who dumped hurricane rubbish on the Causeway. That resident was called, though at presstime had not yet responded. “We have cameras everywhere and we are watching,” said Kathy Banson, executive director, “and we were able to identify someone on island.” The person or […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The deadline to apply for residential FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton and Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025. Some Gasparilla Island residents report having applied for damages if they were not insured for flooding. While the amount was but a fraction of actual damages to the floor level area of a condo in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a resolution adopting the Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Lee County’s plan must be revised and adopted on an ongoing basis. It is written to be consistent with requirements in the Florida Administrative Code and established standards by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News, Sports & Outdoors.
A new statewide push by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo to discourage the fluoridation of Florida water will not affect residents of Boca Grande and Cape Haze, as the water here is not fluoridated. “We do not add fluoride and never have,” said Gasparilla Island Water Association Executive Director Ron Bolton. Bolton told the […]
Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Community History, Featured News, Health & Wellness, News.
Demolition of the Boca Grande Health Clinic Annex building, located at 280 Park Avenue, began on November 25, marking the start of a promising new chapter for healthcare on the island. The decision to expedite the demolition came after the annex sustained extensive damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The demolition paves the way for […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
This week, Lee County contractors began the process of repairing roads across Gasparilla Island as part of repairs from recent hurricanes. The $4.5 million project, which will take approximately three months, will repair county roadways as well as cleaning and repair of the stormwater drainage. “Work has commenced for the emergency road repairs on the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
For folks returning to Gasparilla Island, large piles of hurricane debris lining Gasparilla Road have been the dominant image. While much of the debris has been removed, there is still plenty to go around. The piles have continued to grow. Last weekend, the sofas and upholstered furniture in front of the Johann Fust Library were […]