Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Sea turtle nesting season officially began on May 1, but one anxious loggerhead started the season early and made her nest on Monday, April 29. The first nest of the season was found and documented in Zone 8 (Range Light walkway south to Sea Grape Park) by Donna Larson and Ashley […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The Boca Grande Fire Department and Lee County EMS responded to their first shark bite call since 2005 on Wednesday, May 1. At approximately 6:42 p.m. the call came in. The victim had been fishing on a boat in Boca Grande Pass when he lost his balance and fell into the water. Witnesses said it […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT Installation of the Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc.’s temporary construction bridge is now underway just north of the existing Gasparilla Inn golf course bridge on the east side of 7th Street. Boat traffic will not be able to pass through this area from May 1 through November 15. Boaters will have the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The artwork for the 2019 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament hit the streets last week, and it still has people tearing up a little bit. According to Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Wesley Locke, artist Kelly Reark put a lot into this one. The artwork features the boats that won […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
Janet Johnson has one of the most scenic views she has ever had from a desk job. Her current position with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as administrative assistant at Gasparilla Island State Park affords her a spot that overlooks the beach, lighthouse and Boca Grande Pass. Originally from Clarksville, Tennessee, Janet moved to west Tennessee […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – New-fangled headlight tags, evildoing doves and sidewalks were part of the conversation at the Wednesday, April 24 quarterly meeting of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. In fact, the entire second half of the meeting was devoted to discussion revolving around trying to pinpoint the exact property line at the southernmost part of […]
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Lee County commissioners approved an amendment to the Boca Grande Parking Ordinance which includes several changes to the way things are currently done. Last Tuesday, April 16, commissioners met at their regular meeting to discuss the proposal, which they approved unanimously. Changes include no parking on the south side of Belcher Road (primarily for fire, […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ This past Saturday, April 13, Florida Lighthouse Day was celebrated at not one, but two spots on the island. The Gasparilla Island Rear Light held climbing tours, while the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse (shown above), held tours, had refreshments and much more. Photo by Sue
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Lindsey Allen and his wife Ellen discovered Boca Grande about 14 years ago. After a successful career and raising two sons in Chicago, they decided that they wanted to spend the winters in a warmer climate. He chose to study accounting because his father was a career Coast Guard officer with a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
To the Editor: Jays for Justice … for nature preservatists and lovers. While we all think of our beautiful island this springtime, let’s be thankful for our nature’s bounty of lovely birdsong, whispering trees, gentle and sometimes strong waves of wisdom both rippling and roaring … and then WHAM, windows go shut because the leaf […]