Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Byline: Staff Report There are new piles of rocks along the Boca Grande Causeway and near the toll house. The new rocks, according to Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico, will be used along the shoreline near the swing bridge and in other select areas on the Causeway. The rocks were delivered by […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO, 2019 The Vasher, Simmons, Dowgiallo, Stockdale and Tincher families enjoyed the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Washington Redskins game as both teams vied for a seat at the NFL Super Bowl. TEN YEARS AGO, 2014 Construction crews began unloading equipment to begin the long awaited swing bridge. The permanent construction zone […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Events.
The Port Boca Grande Lighthouse & Museum, a cherished local landmark and the oldest structure on Gasparilla Island, is thrilled to announce its reopening to the public on Monday, Feb. 5. This marks a significant milestone as the museum has been closed since September 2022 due to the destructive impact of Hurricane Ian. Perched majestically […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Editorial, Opinion.
By JIM COCHRUN,GUEST EDITORIAL I grew up in Naples in the early ’50s. In those years, Naples was a small, tranquil and pristine Old Florida community of 1,500 residents. The bulk of the population was comprised of native Floridian families who held high respect and appreciation for nature and the environment. They were good stewards […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Education, Featured News, News.
The Boca Grande Woman’s Club has discovered a way to develop new talent on and for the island, help young people achieve personal success, encourage investment in the community and feel rewarded while doing all these things. The secret of their success was the 1971 creation of the club’s scholarship program. Since then, massaging, expanding […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE The backcountry fishing has been off to a great start this new year! We have been targeting pretty much everything from snook, redfish, and trout along with some pompano. Look for some scattered snook on higher tides next to deeper mangrove edges. The redfish and trout have been very active and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
One of the nation’s biggest advocates for beaches is Dr. John Fletemeyer, a former research professor at Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research. A new resident of Useppa Island, Fletemeyer is known worldwide for his expertise in both rip currents and beach ecology. He is the co-founder of the International Rip Current Symposium program […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Burdettes welcomed another bundle into the family. Jenna Marie Burdette joined sisters Christina and Lindsay. TEN YEARS AGO Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity dedicated a home for Gabrielle Brady and sons. Gabrielle worked at the Gasparilla Inn & Club and helped build her house. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO The battle against iguanas […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, News, Opinion, Real Estate.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board had only one item on the agenda Jan. 10, namely the designation of 446 4th Street East as officially “historic.” The building, which houses Bowen Construction and Newlin’s Mainely Gourmet, is located in the county’s Boca Grande Historic District. But it had not until this week been officially listed […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
At the upcoming Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 16 there are two items relating to Gasparilla Island on the agenda. The meeting will consider a “supplemental task authorization” to a contract with AIM Engineering & Surveying Inc. to provide design, engineering and construction administration services to renovate the tennis courts […]