Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Profiles, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, lightning poses dangers to buildings and people, in this 2024 photo taken near the Range Light. Sandi Firtion Florida used to be called the lightning capital, having been dethroned by Oklahoma. However, Florida still leads the nation in lightning-related deaths. There would be no argument from the residents of Gasparilla Island and Cape Haze, […]
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, a nest near downtown washed away in the heavy surf. BGSTA photo BY ARLENE HALLBOCA GRANDE SEA TURTLE ASSOC. With this week’s tropical depression (later Tropical Storm Bertha) just offshore, BGSTA volunteers were busy documenting nests that were impacted by the resulting extreme surf. A large number of nests were just washed over with […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Above, storm preparation in years past. File photo Nearly two months into hurricane season, the island has finally begun to see some precipitation; as the season progresses, now is the time to prepare your home for any future storms if you have not. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration recommends developing an evacuation plan now, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
On Sunday, July 12, around 5:20 p.m., Deputy David Scozzafava with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, responded in reference to a third-party complaint about a man and woman in a physical altercation on 4th Street in Boca Grande. Upon arrival, Deputy Scozzafava made contact with Alejandro Gonzalez, 37, of Port Charlotte. Gonzalez only spoke Spanish, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, Featured News, News.
A vacant property that was discussed for possible beach access parking will be needed for drainage at the south end of Gasparilla Island. Betsy Clayton, public information director for Lee County, said that they are partnering with the state to utilize this space to improve the drainage on Belcher Road. “As a result, this vacant […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
On Tuesday, the Charlotte County Commission heard a staff discussion about right-of-way encroachments on Don Pedro and Knight Island. The issue for the July 21 meeting was that not only are there trees, bushes and items blocking street and beach rights-of-ways, but many of the streets are not even paved, and some do not correspond […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
John Allen Larsen was born on August 10, 1939, and died at home surrounded by family and friends in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 16, 2026. Born in Vermont, he was adopted by John and Lillian Larsen who raised him in what became affectionately known as the “home farm” in Cross Plains, Wisconsin. He was […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Profiles.
A family legacy of music After a career with Microsoft and now with a technology startup, Jason Wickman has gone back to a longtime hobby: not only singing, but songwriting. This year, he put out his first album, “Beaches of Boca,” which is now on Spotify and all the other platforms. “I started writing and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Centennial Fishing Pier, located at 14021 Gasparilla Road in Placida is now open after a brief closure. The pier is on Coral Creek, to the north of Gasparilla Road. Both the Boca Grande Fishing Pier on Gasparilla Island and Placida Fishing Pier remain closed long-term because of hurricane damage.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Two serious golf cart accidents occurred with two occupants life flighted to a trauma center and others taken by ambulance to a local hospital. TEN YEARS AGO Boca Grande residents were represented at the RNC Convention in Cleveland Ohio. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO George Cera, a Boca Grande resident and wildlife specialist, was […]