Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY JAMES J. BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY George Eliot, famous novelist, poet, and one of the leading writers of the Victorian Era, said that “Animals are such agreeable friends – they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” The love and adoration of pets on Gasparilla Island is testimony to Eliot’s assessment of why […]
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
Adoptive ‘parents’ for nests across Gasparilla Island BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY As of this week, the 2025 sea turtle nesting season for the BGSTA is down to single digits, with only six (6) incubating green turtle nests remaining. Hopefully by the time this article is printed, some of them will have hatched. We have […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, News, Real Estate.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved two projects at their Wednesday, Oct. 8 meeting. Lee County Planner Marysue Groth presented the house renovation projects, both of which detailed flood damaged residences that will be raised out of danger. The first case was the elevation of the Burcham residence, at 740 E. Railroad. Groth said […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.
An aerial view of the construction of the future Boca Grande Health Clinic, looking south, taken Thursday morning. The building, replacing a storm damaged Annex, is part of their Clinic of the Future project. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Nine out of 15 members were appointed to the Boca Grande Parking Panel at Tuesday’s Board of Lee County Commissioners meeting. At the Oct. 7 meeting, during commissioner appointments, Commissioner Brian Hamman appointed Sandy Stilwell Youngquist, Richard Weber and Barbara McLaughlin to the panel. Younquist owns Keylime Bistro downtown. McLaughlin and Weber were on the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
By the middle of this week, crews were winding up the Florida-funded beach renourishment at Gasparilla Island State Park, at the south end of the island. Tuesday, crews had removed most pipes from the beach at the State Park and were moving sand from piles just north of the Boca Bay Pass Club, near South […]
Written by Angela McPhillips on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
A new RV resort has opened just off Gasparilla Island, offering travelers a modern, resort-style experience near Boca Grande. Cabana Bay RV Resort by Boca Grande, located at 9001 Gasparilla Rd. in Placida, sits on five acres and features 170 sites with full hookups, 100-amp service and paver pads. The gated property includes a clubhouse […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News, Profiles.
Part II of a stormy fall, 2024 This time last year, the island was just beginning to get back to normal business following the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Mud was being cleared out and trash was being bagged on the curbs as Hurricane Milton was forming in the Western Gulf of Mexico. Sunday, Oct. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, a 2020 photo of the temporary Bayou bridge used for GIWA operations. The old bridge is portable and is now in place, but it will be permanently removed this month. It had been used because the higher, and permanent, golf cart bridge is too steep and weak for heavy trucks and lifting. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Matthew Gilmour Thompson, 83, died on September 24, 2025. Born in Richmond on June 3, 1942, to Madeline Waller and Edward Thompson, Matt is survived by Janet Herring Thompson, his wife of 64 years; sons, Matthew G. Thompson, Jr. (Nancy) and Carter P. Thompson (Chase); and a daughter, Douglas Donnan Thompson O’Keefe (Stewart). His brother, […]