Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.
With a projected expenditure amount of around $300,000, the Island EOC Emergency Communications and Interoperability Working Group gratefully accepted a $75,000 contribution from the Boca Grande Woman’s Club this week. Others who have contributed so far are the Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund ($50,000) and $1,500 from Boca Grande Charities (for 10 Btech radios for BGFD volunteers).
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Despite at least a dozen local bank branch closures in as many years, local “brick-and-mortar” banks are still a part of local banking habits. And they may well be around for the foreseeable future.
“My card got stolen the other day.” said Doug Izzo, director of the Englewood Chamber of Commerce. His first move? Go into a bank branch to sort it out. While the bank ultimately had to resolve the issue online, there was at least a person there to intercede.
“That’s why I like the hometown banks,” said Izzo. “They actually pay attention.”
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News.
Last week, the Lee County Board of County Commissioners voted 4 to 1 to overturn longstanding height restrictions due to a storm “resilience” initiative and a need for the rebuilding of the South Seas Resort on Captiva.
“We were very, very disappointed with the 4-1 vote to move that forward,” said James Evans, CEO of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation, which advocates for the islands and manages 2,100 acres of coastal lands. They presented over 13,000 signatures against the changes, 6,000 of which where from across Lee County.
Evans said that it was incredible that density and building heights were increased in what is defined as a Coastal High Hazard area in the “guise of resiliency.”
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Police & Fire.
Woman leaves child in car to swim with sharks off Bokeelia, Boca Grande Fire Department marine unit responds The Boca Grande Fire Department had to make their way all the way to Bokeelia on Monday, Sept. 11 after a call came in regarding a female who had left her young child in the car to […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, Featured News.
A parcel on Placida Road, with an empty 1920s cottage just south of the Hacienda condominiums and across from Cape Haze Resort, may have a new owner.
The property was originally listed on the commercial real estate website Loopnet as an 11-acre waterfront development site and offered at $2,750,000. It had been listed by Sunmark Realty Agent Sage Andress, and is now marked as “under contract.” Andress, reached by email, was not able to talk about the sale until “all deals are closed.”
The parcel, also advertised as 8019 and 8436 Placida Road, includes a historic bungalow that has had an extensive history discussion on the Placida/Cape Haze Memories Facebook page. 8019 Placida was advertised at 4.22 acres, and 8436 Placida was advertised at 3.12 acres.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
Marc Vee discovered his love of music when he was not much more than 7 years old. His mix of classical, rock, jazz and a few other styles of guitar music can be heard at least weekly at the Key Lime Bistro in downtown Boca Grande.
Marc’s interest in music was originally piqued when his parents bought him a Sears Silvertone electric guitar when he was 7. The guitar case had a built-in amplifier and it was great for making lots of noise … probably more than his parents bargained for. Marc knew nothing at that point about playing, but that did not keep him from working at it.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, Obituaries.
Donna High Adams passed away peacefully after a long illness on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023 at her home in Birmingham, Ala. surrounded by her loving family and friends. Donna was born January 29, 1959 in Rockland County, N.Y. She moved to Columbus, Miss. in 1975. She is a 1977 graduate of Heritage Academy and she […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum (GIMM) and Whidden’s captains had a great tarpon season! We hosted two “Howl At Moon“ tournaments, and William Woodroffe hosted two more tarpon tournaments to benefit GIMM this past season. Each tournament was a “grande’ success, and a portion of each tournament entry included a donation to […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The summer has been an active season at the Boca Grande Community Center, and that will continue through the fall. Here are some highlights of what has happened and what is to come at the Boca Grande Community Center, 131 First Street West: Summer Camp Lee County Parks & Recreation staff wrapped […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The newly-replanted Gilchrist median was thriving. Red tide was still a problem along island beaches. TEN YEARS AGO The mere mention of the Gilchrist median at the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board set off an hour-long conversation that ended, once again, with no results other than to show how divided island residents […]