Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority has now entered into two different agreements with local agencies regarding allowances to waive weight restrictions on the Boca Grande Causeway, as of their quarterly board meeting on Tuesday, June 28. Representatives Bill Caldwell and Bonnie Pringle from the Gasparilla Island Water Association came to the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association would like to remind everyone to be cautious this Fourth of July weekend regarding the sea turtle nests and potential hatchlings on the beach. Fireworks and other lights on the beach can disorient nesting adults and hatchlings, and beach trash can interfere with a hatchling’s journey from […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ STAFF REPORT The Barrier Islands Parks Society (BIPS) has obtained a commercial building permit from Lee County for the Gasparilla Island Light, and now the last step will be a final NEPA (National Environmental Protection Act) review. This can take up to two weeks, but according to BIPS Executive Director Sharon McKenzie, “The Coast […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Richard Anderson spent a considerable amount of time in Boca Grande beginning in 1988, when he worked as a planner for Lee County. When he first arrived on the island, he met Robert Johnson, the harbor pilot for Boca Grande. “That was back when Florida Power and Light used to be […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: As everyone is aware, on the afternoon of Saturday, June 18, the Boca Grande Fire Department responded to a call for a missing swimmer at the Range Light. With other similar calls worked into the mix, the operation ended up being extended over the next several days. The Department would like to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
William Harold Buettin, 92, of Naples, died Wednesday morning, June 22, 2016 at Physicians Regional Hospital in Naples, Fla. Mr. Buettin was a native of Marion County, Ohio, son of the late Barney and Mildred Buettin and husband of 67 years to Arline Kraft Buettin, who survives. William served his country in WWII in India […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
Capt. Robert Alexander Melvin III (retired USCG), 78, of Elizabeth City, N.C. died at home Wednesday, June 15, 2016. He was born in Fayetteville, N.C. in 1938 to the late Robert A. Melvin and Eunice Goff Melvin. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Carolyn Johnson Melvin; daughter Janet Melvin Berry and husband […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE As of press time on Thursday, June 23 two bodies have been recovered in the search for a family of four missing in nearby waters, and it’s possible the sailboat has been located as well.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The disappearance of a swimmer off Range Light Beach on Saturday has left many locals and regular visitors pondering whether “safe” beaches are really safe at all. Javier Castro, a 22-year-old man from Cape Coral, disappeared in the water while swimming just off the Florida State Park-maintained beach called Range Light […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Stephanie Taylor and her husband Rodney have spent countless hours exploring the waters around Boca Grande aboard a boat owned by her father, Capt. Dumplin’ Wheeler. The Taylors and their six children are all avid snorkelers who enjoy traveling to different locations and discovering new ways to enjoy the outdoors.