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Profile Mitch Smith

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.

■ BY SUE ERWIN Mitch Smith recalls spending the summer months of his youth at day camp at the Boca Grande Community Center. His father, Myron, worked for a cleaning business on the island for many years. His mother, Janice, worked as a teacher in Charlotte County for many years and now works for the Department of […]

A smooth surface: GICIA bike path resurfacing has begun

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

■ SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA – It has been more than 30 years since the Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) bike path was constructed and opened to the public. In that time, with the community’s generous support, GICIA has continued to beautify the 35 acres of property that creates the gateway to Boca Grande. […]

The Gasparilla Island Act: Part II Building in Boca, and a war of words over the island’s future

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.

■ BY SUSAN HANAFEE Editor’s Note: This is the second in a series of articles about the forces that have shaped development in Boca Grande and on Gasparilla Island. As the tarpon season is getting underway in 1975, a station wagon backs into a gas pump at Millers Marina, rupturing a 5,000-gallon tank. The resulting […]

Bridge scale lane set to reopen Monday

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

■ STAFF REPORT – The installation of the Boca Grande swing bridge’s new scale lane is almost complete, and it is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Aug. 28 at 5:45 a.m. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority originally installed the truck scale in 2000. Removal of the old scale began on Monday, July 31. GIBA Executive Director […]

PROFILE: Karen Kelly

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.

■ BY SUE ERWIN – Known for her smiling face and pleasant manner, Karen Kelley wears many hats at The Island School, where she has been employed since the school started back in 1999. Karen worked in the office that first school year, eventually leading her to other positions as a paraprofessional, creative arts and drama teacher, as […]

‘La Pirate’ has been found

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

A 2002 26’ Glacier Bay boat reportedly stolen from Marina Bokeelia on July 21 has been recovered. The boat, which belongs to Capt. Jack who operates “Capt. Jack’s Boat Tours” in Bokeelia, was docked along with other tour boats behind Capt. Con’s Fish House on Main Street when the owner noticed it was gone at 5 p.m. […]

Obituary Patricia Heisel

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.

Patricia Ann Heisel, 84, died July 30, 2017, at her home at Walloon Lake, Michigan, surrounded by her husband of 61 years and five children, after a brief and brave fight against acute myeloid leukemia. Pat and her husband, William, split their time between Boca Grande and Walloon Lake. Pat enjoyed volunteer work tutoring migrant […]

Letter to the Editor: Many thanks to Dr. Jeff for all of his turtle work

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.

To the Editor: As his time on our island winds down, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association wishes to extend a generous thank you to Dr. Jeff Humbarger for his years of dedicated service to our organization. Dr. Humbarger brought fresh insight along with a tremendous work ethic and enthusiasm to the turtle patrol. Despite […]