Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News, Real Estate.
Above, 2023 renderings of the Fishery project. Beacon archives Project has an approved site plan Plans for an on-island sales office for the Fishery development in Placida are reportedly taking shape, although the project’s developer and ownership is not yet discussing them publicly. There has been buzz that the project plans to use the former […]
Written by Brent McConnell on . Posted in Columns.
BY BRENT MCCONNELL In 2008, I was the U.S. national security lead for technology transfer to China. Long before the Beijing Olympics opened, many requests for advanced technology export licenses for cameras built to watch crowds and identify faces landed on my desk. The requests said they were for Olympic security. Fair enough, I thought. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Englewood Sailing Association taught 63 new students the basics of sailing at its three summer camp events. TEN YEARS AGO Lee County proposed a roadway improvement project for 6.5 miles of roads in Boca Grande, plus the addition of a 4-foot shoulder to both sides of Gasparilla Road. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO A […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Upcoming meetings relating to Gasparilla Island: The Lee County Board of Commissioners will meet next at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18 in the Old County Courthouse Commission Chambers at 2120 Main St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. The agenda is available in advance of the meeting at leecofl.portal.civicclerk.com/ The Boca Grande Fire Department will hold […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Department will be hosting its annual Island Emergency Operations Center Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. at the station. They will review and update hurricane policy and procedure. If you cannot attend, please send an alternate person from your organization.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Arnold Sayer Rapoport, M.D., passed peacefully on Monday August 3, 2026, at the age of 91, at his home in Cornwall, VT. Born in Philadelphia, PA, he lived most of his life in Upstate New York, though in later years he enjoyed splitting his time between residences in Boca Grande, FL, Cornwall, VT and Schroon […]
Gasparilla Island Magazine is the magazine of Boca Grande. Published bimonthly since 2013, it covers not only the surrounding islands of Cape Haze and Gasparilla, but Southwest Florida. Below, some of our archival issues, in reverse order. September/October 2026 issue Resort deals, July/August 2026 The July/August 2026 edition takes readers around Florida and back through […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY BARRIER ISLAND PARKS Editor’s Note: This is one of six weekly wildlife articles submitted by the Barrier Island Parks Society to raise awareness about the issues facing our island communities. This week, Charlotte Harbor sharks. Charlotte Harbor is the second-largest open-water estuary in Florida, covering over 270 square miles. It also has a watershed […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Capt. Frederic ‘Fred’ E. Scott has cast out his last line in Boca Grande waters. He passed away on June 10, 2026 at the age of 85, and joins many of the island’s legendary fishing guides in a place where the tarpon never throw a hook and the snapper are plentiful. He was born October […]
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BOCA GRANDE SEA TURTLE ASSOC. As of July 31, Gasparilla Island was at the halfway point of the May-October sea turtle nesting season. As of Wednesday, August 5, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association (BGSTA) has documented 584 nests (574 loggerhead and 10 green), from the north end of the island down […]