Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Profiles.
‘P’ for pickleball, and ‘B’ for Boca Grande Above, Julie Horning with husband Dan and parents Craig and Mary Welch. Photo submitted Fresh off her children’s book about Boca Grande, Julie Horning has now come out with a sequel about the exploding trend of pickleball, a sport she routinely dismissed until she moved to a […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY KATHY BANSON The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s responsibility covers the 2.3-mile causeway corridor, including bridges, beginning at the Placida Road traffic light and continuing onto Boca Grande to the start of the Charlotte County portion of Gasparilla Road. All toll revenues are dedicated exclusively to maintaining and improving this critical transportation link. As we […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Several people were spearfishing at the end of Belcher Road and were confronted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. TEN YEARS AGO The Barrier Island Parks Society announced that it had received final written approval from the United States Coast Guard to commence “rehabilitation of the Gasparilla Island Rear Range […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
The sale of 370 Park Avenue closed on Aug. 28. The Lee County Clerk reported that as of Aug. 28, the Miami-based Project Fishery LLC had purchased the property from Purple Cow 82 LLC of Winnetka, Ill. The amount listed under deed consideration was $2.3 million, according to a warranty deed filed by the clerk […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, News, Police & Fire.
The Firehouse 5K, put on by the Boca Grande Fire Department, is planned for Saturday, Nov. 7, followed by the Big Mouth Chili Cookoff. The run will begin and end near The Pink Elephant at 491 Bayou Ave. The course passes the Gasparilla Inn before heading down Gilchrist Avenue. On the day of the event, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Entertainment, News.
The Englewood community has announced that Linda Stevens will be the Grand Marshal of the 2026 Pioneer Days Parade, honoring her decades of dedication to Englewood, local traditions, charitable causes and community service. Stevens has been a familiar and beloved part of Englewood for many years. In 1985, she opened Stevens the Florist, located at […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
At Tuesday’s regular Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting, the last reappointment was made for the upcoming cycle of term expirations for the Boca Grande Parking Committee. During the Committee Appointments section of the meeting, Commissioner Kevin Ruane reappointed Boo Gemes to the committee. There are four members of the committee with a term […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY Editor’s Note: This installment is the last of a six-week series on local wildlife provided by the Barrier Island Parks Society. These articles aim to foster community awareness regarding regional environmental challenges. In the late 1800s, snook became known as soapfish (not the true soapfish species) because cooking it in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Claire Bissell, age 95, passed away of natural causes on August 27, 2026 at her home in Boca Grande. She was an Active Boca Grande Community volunteer, working closely with The Woman’s Club, Art Alliance, Yacht Club and the Catholic Church. Claire was a woman of grace and beauty. She was the matriarch of her […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Police & Fire, Profiles.
New at the Boca Grande Fire Department A 35-year-old former Marine, Dylan Mitchell is beginning a new chapter with the Boca Grande Fire Department after eight years in Sarasota County’s fire service. Though he was born in Florida, Mitchell has actually spent much of his life on the West Coast of the country. “I was […]