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Island Sheriff’s Office substation moves to Community Center

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE After 15 years of having an office in the Boca Grande Fire Department, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office is moving out. According to Sheriff’s Office representatives, the substation has relocated from 360 E. Railroad Ave. to the Boca Grande Community Center, located at 131 1st St. W. “The new substation will […]

Profile: Tom Tirpak

■ BY SUE ERWIN Tom Tirpak has been in the restaurant business since he was 16 years old. He grew up in Philadelphia, Pa. and attended high school in New Jersey. After he graduated, he earned an associate of science degree in culinary arts at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. “I went […]

Sea turtle nest numbers remain the same as last week

■ BY SUE ERWIN The most recent turtle nest update provided by the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association remains the same as last week, indicating that the end of nesting season is near. The season officially end on October 31. If you are interested in volunteering next season, find out more details on the BGSTA Facebook […]

Obituary: Don Ward

Don Ward, 76, a year-round Boca Grande resident, passed away Saturday doing what he loved – casting on the beach in the early evening. Born in 1942 on Long Island, New York to Harold and Olga Ward, Don was destined to fall in love with all things marine-related. His father and his uncle were the […]

Profile: Stephanie Shirback

There’s a friendly new first grade teacher at The Island School this year, and her classroom is colorful and full with resources. Stephanie Shirback has replaced former TIS teacher Tammy Tieu. Stephanie is no stranger to Boca Grande. She’s been visiting the island since she was a kid. Originally from Massachusetts, she moved to Englewood […]

Fire Control District millage rate and budget approved

■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Fire Control District held its annual budget expenditures meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 18 at 360 E. Railroad Ave. C.W. Blosser, Braxton Bowen, Mark Spurgeon, Richard Hugger, Nancy Coleman and Wendy Upton were present at the meeting. The District tentatively adopted a measure to increase its property tax levy […]

Turtle patrol rescues sick pelican, saves baby turtle stuck in roots

■ BY SUE ERWIN Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association patroller Denise Drago Juergens went above and beyond her regular duties caring for the turtles one morning last week. She discovered a pelican in extreme distress during her morning walk near the The Boca Grande Club. Denise immediately sprung into action, engaging the Boca Grande Fire Department, […]

Obituary: William J. Reinert

William J. Reinert, 74, of Chadds Ford, Pa. and formerly of Mantoloking, N.J., passed away on September 9, 2019. He was a graduate of the Sanford School and St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia. He played varsity basketball while briefly attending the University of Delaware. Bill began his career as an assistant on the corporate bond […]

Profile: Evan Merritt

■ BY SUE ERWINEvan Merritt has been coming to Little Gasparilla Island since he was a baby. His parents would come here on the weekends and for several weeks each summer. “We used to rent places in Englewood and on Little Gasparilla Island and that’s when I first started making contacts in Boca Grande,” Evan said.His […]

Historic Preservation Board has further discussion on potential code enforcement exemptions for downtown area

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE – The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board had a discussion regarding the code enforcement complaints that occurred in the last few months at their meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 11. Board member Becky Paterson led the discussion, after it was mentioned at last month’s meeting that she draft a letter to possibly ask […]