Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Green sea turtle nesting is happening later into the season than usual, but Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association volunteers are hopeful there are still a few more new nests before the season officially closes on October 31. As of September 14, the Association reported 725 Caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtle nests on […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve had a drink at the Boca Bay Pass Club bar over the past several years, you would most likely recognize the friendly face of bartender Jeff Ash. Jeff has worked at the Pass Club for the past ten years, alongside his wife, Janette, also a bartender at the club. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
■ SUBMITTED BY BETTY STAUGLER UF/IFAS EXTENSION, CHARLOTTE COUNTY This red tide bloom has been trying for everyone. It is hard to see the harsh impacts the bloom has had on our coast, wildlife, and economy. I have been fielding a number of questions about the bloom, its causes and when it might end. See […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ The median on Gilchrist Avenue from 5th Street to 1st Street has been completely replanted now and is looking very fine compared to what it was earlier in the summer. The photo above was from last July, while the photo above right is how it looks this week. You will see the Lee County […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN There’s a new sergeant in town, and he brings a vast amount of experience with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. After 13 years with the organization, Sgt. Cecil Fitch started his position in Boca Grande on July 2, 2018. Originally from Tiffin, Ohio, Cecil worked at American Standard innovative bath and kitchen […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUE ERWIN – Steve and Jill Kaplan, owners of Kappy’s Market at the north end of the island, are opening a new store in town called “Kappy’s Downtown,” and some of its offerings may seem very familiar. “We saw a void when PJ’s closed, and we thought this would be a good opportunity have a […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUE ERWIN – Green sea turtle nesting is happening later into the season than usual, but Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association volunteers are hopeful there are still a few more new nests before the season officially closes on October 31. As of August 31, the Association reported 709 Caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtle nests on […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
BY SUE ERWIN – Phelisha Doggett, a dispatcher at Grande Aire Services for the past five years, caught the first fish at the 2018 Ladies Mix, Match or Draw Tarpon Tournament held in July in Boca Grande Pass. She was invited to fish with a team aboard the Phil-Jack, led by Capt. Matt Coleman. Catching the first […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT – Despite the red tide situation, sea turtle nest numbers are continuing to grow, hatchlings are making their way to the sea, and nest counts are up from this time last year. As of August 24, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association reported 687 Caretta caretta (loggerhead) turtle nests on the island. There […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN Gasparilla Island State Park Administration has a new leader, and he has plenty of experience to help him adjust to his new role. Rick Argo served in the United States Navy for 20 years before joining the Florida State Parks service in 2005. Originally from Roseburg, Oregon, the former chief petty […]