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Lee County surpasses recycling rate, becomes one of three counties in Florida to meet goal of 75 percent

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Lee County established an 80 percent recycling rate in 2019, 5 percent higher than the original goal set for 2020. And now Lee County’s recycling participation has increased from the previous recorded rate of 77 percent. The County has recycled approximately 1.8 million tons of the 2.27 million tons of recycled material […]

Renourishment project required equipment staging in Harbor

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- For months, the sight of a barge has interrupted the endless ocean view from the south end of Boca Grande. Since February, a pile of equipment has been an unexplained puzzle to locals.  Many island organizations were unsure of its sudden placement, but local fishermen have spent enough time on the water […]

Obituary: Mary Whiteside

Mary Charlotte Herrington Whiteside, age 90, passed away suddenly on March 8, 2020 due to complications of the Covid-19 virus pandemic in Kirkland, Washington. Unfortunately, she was in a rehabilitation facility recovering from surgery, almost ready to be discharged, when symptoms of the virus came on, as one of the early cases, and was transferred […]

PROFILE: Donna Larson

For Donna, the destination is determined by the journey… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Combing the shoreline of Gasparilla Island, local Turtle Patroller Donna Larson dedicates six months each year to protecting our hatchlings. Born into a southern lifestyle, Donna hardly considers Troy, Michigan her hometown. During her early childhood, she learned to get her hands dirty […]

Second graduation canceled for Class of 2020: Charlotte County makes decision to hold only virtual ceremonies this year

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Local high school students who graduated this past school term were looking forward to normalcy, with plans to hold graduation ceremonies this summer. The ceremonies were postponed from their original dates to wait out the COVID-19 outbreak in the hope that they could conduct traditional but safe graduations thereafter. However, all in-person […]

Some local stores requiring masks after cases increase

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has consistently updated their guidelines regarding preventing the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a face covering continues to be on the list of how to protect yourself and others when in public. On July 3, Hudson’s Grocery posted signs in front of their business and stated […]

Lee County provides online hurricane preparation resources

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- While hurricane season trudges on amid the current pandemic, Lee County is providing new resources for local residents to test their knowledge of hurricane safety. As of July, online hurricane video seminars have been posted on behalf of the County to provide a replacement for the regular in-person seminars. Due to the […]

Hermitage Artist Retreat meets $150,000 matching challenge

STAFF REPORT- Andy Sandberg, Artistic Director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, announced this week that the Hermitage has exceeded its $150,000 matching challenge, raising a total of $302,000 through this campaign in response to COVID-19.  This spring fundraising initiative launched with a generous $100,000 pledge from the Manasota Key-based Cook family on April […]

Feeling crazy and confused? We all are, it’s OK

BY MARCY SHORTUSE- No one expects the Spanish Inquisition. That line from Monty Python keeps running through my head, as I try to sort out the craziness in the world around me. In fact, I could one day realize I’m in the middle of a Monty Python sketch and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit. […]