Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Just 50 miles from the east coast of Florida rest the western islands of The Bahamas, an archipelagic state that has consistently thrived off of tourism and fishing until the pandemic created a domino effect on the economy and public safety. According to USA Today, over 590,000 boaters frequented The Bahamas during … Continue reading Bahamas reopen for fishing, Gasparilla Island boat traffic still heavy
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: Lee County Government will close its current application window for its LeeCARES Small Business Relaunch Assistance Program at 5 p.m. Friday, June 19. The county anticipates reopening the application process on June 22, subject to availability of funds. County staff will continue to assess and process the nearly 2,200 applications received since … Continue reading LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lee County’s Small Business Relaunch Assistance Program application window to close Friday
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: On behalf of our crew of anglers, I would like to thank Robin and Sandy Melvin of Gasparilla Outfitters & Special Effects for organizing the 2020 Ladies Night Out Howl at the Moon Invitational, and to Whidden’s Marina for hosting the awards ceremony. Our group of lifelong friends, originally from Arcadia, will […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: The past few months have proven to be anything but ordinary. Our day to day lives have been shifted and thrown off-kilter. During this time of uncertainty and unknowns, I hope that the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office has been a place for you to find accurate and precise information, leaving you feeling … Continue reading LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Charlotte Sheriff looks forward to better times
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
William Lee Bentley, Jr., Bill to all his family and friends, passed away peacefully on June 6, 2020 from ALS. He was at his home surrounded by his loving family, which was so important to him. Bill was born to William Lee Bentley and Ruth Glass Balogh on April 5th, 1953 at Wright-Patterson Air Force […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Profiles.
A passion for learning drives him to write… BY MARCY SHORTUSE- When having a conversation with Eliot Vestner, one of the first things you notice is the quiet assertiveness in his voice and a gentle demeanor. Within minutes you realize this is a man who is much more comfortable talking about anything but himself. For […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- The weather was suited more for the fish than the anglers, but even with torrential rain and storms the 2020 Quarantine Classic yielded 70 tarpon released over two days, and Capt. Charlie Coleman and his team aboard Casuarina taking top honors. The team that included Emily and Howard Wise, Nick Wenzel and … Continue reading Capt. Charlie takes first- and belt buckle- in Quarantine Classic
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- Work will soon begin on a new parish hall for the Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, as the project was approved unanimously by the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board at their monthly meeting on Wednesday, June 10. After a short introduction by Father Jerome Carosella, a slideshow presentation was given by … Continue reading Historic Preservation Board votes in Catholic Church project
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- Prior to 2020, many local kids (and their parents) looked forward to the beginning of summer camp, which is held at the Boca Grande Community Center and usually starts the week after school ends. This year, though, things are different. It’s not as simple to drop your child off with a kiss … Continue reading Summer Camp starts this week: How has it changed since COVID came to town?
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
STAFF REPORT- Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. (GIWA) will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its Placida and Boca Grande potable (drinking water) water supply. From June 15 at 8 a.m. through July 27, GIWA will disinfect the water with free chlorine rather than combined chlorine/ammonia (chloramines). This conversion to chlorine (which is a […]