Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.
Change can be difficult to accept, especially in the last few years when progress seems to be accelerating and changes are everywhere all over the Cape Haze Peninsula. One thing that has not changed – at least not yet – is a little family home at the back of Eldred’s Marina. You might have missed it all this time if you’ve only been to the main parking area, but when you see it, you’ll never forget it.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission FWC), cane toads are reddish-brown to grayish-brown, with a light-yellow or beige belly and can be uniform in color or have darker markings around the body. They have enlarged glands behind the eyes, which angle downward onto the shoulders. The glands secrete a potent milky-white toxin (bufotoxin) as defense against predators – including domestic pets. Cane toads generally range in size from six to nine inches in length. They can be confused with the native southern toad, however; adult cane toads are much larger than adult southern toads, which only grow to a maximum of approximately three or four inches. Cane toads do not have ridges across the head, as seen in the southern toad.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History, News.
In 1992 Charlotte County decided to put a public boat ramp on a strip of property they owned along the old railroad bed in Placida. It was an old rail siding that was abandoned when the rail line shut down, and the County had acquired ownership of the property after the train stopped running. The County had built the fishing pier on the old trestle, and this would provide parking for the pier as well as a boat ramp. The property was on the west side of what is now the walk path to the pier, and adjacent to the Mercury Marine test facility. Mercury got wind of it, and they didn’t want people launching boats and parking beside their operation, so they offered to trade the current site of the public ramp for the strip adjacent to their property. Why not just pass that headache to someone else? The County took them up on the proposal and built a boat ramp right beside Eldred’s Marina, then started giving away what the marina was charging for. Now the County was in direct competition with a local business, but they were providing the service for free. Private businesses can’t compete with that.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Dorothy S. Gibson, of Frostproof, passed away on August 14, 2022, in her home surrounded by family. Dotty was born on December 1, 1929 in Deland to Albert A. Sullivan (deceased) and Edith Carter Sullivan (deceased). She later relocated with her family to Vero Beach, where she finished high school. She then attended Agnes Scott […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News.
May through October is the official sea turtle nesting season in Southwest Florida. During these months, adult female sea turtles make an amazing journey home to nest and lay eggs on the very beach where they were hatched 20 to 30 years before. Barrier Islands located in Cayo Costa, Don Pedro, Gasparilla and Stump Pass Florida State Parks are vital habitats for returning sea turtles to nest and lay eggs. Currently Cayo Costa State Park has 548 nests/16,132 hatchlings and Gasparilla Island State Park has 57 nests/1,563 hatchlings. The most common nesting sea turtle on the Southwest Florida coast is the loggerhead, but other, rarer species have also been documented, including Kemps ridley and the green sea turtle.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Ray grew up in Cuba in the 1950s and early 60s but was forced to flee the country as his father became more and more involved in the fight to bring freedom and prosperity to all the people of Cuba. Initially, this put him and his family in the crosshairs of Fulgencio Batista, and eventually in those of Fidel Castro, as well.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Samuel A. Dixon, of Englewood, passed away Friday, August 12, 2022, with his family by his side. Sam was born in Richmond, Va., on September 30, 1963 to James O. Dixon (deceased) and Marian C. Dixon. Sam had four brothers: Tim, Tom, Sylvester and Andy, and five sisters: Eva Kate, Kathy, Becky, Ruth and Sarah, […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
Lee Commissioners award contract for new shade structures at 10 Parks & Recreation facilities To the Editor: The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted Tuesday to award a contract for new shade structures at 10 Lee County Parks & Recreation facilities. The $1.3 million contract with Florida-based Industrial Shadeports, Inc. is to install shade structures […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Sanibel and Gasparilla Island are among the top spots for snook fishing in Florida this fall! Snook is one of the all-time favorite species of inshore anglers. And considering they are outstanding fighters as well as a delicious meal, that is no surprise. To ensure healthy populations fishing, for snook is limited, […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.
The December report listed the reason for the dragonfly joining the list of threatened species as follows: “The destruction of wetlands is driving the decline of dragonflies worldwide … Their decline is symptomatic of the widespread loss of marshes, swamps and free-flowing rivers they breed in, mostly driven by the expansion of unsustainable agriculture and urbanization around the world.”