Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To all residents of Boca Grande: I know that all of the bridge users are anxious to drive on the new bridge, and from the surface the bridge appears to be ready for traffic. What you don’t see is the behind-the-scenes complex mechanical testing. The current testing is to ensure the longevity of all mechanical […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
During this year of record Florida tourism, Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are announcing exciting upgrades to their real-time beach monitoring tool – giving visitors and residents improved resources to plan a safe and fun day at the beach. Mote’s Beach Conditions Reporting System (BCRS) provides twice-daily online updates on conditions at 27 of Florida’s […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUE ERWIN – The new swing bridge is still going through functionality testing as of press time, so residents and visitors shouldn’t expect it to be traveling on it until at least next week. “It’s just not ready yet. We just had a construction meeting and the engineers are still testing the electrical aspects […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – When you go to leave the island next Tuesday, Dec. 15, you’ll be getting a whole new perspective from a lot higher up. That’s because you’ll be driving on our brand-new swing bridge. According to Kathy Banson-Verrico, executive director of the Gasparilla Island Bridge, that is the day they are shooting for […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
SUBMITTED BY MOTE MARINE LABORATORY & AQUARIUM – Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to welcome Dr. Ryan Schloesser, a postdoctoral scientist who will be working with the Fisheries Ecology & Enhancement Program to help develop and test responsible stock enhancement technology to help restore depleted snook populations and advance knowledge about wild snook stocks as […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – On Tuesday, Dec. 1 at around noon motorists had what some would refer to as a “bonding moment” when the new swing bridge, which was being tested by engineers, failed to swing shut. No traffic could cross the old bridge for approximately 90 minutes. Some drivers stayed in their vehicles and […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUSAN ERWIN The traffic shift to the new bridge is planned for December and will be done in phases, according to GIBA Executive Director Kathy Banson-Verrico, and machinery testing is currently in progress in preparation for the big event. In the first phase, “off-island traffic will exit over the new bridge and on-island […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority held their quarterly board meeting on Wednesday. Items on the agenda included an explanation of swing bridge change orders, an update on the southern roadway construction project and a review of the 2015 fiscal year audit.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: Mote Marine Laboratory scientists in Southwest Florida and others along Florida’s Gulf Coast are closely monitoring counts of red tide algae, after noting low-level increases of these algae cells in multiple seawater samples during the past two weeks. K. brevis, the single-celled, harmful algae that causes Florida red tide, occurs naturally in […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Attention, South Gulf Cove cyclists! I’m constantly seeing your posts about how far you rode and, quite frankly, I think you’re insane. Here’s your challenge: For the week of September 21 through September 28 you need to post your mileage to my Facebook page. For every 50 miles you log as a […]