Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.
Raid sets standards for local retail shopping centers Just before Christmas, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a search warrant of two casino-style businesses that were operating in Charlotte County. One of the establishments was a bingo hall at Tiffany Square on McCall Road. Their video showed Charlotte County […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.
Come February, valentines will be on many people’s minds. For Karen Irvine, a certain type of valentine is on her mind almost all the time. She is an artist who specializes in “sailors’ valentines.” To the uninitiated, a sailor’s valentine is a piece of artwork. The art form originated in the mid-to-late 1800s in Barbados. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Opinion.
When traveling the Causeway, one might admit, if pressed, to playing a game of what song happens to be on the radio. If it is a good song (and a particularly good view of the water and sunset), it is a good moment, and one might actually turn up the volume. This Christmas season, the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Laurence DeFrance, age 79, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2023. He was born October 3, 1944 in New York, the son of Margaret and Professor Joseph J. DeFrance. Laurence (“Larry”) grew up alongside his extended family and attended Garden City High School, where he made lifelong friends. As a Little League Yankee All-Star, baseball […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
By MICHELLE STARR On a morning drive over the Boca Causeway, I get a true bird’s eye view of Little Gasparilla Pass, the sandbar and local water clarity and condition. The high winds over the last several days have made the water very messy, so while coming over the Causeway Sunday morning, I spotted a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
For over 50 years, Suncoast Humane Society has helped tens of thousands of animals live happier, safer and healthier lives. On November 9, 2023, among community leaders, Suncoast supporters Peter and Elsa Soderberg made a milestone contribution to the SHS capital campaign and announced the naming of the new SHS campus for the Soderbergs. “This […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
On December 20, 2023, members of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a legal search warrant of two casino-style businesses that were operating in Charlotte County. Deputies removed slot machines from two businesses, including a bingo parlor in Englewood. Below, a video press release from Sheriff Bill Prummell.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Society.
Barrier Island Parks Society hosted the evening Dec. 9, 2023. The crowd was welcomed by Scott Feringa and Sharon McKenzie. The evening proved to be a festive time as many attendees arrived to celebrate the lighting of the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse. The friends gathered, sang carols and enjoyed the sights of the season. Shown […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
It was just over a year ago that 16-year-old Penelope Griggs Doerge, called “Penny” by her family and friends, died at home in Glen Cove, N.Y. of a common but exceedingly difficult genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis. The disorder causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. There is no cure. In the year […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.
It didn’t take long for Dr. Patrick Bell to fall in love with Boca Grande and all of Gasparilla Island. He came for a weekend visit, and by the third day, he had bought a house and decided this would be his permanent home. That was in 1994. The local real estate agent was actually […]