Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News, Police & Fire.
Planning begins to ensure island leadership is ready for hurricanes Leaders of many island organizations gathered Monday to talk about the upcoming hurricane season and working together in the event of future emergency. The event was held at the Boca Grande Fire Department and led by Chief C.W. Blosser. The event began with a report […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The 2024 sea turtle nesting season for Gasparilla Island runs through October 31. Here are some sea turtle season “Do’s and Don’ts” provided by the Florida Park Service. Pets are not permitted on State Park beaches. Sea turtles do not know the difference between a domestic animal and a wild animal. They may perceive a […]
Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Featured News, Health & Wellness, News.
By MARK DRISCOLL As the pace slows down on the Island, the Boca Grande Health Clinic wraps up an extraordinarily busy season marked by record-setting patient engagements. • Patient Visits: We reached a total of 5,394 patient visits from October 2023 to April 2024, a 32 percent increase over last season. • Busiest Month: March […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Multiple local marine units, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to a false mayday call last Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m. The call was reported from five miles west of Gasparilla Island, described as a “verbal mayday call w/o response.” A male voice called for help, and it was reported as a watercraft in […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Charlotte County Parks and Natural Resources is continuing to monitor the seabird nesting colony in front of SeaWatch, off Gulf Shores Drive. Last week, they expanded the fenced-off area to create even more of a buffer between nesting birds and beachgoers. A colony of least terns have nested with eggs, and some have even been […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY The 2024 sea turtle nesting season for Gasparilla Island officially kicked off on May 1, and runs through October 31. Trained Turtle Patrol volunteers with the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association will be out during early morning hours throughout the nesting season, surveying the beach for sea turtle nests, marking […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Boca Grande has a full season of tarpon tournaments, offering different traditions and prizes. “The tournaments are a great tradition,” said Betsy Joiner, president of the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum. “It’s exciting as the weather gets warmer and tarpon start coming out. Everyone gets tarpon fever.” May 11: Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament hosted by the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, News.
Bring home your Derby Hat from Boca Bargains! The store will be closing for the season on Saturday, April 27. Almost everything in the store will be half-price, including clothing, shoes, jewelry, home décor, artwork, furniture, housewares, games, toys and bicycles – even Kentucky Derby hats (pictured above). Store hours on Saturday are 9 a.m. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Charlotte County staff has just posted a seabird nesting colony in front of SeaWatch, off of Gulf Shores Drive. The full season runs from Feb. 15 to Aug. 31; the county marks nesting sites when found. Four least terns were observed nesting with eggs and many more were there courting and mating. Black skimmers were […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab seasons in state and federal waters will close May 2, with the last day of harvest being May 1. This annual season closure is intended to increase the stone crab population and build resiliency in the fishery. Commercially harvested stone crab claws may be possessed and sold during the […]