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Spring fishing is blooming now

March was windy, as we expected. Will it calm down for April as advertised? God only knows. Whatever the wind is doing, spring fishing is fantastic. Local waters are currently clear of red tide. Our water will clear up if winds back down and sand settles out of suspension. They are dredging Stump Pass now, […]

Big Red Bus arrives in Boca Grande April 24 

Donating blood saves lives. We all intrinsically know this. However, according to the American Red Cross, less than three percent of age-eligible individuals donate blood each year. The Boca Grande Health Clinic is sponsoring a blood donation event on April 24, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The Big Red Bus will be parked on […]

Boca Grande beach access updated at Lee meeting

During the Tuesday, April 1 Lee Board of County Commissioners meeting, Assistant County Manager Christine Brady gave an update on Gasparilla Island beach accesses.  At the end of March, Lee County Parks and Recreation opened the 19th Street paddle craft launch as well as beach accesses on 1st, 3rd, 10th, 11th, 12th, 14th, 17th and […]

No way out at State Park entrance

A golf cart got stuck as it attempted to exit the closed construction site at Gasparilla Island State Park. The cart was seen moving around Saturday night in the closed area. Reports from Lee County Sheriff’s Office were not available at presstime. The park is currently closed for a beach renourishment project. Photo by Cheryl

J.McLaughlin to feature Clyde Butcher for Everglades group

J.McLaughlin dedicates a day and collection to the Everglades every year. Each store is asked to do something special for the state-wide event and this year the Boca Grande store will feature acclaimed landscape photographer Clyde Butcher. “I’ve been a huge fan of Clyde Butcher for years,” said Caroline Farrington, manager of Boca Grande’s J.McLaughlin. […]

Island shows up for Captains for Clean Water event

Captains for Clean Water held a meeting at the Boca Bay Beach Club Monday afternoon, March 31 with 90 Boca Grande attendees. The event was hosted by Chandler Converse, Jim (Hooter) Hoyt, Peter Hellman, Chris Keller, Scott Hudspeth and Rich Weber. Capt. Daniel Andrews, co-founder of Captains, shared a bit about the organization and took […]

Volley from grass of Wimbledon to Florida

Hank Irvine There’s tennis royalty living just off the Gasparilla Causeway in Cape Haze. He would laugh at that description of himself, but then he laughs easily. Hank Irvine has been playing tennis his whole life and has qualified for Wimbledon three times, once getting to the semifinals in mixed doubles play, earning him a […]

Deborah ‘Deb’ Hazzard Nash 1941-2025

With grace, wisdom, and an unshakable spirit, Deborah “Deb” Hazzard Nash, age 91, died peacefully on March 17, 2025. Deb was the beloved daughter of Vance Alexander Hazzard and Louise Seidel Hazzard. She grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and attended Friends Central School before heading to Mount Holyoke College. It was there that […]

Sellout of Florida racetracks for slots would ruin horse racing

Above, Ocala Stud, in a photo by Louise Rienagel BY DAVID O’FARRELL Through nearly 70 years and three generations, my family’s Ocala Stud Farm has poured heart, soul and heavy reinvestment into Florida’s racing industry. My grandfather put Florida-bred horses on the national stage and proved you could raise Derby winners and champions outside Kentucky. […]