Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
This week, even more businesses reopened across the island after Hurricane Milton. As businesses reopen across the island, we are all striving for routine. Stop in & say hi! BGHC Foundation’s Cannon Jones & Yuliy Fedorshyn; BGHC Karen Harrison-Trent, Dr. Bret Kueber, Cara Onofrio, Lindsay Dalton & Jonna Foos; Kappy’s Kathy Tressler, Hunter Burchell, Richie […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Lee County is working through a long list of road repairs on the side streets of Gasparilla Island. Currently, Lee County DOT has assessed all the damaged areas of roadways on Boca Grande and is preparing bids for the repair of the side streets, with work potentially beginning in less than two weeks. These repairs […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
First-hand account of Helene escape one of many local stories BY BARBARA HUGHES Editor’s Note: Local gallery owner Barbara Hughes was one of the ‘lucky’ ones who came through Helene as it moved through Appalachia. She wrote this essay just after the storm; it is one of dozens of firsthand stories of locals who were […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
The island Disaster Fund, set up to help local businesses and institutions recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, has now raised over $2.4 million toward a $3 million goal. The fund, which is run through Lighthouse United Methodist Church and has been supported by over 232 donors (as of Thursday) across the island and the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
An Inauguration ceremony for three members elected to the Lee Board of County Commissioners will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 19, at 8:30 a.m., in the Commission Chambers of the Old Lee County Courthouse, 2120 Main St., Fort Myers. A reception will follow at 9 a.m., and the regularly scheduled board meeting will begin at […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to award a contract for the design of the restoration of two waterfront parks on Fort Myers Beach that were heavily damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022. The contract with Fort Myers-based Johnson Engineering includes: The project will be funded through several sources, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Board of Charlotte County Commissioners gave an update on Boca Grande and Placida piers at its regular meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 22. Tommy Scott, Charlotte County Community Services director, said that while the Boca Grande pier had significant damage from Hurricane Helene, there was exponentially greater damage from Hurricane Milton. The Placida fishing pier […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
A disaster fund to help some island businesses get back up and running quickly after two hurricanes is now at $2 million in cash and commitments, with a $3 million goal. Last week the fund was $1.5 million. “Each day when I go to the mailbox there are 10 to 20 checks in there,” said […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, Sports & Outdoors.
Last week, the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners, in a post-Hurricane Milton meeting, discussed the status of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier and the Placida Fishing Pier, both currently closed. Like Lee County’s beaches and our state parks, much of the area’s park infrastructure is closed, damaged and in need of restoration. (See story on […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Fund still taking donations An island Disaster Fund set up to help local businesses and institutions recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has raised over $1.5 million in just a few weeks. “We still have a goal of $3 million,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, of Lighthouse United Methodist Church, which is administering the fund. “We […]