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Gettin’ some weathah down heah! Yikes!

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.

Weather was the top story this week, as we went from sweltering hot with little rain to some decent storms and rainfall. There were even a few tense moments on Father’s Day morning when the phone alerts were going off everywhere, as a tornado warning was issued for our area. We got a lot of rain that morning, enough to fill the ditches along Gasparilla Road heading into town.

On Tuesday night the skies were illuminated at the south end of the Cape Haze Peninsula by a fire that originated near the old quarry in Rotonda Meadows (once called Rotonda Trace). It was just across a small canal from homes on the south end of the South Gulf Cove neighborhood. The cause of that fire was a lightning strike.

Red Gill finishes the tarpon season, Boca Blue takes the win

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.

The magic number was three for the 2023 Red Gill Invitational Tarpon Tournament, as three tarpon were released and three anglers took the top prize in the tournament. Capt. Sandy Melvin, Bob Melvin and Jeri Smith won first place on the “Boca Blue,” Melvin’s first win of the season. The team is shown in the photo above, with Capt. Sandy wearing the “King of the Dock” chapeau.

One local real estate agent tells the tale of life after Hurricane Ian

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community.

Anyone who has ever been in a disaster situation has the wherewithal to know what to do when it is safe to check out their surroundings. Many people were in that boat on September 28, 2022, the day Hurricane Ian winds and rain forced their way through every nook, cranny and crack in the buildings of Southwest Florida and into our collective memories. 

There were many memories made during that time – some good and some bad – but the ones that stand out in many people’s minds are of the people who helped so much.  

This tale is about just two of those people who made such a difference in so many lives. They are real estate agents Kevin Hyde and his wife Nancy, who are known to many on the island.

Cellphone tower update …

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.

The Boca Grande Cell Tower Committee has been in communication with representatives from Vertical Bridge, the aerial telecommunication tower company that is installing our new permanent cell tower, who have said that everything is on schedule for the tower to be stacked by the end of August. Steve Raville, a member of the committee, said […]

Saying goodbye to Father Carosella won’t be easy

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Community History.

Fr. Jerome Carosella has been the pastor of Boca Grande’s Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church for more than half of the time he has been a priest. He was ordained 60 years ago and has been pastor on the island for 35. 

He is Boca Grande’s pastor, no matter what church one might call home. He has been a fixture on the island for longer than most residents. And now he is retiring, which also means he will no longer be living at the rectory on West Railroad Avenue.

She never ceases to amaze us:

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community.

Artist Carroll Swayze’s work has been showcased in some of the most exclusive settings around the country – maybe around the world – and her marine life works have a color palette and style that can be recognized in an instant. For those of you who can’t fit another piece on your walls, though, you have a new way to appreciate it … by wearing it.

41 turtle lighting complaints since March

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

Since March, 41 sea turtle lighting complaints have been logged with Lee County Code Enforcement. Of those 41, all but two (which were closed and voided) were sent notices and no violations were issued. Addresses include many on Shore Lane, Gulf Boulevard, Gilchrist Avenue, Palm Avenue and a few beach access streets. The majority of […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Rev. Daphne Johnson

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

“God is always doing something new,” she went on. “We are excited to see what God has in store for us as we serve together in ministry. Frank and I have had Lighthouse Methodist Church and all of Boca Grande in our prayers, and we hope people on the island will have us in their prayers as well, as we all go through this time of transition.”