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FEMA deadline for assistance is Jan. 7

The deadline to apply for residential FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton and Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025.  Some Gasparilla Island residents report having applied for damages if they were not insured for flooding. While the amount was but a fraction of actual damages to the floor level area of a condo in […]

Disaster Fund continues to help businesses, non-profits

Over $3.4 million collected so far The Island Disaster Fund, with over $3.4 million in collected donations, continues to distribute money to island businesses and non-profits. “If we hadn’t had the fund, I can tell you truthfully there are eight to 12 businesses that would not have reopened,” said Larry Hannah, one of the organizers […]

Island businesses (heart) BG recovery

Businesses not yet open are still prepping storefronts. Matt from Wrap King of North Port was out putting a “We (HEART) Boca Grande” sign on the window of J.McLauglin on Tuesday.  Photos by Garland 

3rd Street Bistro work continues

Work continues in the renovation of the yet un-officially named 3rd Street Bistro at 210 E. Railroad Ave. There is no official word on the opening; plans for the building were approved by the Boca Grande Historic Preservation board in August. The building was the home of Mimi’s 3rd Street Bistro before they reopened South […]

New emergency plan adopted on Tues.

The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a resolution adopting the Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Lee County’s plan must be revised and adopted on an ongoing basis. It is written to be consistent with requirements in the Florida Administrative Code and established standards by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the […]

No fluoride added to island water, ever

A new statewide push by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo to discourage the fluoridation of Florida water will not affect residents of Boca Grande and Cape Haze, as the water here is not fluoridated. “We do not add fluoride and never have,” said Gasparilla Island Water Association Executive Director Ron Bolton. Bolton told the […]

Rental market quickly recovering after storm cancellations, rebooks

The season may have started a little less busy due to hurricane destruction; however, this appears to be good news for last-minute renters.  Parlsey Baldwin has had an influx of rental bookings this week for March and April, said Rental Manager Casey Alderman.  “October and November definitely hurt us, because there was no rebooking anything,” […]

Island says goodbye to Kennedy-era Health Clinic Annex building

Demolition of the Boca Grande Health Clinic Annex building, located at 280 Park Avenue, began on November 25, marking the start of a promising new chapter for healthcare on the island. The decision to expedite the demolition came after the annex sustained extensive damage from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  The demolition paves the way for […]

Blue letter box must wait ‘til Post Office returns

There is no word on the opening date of the Boca Grande Post Office. In addition, the blue USPS letter box across the street, the island’s only post box, has also disappeared. Residents, who now must pay a toll to go off island to Placida to pick up their mail, also have to go off […]

GUEST ESSAY: This hunter remains circumspect after 10-point buck ‘attack’

BY GARY MARTIN It has just come to our attention that an elderly, but highly experienced, deer hunter was attacked earlier today, within his own home, by a 10-point whitetail buck. The hunter was knocked nearly unconscious but rallied to subdue the enraged buck. It’s been speculated that, because the rut has started, the animal […]