Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Lee County was notified Friday, July 19, that FEMA will maintain unincorporated Lee County’s CRS rating of 5 and National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) policyholder discounts at this time. FEMA determined unincorporated Lee County residents with policies issued under the program will maintain the discount rate of 25% while the county and FEMA continue to […]
Written by Evan Dunbar on . Posted in Community, News.
Artist Larry Anderson has just finished the last part of a mural for the children’s section in the Johann Fust Library loggia area. In 2022, Anderson was hired by the Johann Fust Library Foundation to paint a mural in what they call Alice’s Secret Garden, inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 children’s novel: “The Secret […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
A “maximum duration of two hours.” That would be the time limit for metered parking in Boca Grande in a draft code change from Lee County, circulated on Monday, May 6, 2024, that would update the Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinances with references to downtown parking. The ordinance was revealed in a Public Records Law document request […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
The big story on our local waterfront currently is the pending Eldred’s Marina sale. Whether this deal goes through or not, the property will change ownership soon. The next generation has a dozen varied desires and the family is ready to move on. God only knows what will happen or when, but I’d like to […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community, Community History, Featured News, News.
BY JAMES BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY On February 10, 1930, the following article appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press: “Plans for a three-story resort hotel at Boca Grande to cost approximately $250,000, have been prepared for Joseph Spadaro, New York owner of considerable property in Fort Myers and Lee County. The plans were prepared […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Wood eaters BEWARE! Thus read the sign on Sunday, July 14, as The Gasparilla Inn was wrapped for termites, in black, by Truly Nolen. The wrap echoed the work of the artist Christo (except for the pink color) and was off by the beginning of the week. The Inn closed July 7, to wrap up […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
In a move to honor its legacy and mark a new chapter in its storied history, Carr Companies has announced that it is rebranding to CarrAmerica. “As we transition to CarrAmerica, we are more committed than ever to building the communities of tomorrow,” said Austin Flajser, president and chief executive officer of CarrAmerica. “Our new […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire, Sports & Outdoors.
A Lee County Sheriff deputy shut down a noisy party boat anchored off the Gasparilla Island State Park beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. The boat was offshore, but it was so loud it ruined the peace for the dozens gathered on the beach. It was also in violation of county ordinances. It is […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
The issue of parking and beach access in Boca Grande is not unique to Gasparilla Island, or even Southwest Florida. University of Virginia historian Prof. Andrew Kahrl studies the social and environmental history of land use, real estate and racial inequality in the U.S., and teaches courses on African American history, real estate and U.S. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Cane toads have been spotted around the island recently. Be sure to differentiate these invasive species from native Florida toads. George Cera, who was the primary iguana hunter in Boca Grande for many years, wanted to remind residents not to kill native toads. One easy way to identify a cane toad is that it has […]