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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: John Sherman, on Boca Grande and the Kansas City Royals

“We have to think about the future” he said. “It’s a little bit down the road, but we are certainly starting to do the exploratory discussions with real estate people and public officials. Our lease goes to 2030, so we have to get something done by then, but it could be earlier than that. We are just in the early stages. A big project like that will take three or four years to design and build anyway, but you can’t start too early because if you wait too long problems can occur.”

GUEST EDITORIAL: It’s been … a year

It’s been a year. A year of highs and lows, leaving us with a broader appreciation for this journey we are on and those with whom we choose to surround ourselves. Although we may stumble sometimes, it’s important that we muster up the courage to get back up again. As a community, we have done that together. Charlotte County has strengthened its resolve in the wake of Hurricane Ian, and we at CCSO have been overwhelmed by the support you showed us following Deputy Taylor’s passing. I cannot express to you how much that has meant as we cope with the tragic loss of a brother.

It took a lot of talking, but Boca Grande North is getting cleaned up

This week trucks contracted by the state of Florida came to start taking away the large pile of construction, demolition and household debris at the north end of the island. With the announcement of the trucks’ arrival, it was also determined that the property, long thought to be owned by the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, is actually owned by Boca Grande North.

Will the shrimp boat ever be in again? 

A look at what happened to the Capt. C.J. It seems like almost every day brings us another reason to get really grumpy with the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. Just when it seems like your back hairs aren’t crossed any more, along comes something else to raise your hackles again. The loss of the Capt. […]

Get ready for ‘On Golden Pond’ and the return of the Royal Palm Players next week

“The play’s the thing” is an apt aphorism, but the backstory of how the cast got to the play is a thing in itself. It is instructive of the many routes there are, should you have begun such a journey or would like to begin one. These stories about the cast and crew of “On Golden Pond” greatly enrich an appreciation for each actor’s performance.

The future of Warm Mineral Springs is once again tentative

Last November, North Port’s City Commission reviewed and accepted an unsolicited proposal from WMS Development Group, LLC to repair and restore the current facilities at the Springs, and to add a “Phase 2” development that includes condominiums, health spa and other amenities, by expanding the developed area of the park. 

The green flash: Have you seen it? Do you know what it is?

Watching the sunset in Boca Grande is one of the most favored traditions, whether you live here year-round or just vacation here. Stopping your day to watch that fiery ball hit the Gulf of Mexico, taking in the peace that comes with it … there’s nothing really quite like it. A lot of times when […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Amy McCandless, the lady behind the Facebook persona of Fugate’s during the storm

Island living is her thing. She and her husband Don sold everything they had a number of years ago, bought a boat and planned to see the world from the deck of that boat. They ended up in the Keys when a big hurricane hit (her name starts with “I,” but we will not name her, either). It sunk the boat. The two adventurers returned to Little Gasparilla and have found generous friends whose homes have become their own. 

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: FEMA Announces Special Consideration for Temporary Housing Units in Special Flood Hazard Areas

The use of travel trailers and manufactured housing units are among several temporary housing solutions FEMA may provide Hurricane Ian survivors who cannot safely return to their storm—damaged home. Other options include direct lease and multifamily lease and repair. For Direct Lease, FEMA leases existing ready-for-occupancy housing. Multifamily lease and repair is a program in which FEMA enters into lease agreements with owners of multifamily rental properties and makes repairs to existing vacant apartments to provide temporary housing for survivors.

Why worry about a storm? Just paint

Gail Cleveland featured artist for January at Smart Studio Smart Studio will host artist Gail Cleveland for the month of January, featuring watercolor and acrylics of local scenes. Gail is traditionally a plein air artist but has been sidelined by the hurricane. According to the artist, “Painting has been my salvation from the stresses of […]