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PROFILE: Kerri Jacobs

Behind the strong woman are three boys cheering her on… BY OLIVIA CAMERON-As a mother of three boys and a co-owner of an eye-catching new café, Kerri Jacobs barely has enough time to stop and smell the coffee. However, her integrity has taken her further than she envisioned. Kerri was born and raised right here […]

Rentals on island flourish in face of pandemic

BY OLIVIA CAMERON AND MARCY SHORTUSE- Local real estate and rentals have flourished after getting back on the market in the past few months, despite previous travel restrictions and social distancing recommendations.   Don Lutz of Boca Grande Real Estate compared their rental bookings this summer to those of mid-May to July in 2019, reporting a […]

Island School bells to toll as planned on August 10… but what a different tune they will play

BY MARCY SHORTUSE- The long-awaited announcement that begins to outline how the 2020-21 Island School academic year will play out was made on Wednesday, July 15 by Head-of-School Jean Thompson, and it appears there will be more options than most parents thought. The long-awaited announcement that begins to outline how the 2020-21 Island School academic […]

Spark plans in the works

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- When diving into the thoughts of local Spark Boca Grande founder and CEO Erica Ress Martin, there’s much planning to be done in spite of the all-encompassing pandemic.  “I currently have a two-track system,” said Martin, referring to the two ways she would like to take the Island’s path of at-home entertainment. […]

COVID scams becoming more and more common these days

STAFF REPORT- The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is warning residents to be wary of potential Corona virus-related scams that target people during the global pandemic. Telephone scams regarding COVID-19 test results have been reported by Floridians. Residents have been contacted by callers stating they are with the Florida Department of Health and request social security […]

Lee County surpasses recycling rate, becomes one of three counties in Florida to meet goal of 75 percent

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Lee County established an 80 percent recycling rate in 2019, 5 percent higher than the original goal set for 2020. And now Lee County’s recycling participation has increased from the previous recorded rate of 77 percent. The County has recycled approximately 1.8 million tons of the 2.27 million tons of recycled material […]

Renourishment project required equipment staging in Harbor

BY OLIVIA CAMERON- For months, the sight of a barge has interrupted the endless ocean view from the south end of Boca Grande. Since February, a pile of equipment has been an unexplained puzzle to locals.  Many island organizations were unsure of its sudden placement, but local fishermen have spent enough time on the water […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: State senate candidate focuses on clean water, open economy, police support

To the Editor: Over the next month voters will cast their ballots for the Republican nominee for State Senate. In order to make an informed decision, voters need to know what a candidate believes and whether that candidate can be an effective Senator for their community. As a candidate for the Florida State Senate who […]

Obituary: Mary Whiteside

Mary Charlotte Herrington Whiteside, age 90, passed away suddenly on March 8, 2020 due to complications of the Covid-19 virus pandemic in Kirkland, Washington. Unfortunately, she was in a rehabilitation facility recovering from surgery, almost ready to be discharged, when symptoms of the virus came on, as one of the early cases, and was transferred […]

PROFILE: Donna Larson

For Donna, the destination is determined by the journey… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Combing the shoreline of Gasparilla Island, local Turtle Patroller Donna Larson dedicates six months each year to protecting our hatchlings. Born into a southern lifestyle, Donna hardly considers Troy, Michigan her hometown. During her early childhood, she learned to get her hands dirty […]