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GIBA discusses new sidewalk, revenue and other projects at quarterly board meeting

■ BY KATHY BANSON-VERRICO The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board voted to add a sidewalk on the west side of Gasparilla Road from Gulf Shores to facilitate pedestrian travel along the existing GIBA right-of-way at their quarterly board meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 20. GIBA attorney Rob Berntsson and GIBA engineer Jon Cole have been researching […]

Progress on the playground … but it’s slow

■ BY SUE ERWIN The old playground at The Island School has been torn down and cleared away, and workers are staging the area for the new equipment that was delivered to the school last week. The project was delayed due to permitting issues. Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton said the new playground installation […]

FWC asks public for help documenting strange panther disorder

■ STAFF REPORT The FWC is investigating a disorder detected in some Florida panthers and bobcats. All the affected animals have exhibited some degree of walking abnormally or having difficulty coordinating their back legs. As of August 2019, the FWC has confirmed neurological damage in one panther and one bobcat. Additionally, trail camera footage has […]

Obituary: Lucile Turner James

Local seasonal resident Lucile Turner James passed away peacefully at home here on the island on August 16th, 2019 after a 4-1/2 year battle with metastatic lung cancer. Lucile was born on October 9, 1951 in Lynchburg, Va. She is survived by her mother, Ann E. White of Boca Grande; husband of 43 years, David […]

Obituary: Florence ‘Terry’ Hoyt

Florence “Terry” Cornelia Hoyt, age 64, passed away in Geneva, N.Y. on August 7, 2019. Terry was the beloved daughter of Elton Hoyt III (predeceased) and Barbara Higgins Hoyt; beloved sister to James Humphrey Hoyt (Fofie) and Peter Higgins Hoyt (predeceased), (Jacque); beloved aunt to Elton Hoyt, Andrew Hoyt (Courtney), Dana Hoyt (Russell Miranda), Robert […]

Profile: Lisa Sims

■ BY SUE ERWIN Lisa Sims, manager at Gasparilla Adventures, has been associated with Boca Grande since 2008. The first time she came to the island was to help with the wedding of Sarah Blakely (founder of Spanx) and Jessie itzsler at The Gasparilla Inn. The large celebration was the talk of the town, as wedding […]

You can help protect endangered sea turtles

To the Editor: It’s sea turtle nesting season in Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing guidelines on how you can make a difference for these endangered marine reptiles. As hatchlings begin to appear on beaches throughout the state, please remember that it is important to keep your distance from […]

Methodist Church proposal rejected by Historic Preservation Board

■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The discussion of several topics at the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on Wednesday, Aug. 14 was quiet and quick until the last two items … and it was apparently those items that had the seats unusually full for an August meeting in Boca Grande. The topic that had the most […]