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Tag: NoPaywall

Hildegard Werner Messenbaugh, 1940-2026

March 19, 2026
Staff Report
Obituaries

Dr. Hildegard Werner Messenbaugh – beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and pioneering adolescent psychiatrist – passed away peacefully at the age of 85 on January 10, 2026, surrounded...

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Florida sheriffs propose structured path for non-criminal, undocumented immigrants

During a Monday, March 16 Florida State Immigration Enforcement Council meeting held on Microsoft Teams, Republican sheriffs pushed back on President Donald Trump’s mass deportation efforts toward...

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Anton ‘Tony’ Wottreng 1932-2026

March 19, 2026
Staff Report
Obituaries

Anton “Tony” Wottreng beloved husband of the late Marianne Wottreng (nee Lesch). Loving father of Anton “Tony” Wottreng and Monika (John) Martini. Devoted grandfather of Michelle (David)...

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IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Anita Dust

Parkinson’s advocate on troubling disease Anita Dust almost threw it away. It was just another piece of mail, a small educational flyer listing the early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Like most...

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The Island Golfer: The clubs keeping caddie culture alive

There is something uniquely satisfying about the ritual of it. You arrive at the first tee, the bag is already waiting, a caddie standing quietly alongside it. Before a word is spoken about...

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State reopens Don Pedro Island for beach access

The island section of Don Pedro Island State park reopened officially March 6, 2026. However, the dock and facilities are unavailable, so there is only access by private craft or kayak. The...

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New plan for Gasparilla Island State Park includes new seawall and entrance road

Draft plans released for comment for all local Florida State Parks The state of Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection’s Office of Park Planning on Friday, March 6...

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Joe & Lauren: Making Music in Boca Grande on Friday, March 20

The iconic Joe Iconis and the marvelous Lauren Marcus are partners in art and life. Iconis wrote the hit score for Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical Be More Chill, the...

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License to Speak: Former MI6 chief brings spy stories to Boca Grande

Above, Sir John Scarlett with his wife, Gwenda, after the talk at the Boca Grande Community Center. Photo by Garland Sir John Scarlett ran Britain’s MI6. On Friday, he came to the Boca...

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Capt. John Spinks 1947-2026

March 12, 2026
Staff Report
Obituaries

Capt. John Spinks, best known as Capt. ‘Tater’ Spinks, died March 8, 2026. Born Jan. 1, 1947, he was a long-time Boca Grande fishing captain. Details to follow. January 1, 1947 – March...

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