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Native plants now surround Range Light area after tourism grant help

A dune restoration project began Tuesday at the Range Light, courtesy of Barrier Island Parks Society and tourism development money allocated to Lee County. Barrier Island Parks Society Executive…

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Community

Cape Haze meet benefits Lemon Bay

October 30, 2025

At a Saturday neighborhood gathering in Cape Haze, Lemon Bay High’s Mia Conlon talks to Leah Robbins. Teacher Conlon is in charge of the schools booming marine program and their Aqualab. Right…

South Beach valet parking

October 30, 2025

South Beach has added valet parking for guests in order to maximize the number of cars in their lot due to the parking ordinance. Here, Derek A. Levy of All Pro Valet, out last Friday afternoon. …

Island volunteers assured on Gasparilla parking access

October 30, 2025

Some island volunteers have expressed concern for when enforcement of the new parking restrictions begins, and the risk of tickets. In turn, Lee County assures that volunteers will be included in “i…

Education

Boca Grande Preschool given Palm Avenue commercial building

October 30, 2025

The Boca Grande Preschool, Inc. is new the owner of 311 Palm Avenue. The Palm Avenue property was donated by the Pete and Ginny Nicholas family. It is zoned as commercial, located behind the 3rd…

Golf scholarship program builds youth leadership at Lemon Bay

October 23, 2025

A BETTER SHOT FOUNDATION This fall, three students are beneficiaries of scholarships through the A Better Shot Foundation and its summer programs held at Lemon Bay Golf Club. Below are some of th…

A Day of Firsts: Kindergarten Drop-off on the Island

August 14, 2025

I’ve spent most of my life in school – from kindergarten through my doctoral studies – and stayed closely connected to the educational system as a certified school nurse and professor of nursing, tr…

Entertainment

Royal Palm Players opens season with on A.R. Gurney classic, Love Letters

October 30, 2025

BY NANCY WHITE In two weeks, the Royal Palm Players will begin its highly anticipated theatrical season with A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters,” from Thursday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 16. The rea…

Turkey Paddle

October 30, 2025

Suncoast Humane is holding a Turkey Paddle Fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Don Pedro State Park, 8450 Placida Road, Englewood. Humane.org or SUPEnglewood.com.

EVENTS TO COME

October 30, 2025

Lee County meeting on Nov. 4 The Lee Board of County Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the Old County Courthouse Commission Chambers, 2120 Main Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Chef Wiley Laidlaw

From garden to gourmet, Newlin’s own Chef Wiley Laidlaw’s love for cooking began long before he ever set foot in a professional kitchen. It grew out of long summer days in his grandmother’s garden and kitchen in New York, where fresh herbs, homegrown vegetables and family meals were part of daily life. “She’d cook everything […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Englewood Hospital earns distinctions

October 30, 2025

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital announced Wednesday that it has earned multiple five-star distinctions for exceptional clinical performance from Healthgrades, the online doctor or hospital ratings se…

OPINION: MARK DRISCOLL

October 23, 2025

Reflecting on five years at the Clinic I was walking on the island the other day, passing the construction site where the new Clinic of the Future is taking shape, when I stopped for a moment to…

Health Clinic taken from the air

October 9, 2025

An aerial view of the construction of the future Boca Grande Health Clinic, looking south, taken Thursday morning. The building, replacing a storm damaged Annex, is part of their Clinic of the Futur…

Flu shot season

October 2, 2025

The Boca Grande Health Clinic is helping the community prepare for flu season by offering flu vaccinations throughout October and November. Shots are available for all registered Clinic patients as…

Police & Fire

Former employee convicted

October 30, 2025

Must serve five years in prison A woman who stole from her job at Scarpa’s Coastal Restaurant in Boca Grande last year has been adjudicated guilty and sentenced to six years in prison, followed b…

Fire Department breast cancer awareness shirts on sale now

October 30, 2025

The Boca Grande Fire Department is showing off their breast cancer t-shirts. Purchase the shirts at the Fire Station in support of the cause. Photo submitted

Sheriff house approval at Lee Commission

October 23, 2025

The Lee County Board of Commissioners approved a memorandum of understanding with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to replace the sheriff’s house at Wheeler Road, which was damaged by Hurricane Milto…

New Englewood fire boat purchase

October 23, 2025

At the Tuesday meeting of the Charlotte County Commission, Englewood Fire has presented a budget item for a new fire and rescue boat. Charlotte Commission files

News Archives

Obituaries

Mary Naylor Donahue 1940-2025

Mary Naylor Donahue passed away peacefully on October 19, 2025, following a courageous battle with kidney and heart disease. She was 85 and a devote…

Otilia Yanes Fernandez 1934-2025

Otilia Yanes Fernandez, dearly beloved wife of 65 years of the late Emilio Fernandez, passed away Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the age of 91. Lovi…

Matthew Gilmour Thompson 1942-2025

Matthew Gilmour Thompson, 83, died on September 24, 2025. Born in Richmond on June 3, 1942, to Madeline Waller and Edward Thompson, Matt is survived…

Deborah A. Cooper-Heimann 1951-2025

Deborah A. Cooper-Heimann, 73, of Cape Coral passed away unexpectedly Sunday September 28, 2025. She was born in St. Louis, MO in 1951 to her parent…

Constance Gregg 1929-2025

Constance Weiser Gregg (Connie) passed away on September 27, 2025, after a short illness. Born on December 3, 1929, in Williamsport, Pa., she was th…