Spooked Again team takes first place in World's Richest, Blaze and Sitarah teams take second and third Friday, 24 May 2013 22:26 Capt. Steve Ahlers and his team aboard Spooked Again took home the first place winnings in the 2013 World's Richest Tarpon Tournament, held by the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce. Read the Full Story

World's Richest, Kids Classic, Art Festival and street party schedule of events Friday, 24 May 2013 13:06
Schedule of events for the World's Richest Tarpon Tournament, Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, Boca Grande Invitational Art Festival, and street party ... Read the Full Story

Happy Graduation to Abigail, Dafne, Luke and Jake, TIS 2013! Friday, 24 May 2013 10:19 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Four tassels were turned on Thursday, May 23, as Luke Crosser, Dafne Garcia, Abigail Turner and Jake Van Atten graduated from fifth grade and from The Island School. Prior to their commencement ceremony the four, with the help of others, did a “dramatic statues” and chant performance. Afterward, the third, fourth and fifth graders all participated in a song called “Flip Flop,” written and produced by TIS music teacher Diana Donlon. Read the Full Story

FWC releases findings in Bull Bay accident Friday, 24 May 2013 10:17 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission has completed its report on the two-boat accident in Bull Bay on April 12, and the FWC is holding both Jesse Smith and Capt. Steve Ahlers at fault. Smith, of Port Charlotte, was travelling southwest in a gray 18’ open motorboat. He turned to the south to enter a blind, narrow passage between two mangrove islands when he spotted Ahlers’ yellow boat heading in the opposite direction. Ahlers, of Boca Grande, was traveling northwest towards the same passage, with three passengers on board his 20-foot yellow boat. Read the Full Story

Boca Grande, Sweet Pea highlighted in June Vogue magazine shoot Friday, 24 May 2013 10:09 Boca Grande has been the location for an awful lot of photo shoots, so many we usually don’t report on them. But, a couple of months ago a very high-profile fashion magazine – Vogue, to be exact – turned up in town with an interesting model. Her name is Dree Hemingway, and she is the great-granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway. Read the Full Story

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Spooked Again team takes first place in World's Richest, Blaze and Sitarah teams take second and third
Capt. Steve Ahlers and his team aboard Spooked Again took home the first place winnings in the 2013 World's Richest...
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Be a part of history ... help to name the frisky tarpon picture

30 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Artist Brendan Coudal needs help naming his newest painting. The image will be used on the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce's marketing materials to celebrate their 2012 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

Email your suggestions to Brendan directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; include your full name, suggested title(s), and your contact information. The deadline is April 30th.

The winner will receive the first print of the 500 limited edition posters, and a 'mystery' gift bag from the Chamber of Commerce.

The poster, as well as Coudal’s previous year's posters, are available for purchase through the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce.

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The News - Featured News

History Bytes: The Knight family, the cow cavalry and the unofficial mayor of Boca Grande

30 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The final History Bytes presentation of this season was held Wednesday, March 28 at the Johann Fust Community Library. Mary Knight Vickers, librarian for Johann Fust, and Steve Godwin were present to share the tale of their family history from the time they arrived in the Colonies in the 1600s through to the present day.

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Profile: Sam Posey

30 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Sam Posey, Formula One driver, got his start driving about as far from a track as you can get.

“When I was about four years old, my family owned a farm in Sharon, Connecticut,” the seasonal Boca Grande resident said. “There were old cars and tractors around, and one day my mom put me up in the seat of the tractor in front of her.”

It was the start of a love affair with driving. From the speed of Formula One to the grit of endurance racing, Sam has driven the gamut.

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Higher tolls? Yes. New tax? Maybe

23 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT AND MARCY SHORTUSE - The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority voted on an interim toll increase to take effect on Oct. 1 at their March 20 special meeting, until the matter of an ad valorem tax is voted on in November.

As of that date, cash tolls will be $6, cash tolls will increase from $3.25 per trip to $3.90 and a rate of $790 for annual passes will apply.

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A part of Boca Grande died Wednesday night

23 March 2012 Last Updated on 25 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

One of the island’s daughters passed away late Wednesday, March 21. She was 76 and was well-loved in Boca Grande.

Barbara Ann (Whidden) Chatham was the daughter of Sam and Leslie Whidden, born in 1935. Her surviving children include a son, Capt. Dave Chatham (Jill) of Boca Grande and a daughter, Jane Allen. Her sister, Isabelle, also survives her.