An 81-year-old Ontario man was killed Monday afternoon near the intersection of 8th Street and Gasparilla Road while he was photographing flowers.

According to witnesses, at approximately 5 p.m. the man, Eberhard Maczynski, was on the west side of Gasparilla Road taking photographs. He apparently looked, then walked into oncoming traffic to cross the street.

Terry Ogle, a North Port man who works on the island, was the driver of the pick-up truck that hit Maczynski. No charges were filed.

Maczynski was taken by Lifeflight helicopter to Fort Myers, but was pronounced dead prior to arrival.

BY LIZA STROUT - Taxes, not tolls, was the general plea from the crowd of more than 50 people who attended Thursday’s meeting of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority.

The kids at The Island School got a really neat surprise on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Former First Lady Laura Bush came to read to them, and chat with the teachers.                  

Photos submitted by TIS

The Florida Republican Primary will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 31. For residents on the Charlotte County part of the island, voting is at American Legion #113, 3436 Indiana Rd., in Rotonda West. Lee County voting will be at the Boca Grande Community Center.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. It is too late to change your voting information for the primary, but you have until October 9 to make any changes for the presidential election in November.