The last day to register to vote or change party affiliation for this year’s August 13 primary is Monday, July 16.

After that day the registration books are closed, and changes will only apply to subsequent elections.

BY LIZA STROUT - When Rich Harsh visited Charlotte Harbor with his wife Janeen, they knew that they had found their new home.

“I’ve always been a water junkie,” laughed Rich. “My grandfather took me fishing as far back as I can remember. It’s in my blood. I wanted to live on the water and get into the professional fishing industry.”

The couple sold their house in Michigan, packed up their belongings and family and restarted their lives in Englewood two years ago.

“We knew that we wanted to do it, and we decided that we should do it sooner rather than later,” Rich said. “We wanted to do it while we could enjoy it, because you never know what the future holds.”

There are even more changes to the bocabeacon.com site now, including more photo-viewing opportunities and online subscriptions.

What you won’t see, however, are many of the full stories that you’re used to. Unless you’re a subscriber, of course.

Our new photo-hosting program, SmugMug, is up and running. Most of the 2012 tarpon tournament action is on there, as well as some general photos of random things.

 BY LIZA STROUT - For the people of Gasparilla Island, Tropical Storm Debby was more a series of inconveniences than a major event. Streets were flooded, pipes backed up and the sun was not seen for days.

For the animals that make their home on the island’s beaches, though, it was devastating.