From the Florida Division of Emergency Management ...

As Sandy moves into the Atlantic Ocean, rip currents, strong winds, rain and coastal erosion possible ...

BY DANIEL GODWIN - ... and that means only a few would climb the ‘tree of pickers.’

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Roselle Agles has been through a spiritual and emotional transition since returning to Boca Grande, one she calls a “beautiful, tumultuous journey.” When she came back in February to visit, she was shocked by how much she had missed the island. Now she has come back permanently and wants to give back to the community.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - There are problems arising with absentee ballot voting in Lee County. Now the Lee County Supervisor of Elections is blaming the ballot vendor and the United States Postal Service for at least one issue.

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - While the leaves are changing and falling from the trees in northern locales, Gasparilla Island has a few of its own trees doing the same. It isn’t because of the arrival of fall, though. It’s because of the rugose spiraling whitefly.

BY LIZA STROUT - Changes are afoot at the North Island Village and everyone involved, from Dave Arner at Uncle Henry’s Marina to Brian Meeker with the Boca Grande Resort, can’t wait for season to get underway.