FWC votes 4-3 to pursue jig ban Friday, 14 June 2013 14:00 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In a decision that will change the face of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 to pass a proposal to create new definitions for the term “snagging,” and decided to proceed with a draft ruling that would prohibit the use of bottom-weighted jigs as well. Read the Full Story

Beacon buys Gasparilla Gazette Friday, 14 June 2013 13:59 The Boca Beacon, Boca Grande’s locally-owned newspaper for 33 years, has purchased the Gasparilla Gazette. The purchase agreement with Breeze Newspapers of Cape Coral was made final this week. Read the Full Story

Be free, manatee: Two native 'tees released back to their home on Thursday Friday, 14 June 2013 13:53 Representatives from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo made a very special trip to the island on Thursday, June 13, with some very unique cargo. Read the Full Story

Boca Grande still a 'best little beach town' Friday, 14 June 2013 13:50 Once again, Boca Grande finds itself on a list of top 10 places, this time as one of America’s best little beach towns as listed by CNN. Read the Full Story

Island sea turtle patrol experiencing funding snag, but still hitting the beaches Friday, 14 June 2013 13:45 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The Gasparilla Island Turtle Patrol has had a bit of bad luck lately, between Tropical Storm Andrea and a new development that has stopped their funding cold for the moment.
According to Grace Harvey, the permit holder for Gasparilla Island, the Coastal Wildlife Club has taken away the money they need to operate ... and all because of a matter of security. Read the Full Story

Local surfers goin’ to Cali Friday, 14 June 2013 13:44 BY LIZA STROUT - When Mila Wyman and the rest of the Florida Atlantic University’s Surf Team finished one point off first place in the 2013 National Scholastic Surfing Association’s East Coast Regional Championship in April, they knew that they were going to be heading to California for the national competition. Read the Full Story

Profile: Lynne Warberg Friday, 14 June 2013 10:31 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Lynne Warberg has played many roles in her lifetime. She’s been the relish girl, the Playboy bunny, the receptionist, the photographer, the author and the mom. Her long and winding path to Boca Grande is more than just interesting ... it’s a testament to just what a woman can do all on her own. And just what she did was become a very well-known photographer, and she will be helping out shooting pictures from the Boca Beacon from time to time as well. Read the Full Story

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FWC votes 4-3 to pursue jig ban
BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In a decision that will change the face of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, the...
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Letter to the Editor: Don't forget the upcoming FWC meeting

06 June 2013 Last Updated on 06 June 2013 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

On June 12, in the morning of their meeting in Lakeland, the members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will take their final vote on the proposed regulations to make tarpon and bonefish catch and release in the state of Florida. Although that seems like a no-brainer to many, a positive outcome on this vote is far from certain. Even if you voiced your support for these regulations during the draft phase, we are asking you to once again make your support of the proposed regulations known.

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The News - Letter to Editor

Capt. Stevie wins! 63 tarpon caught, released in WRTT 2013

31 May 2013 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Capt. Steve Ahlers and his team aboard Spooked Again took home the first place winnings in the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce 2013 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, after catching four fish on the first day and four fish on the second day. The team won $20,600 for the eight fish they caught during the two-day tournament.

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The News - Featured News

Kids Classic delivers excitement with 15 tarpon released

31 May 2013 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Jacob Newcomb is just a little guy, but when he got a hold of the first tarpon in the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic last Saturday, he turned into a manly megalops hunter. Believe it or not, the 9-year-old got his fish to the boat in just one minute, making him the first angler to catch a fish in the tournament.

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The News - Featured News

Tarpon weekend brings with it record-breaking bridge traffic

31 May 2013 Last Updated on 31 May 2013 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - Whether it was tarpon or just the holiday weekend, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority saw a surge in traffic Thursday through Monday, beating last year’s numbers for the same weekend by more than 1,100 vehicles.

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The News - Featured News

Reference Room closing this week, re-opening at Fust

31 May 2013 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - When closing time at the Lee County Reference Room comes on Wednesday, June 6, a chapter will close in the annals of Boca Grande history, and only memories will remain.
It is the last scheduled day for the Reference Room to be open, prior to its move to combine with the Johann Fust Community Library at Gasparilla Road and 10th Street.