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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Cayo Costa to be celebrated with first ‘Heritage Day’ festival

20 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The first annual Cayo Costa Heritage Day will be held at Cayo Costa State Park on Saturday, May 5 from 9:30 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The Friends of Cayo Costa State Park (FCC), a new citizen support organization focused on protection and improvement for Cayo Costa State Park, will host the trip. The FCC is a division of the Barrier Island Parks Society, and all proceeds from the event go exclusively toward funding project and program needs for Cayo Costa State Park.

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Lee County Parks & Rec to hold last youth fishing tournament of the season

20 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Friends of Boca Grande Community Center will be hosting the last youth-fishing tournament of the season.

The tournament will be held on Saturday, May 5 from 9 to 11 a.m.

The tournament is free for boys and girls aged 15 and under.

This is a catch-and-release tournament. Bait will be provided by Boca Grande Marina – no lures allowed).

Children must be supervised by a parent or guardian.

Registration is not necessary. Just be at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier at the north end of the island, ready to fish by 9 a.m. Prizes and awards will be given out.

For more information, contact Joe at 964-2564.

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And the winner is ...

20 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Royal Palm Players
2012 Anna Awards Winners:

Director of the Year - Michele Strauss

Stage Manager of the Year - Marcia Spencer

All Time Favorite - Male - Charlie Tyler

All Time Favorite - Female - Michele Strauss

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Letter to the Editor: Another successful tourney for health clinic

20 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Dear Supporters:

This past week was the 20th Annual Hank Wright Golf Tournament and Auction at Lemon Bay Golf Club and the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. It was a resounding success and raised more than $170,000 for the Boca Grande Health Clinic.

To thank all who were responsible for this accomplishment would be virtually impossible in the space available here, but I will single out some of the more significant contributors, beginning with Dr. Hank Wright who for 20 years has lent his name to this annual event to support the clinic and the community he loves.

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The News - Letter to Editor

Profile: Joyce Howe

20 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - When Joyce Howe first came to Gasparilla Island in 1978, the Boca Grande Club was barely an idea.

“There were a couple of years in Cincinnati where we had a lot of snow, and it gets very dreary along the Ohio River” said Joyce. “We were looking for somewhere to go to escape for a while, and our neighbor’s mother suggested Boca Grande.”