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Fust Library Foundation announces staff transition

Above, Marquis, at left, and Greenberg. Photo submitted BY THE JF LIBRARY FOUNDATION The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the leadership succession plan for the Johann Fust Library F…

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Baraat procession enthralls town on Saturday

Above, the wedding couple. Photo by Dusty On Saturday, the town of Boca Grande turned out for the wedding parade of Baylor Wickes and Samir Yezdani. The traditional parade is called a Baraat. …

Parking Committee to meet on June 17

The next meeting of the Boca Grande Parking Committee will be held at 1 p.m. on June 17. The formal agenda has three items to be considered, as well as public comment on issues before the committee…

Fust Library Foundation announces staff transition

Above, Marquis, at left, and Greenberg. Photo submitted BY THE JF LIBRARY FOUNDATION The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the leadership succession plan for the Johann Fust Library F…

Congratulations!

Lemon Bay Conservancy awarded the 2026 Elsie Bracken Environmental Science Scholarship to Lemon Bay High School Senior Keegan Noel. Pictured (l to r): Irene Slattery, Lemon Bay Conservancy Presiden…

Graduate!

Ambrea Hobbs graduated from the University of West Florida, Pensacola, on May 2 with summa cum laude honors. She earned a B.A. in history and a B.A. in legal studies with a minor in political scienc…

Woman’s Club scholarships

The Boca Grande Woman’s Club awarded 11 scholarships to Lemon Bay High School seniors. All 11 students have a strong connection to Boca Grande either by employment themselves or through a parent or…

TARPON SCHEDULE 2026

Ladies Day Fishing The annual Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An open awards party to follow at Scarpa’s Coastal from 8 to 10 p.m. This ye…

Memorial Day sandbar lineup announced

On Saturday, May 23, the Uncle Don’s Boca H2O Music Festival will be held in the water off the sandbar between Gasparilla Island and Placida. The concert is put together by Big Boy Toyz Expo. The…

Lemon Bay High spring concert salutes America 250

The Lemon Bay High School band will present a spring concert Thursday, May 7, at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center, featuring a program celebrating the sound, spirit and story of America as the n…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Capt. Eddie Potter

Fishing captain & father Above, Eddie Potter with his twins, Hugh and Ranona, who attend Lemon Bay. Photo submitted To win in the first tarpon tournament you ever enter or fish is something that takes a lifetime of experience. That was the situation with longtime fishing guide Capt. Eddie Potter, who won the Ladies Day […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

First patients at new Health Clinic

Kim Newlin (above) was the first patient appointment at the new clinic. Photographed with Dana Pellant, L.P.N. Kimberly Whipple (right) was the first same-day patient at the new clinic. Photogra…

New Boca Grande Health Clinic dedicated

The Boca Grande Health Clinic opened the doors of their new Clinic of the Future on Tuesday, with over 300 gathered. The $30 million project not only includes new clinic offices and facilities, but…

Boca Grande ‘Clinic of the Future’ dedicated this week

More than 300 people gathered on May 5 as the Boca Grande Health Clinic officially dedicated its new Clinic of the Future to the community and recognized the many donors who made the project possibl…

Clinic: Mother’s Day is perfect time to reflect on women’s health

BY NATALIE COLE, R.N. BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC If you are struggling to think of the perfect gift this Mother’s Day, consider something many women rarely give themselves: time to focus on their…

Battery arrest on Memorial Weekend

During Memorial Day weekend, a 36-year-old man was arrested without bond for battery on the Boca Grande Causeway. On Saturday, May 23, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Lee County She…

New EMS students

Charlotte County Fire & EMS, in partnership with Charlotte Technical College, hosted its first-ever Signing Day Ceremony on May 26, recognizing local students pursuing careers in fire and emerge…

Overturned boat in Boca Grande Pass on Monday

Charter boat rescue Last weekend saw two separate boating incidents in the waters around Gasparilla Island, though no serious injuries were reported and only a handful of minor injuries occurred…

DUI arrest on the Causeway Saturday

A 36-year-old woman was arrested on the Boca Grande Causeway on Saturday, May 23 for driving under the influence. Just after 6 p.m., a Charlotte County deputy conducted a traffic stop on a Chevy…

News Archives

Lane Hartle 1936 – 2026

Lane Hartle passed away in Sarasota on May 26, 2026. She was born in 1936 in Warsaw, Indiana. She attended schools in Warsaw and graduated from Sara…

Dennis Guppy 1955 – 2026

Guppy has left the building. After a prolonged illness, Dennis passed away on May 21, 2026, a day after his 71st birthday. It was peaceful after…

Dennis Guppy

The Beacon has received word of the death of Dennis Guppy, who died May 21, 2026. He was known on the island for Black Tie Catering, and had previou…

DeeAnn Phillips 1938-2026

We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beloved DeeAnn Phillips, who passed peacefully with her family by her side on April 20, 2026. DeeAnn…

Celebration of Life April 26 for Chef Lenny Clymer

There will be a celebration of life at The Temptation Restaurant from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26 for Leonard “Lenny” E Clymer, 66. Leonard…