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Stay updated and informed. Access the latest version of the Boca Beacon E-Edition by clicking on the link below, and stay on top of what’s happening in the aftermath of hurricane Ian.

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Girl goes missing on beach, found quickly by deputies

Last Thursday, Dec. 26 a six-year-old girl was missing for about 15 minutes after being seen walking northbound of 1st Street and Gilchrist Avenue. The girl was found safely in about 15 or 20 minutes. She reportedly wandered up the beach, where she…

Busy December for Causeway crossings

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will have final year-end numbers from the bridge at the end of this week; so far, the December traffic count is up about 1,000 from December 2023. “We average about 93,000 vehicles each December,” wrote Execut…

2025 resolutions include ‘mess with his sister less’

This Friday’s paper is the first of the new year. Despite still recovering from the dual hurricanes this fall, Boca Grande was crowded with visitors this week, here to ring in 2025 in paradise. Families packed onto bikes and golf carts to shop at lo…

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Get your 4-Digit listing updated for 2025

It’s the time of year to check on and update your listing in the 4-Digit Phone Book. Since 1991, the Boca Beacon has published this reference text, one of the last remaining residential phone …

Pink pachyderm in the Gulf sunset

On Saturday, Dec. 28, a pink elephant appeared in the clouds. The view was looking west across the Gulf in south Boca Grande. The photo was caught by Erin Reid, daughter-in-law of Boca Grande resi…

Red tide make for dead mullet

The island had a large number of dead mullet up and down the beach over the New Year, the result of a possible red tide outbreak offshore. “This is an unfortunate persistent presence of Red Tid…

Branch manager

This osprey was making a nest near the Range Light last week. He was spied with a number of building materials, found across the island. Photo by Matt

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Recent Posts

Merritt ‘Babe’ Darna 1938-2024

Merritt “Babe” Neel Darna, a member of one of Boca Grande’s legacy families, died December 24, 2024. Babe was bor…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Making gluten-free macaroons tasty, Laura Witt

It’s terrible when food is your enemy. Laura Witt is working to take the “bite” out of food that is meant to make us…

Port Noise Complaint: The conclusion to the story

BY MILTON BELL Milton Bell is a Boca Grande native, born October 26, 1950, who grew up on the property of the phosph…

SW Florida Fishing: It’s trout time around the harbor

BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE Not only have the holidays brought great weather, they have also brought great fishing! …

Meet Your Lee Commissioners; new in office, David Mulicka

On Election Day in November, two seats on the Lee County Board of Commissioners were up for election: District 3, wh…

Fishing in the fog off the Causeway

The fog has been on and off for the last week. Here, a view off of the Boca Grande Causeway. There was fog on New Ye…

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Boca Grande Webcam

See the blue-green water of the Gulf of Mexico at Gasparilla Island State Park for yourself. You’ll be right next to the Port Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum built in 1890.

Photos

Educate Boca Golf Scramble 2024

Boca Bay Pass Club Santa Scramble 2024

Photos with Santa 2024

Lighting of the Range Light 2024

Christmas Tree Lighting 2024

Christmas Walk 2024

Manasota Mystique 2024

Englewood Chamber Fun After Five Nov. 2024

2024 Gasparilla Inn Employee Cornhole

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