Author: Boca Beacon

This is the last weekend to fish license-free in Florida

June 12, 2015
Boca Beacon
Editorial

SUBMITTED BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Every year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has license-free fishing days. You may have missed free saltwater...

Near drowning in Gasparilla Pass reported

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

BY JACK SHORT – Charlotte County Fire and EMS and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office were part of the response team that may have saved a man’s life after he nearly drowned on May 25, Memorial...

Delays to be expected when crossing the Boca Grande Causeway on Friday

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

On Friday, May 29 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. there will be limited and/or no power to the bridge or toll booth, as the electric lines to the new tender house will be energized. According...

Tarpon Festival Weekend coming up! A message from the Chamber of Commerce

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

BY LEW HASTINGS – Tarpon Fishing. For some it’s an old family tradition, one that goes back generations. The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament has become a tradition in its own right. In various...

Fires around the island, vandalism at South Beach reported

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

Several incidents kept area firefighters busy over the Memorial Day weekend, but none of them were on Gasparilla Island. We did have one crime report, though. On the afternoon of Saturday, May 23...

The land of shamrocks and leprechauns: Ireland

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

BY JEAN NETHERY –The Beacon welcomes back our occasional writer, Jean Nethery, who is writing this time about Ireland. This is part one in a two part series. As our Boeing 757 touched down...

This Saturday night the howling shall commence …

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

If you’re anywhere near Boca Grande Pass Saturday night, don’t be surprised if you hear some odd noises. The howling will be fierce, as the Howl at the Moon Invitational Tarpon Tournament will be taking...

Coupling failure closes bridge to traffic during holiday weekend

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

BY JACK SHORT – The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority closed its swing bridge briefly to road traffic and for at least 19 hours to boat traffic beginning Sunday afternoon, according to representatives...

More indicators of booming economic recovery

May 29, 2015
Boca Beacon
News

Shown in the two accompanying charts, mid-year tourist tax collections for Lee County (through March) have already surpassed FY10/11’s, not including late payments for that year. Lee County Tourism...

Anglers and artists make for a great combination during Tarpon Festival Weekend in downtown Boca Grande

BY CARROLL SWAYZE – Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists alike prepare for the 2015 Tarpon Festival in downtown Boca Grande on June 4 through 6. Each year thousands of people travel to...