Author: Staff Report

Runoff pipes from two projects raise questions with island residents

July 23, 2021
Staff Report
News

Two separate construction projects in the same area have been raising some questions, especially because they involve water running off into Charlotte Harbor and the Bayou. The first project is...

New sod on causeway might be cursed by the fire gods (or grown by aliens), ambulance responds to two envenomation calls

If you wear white to a party, you’re bound to spill wine on your shirt. If you buy a brand-new car, you’re bound to get a door ding within the first week. But who knew that if you put down some nice,...

OBITUARY: David Arner

July 23, 2021
Staff Report
Obituaries

David Lee Arner, 66, of Pinehurst, N.C. passed away on Monday, July 12, 2021 at his residence. Dave was born May 6, 1955, in Massillon, Ohio to Robert and Doris Rudolph Arner. He grew up in Ohio...

Hudson’s Grocery would-be counterfeiter to stand trial in federal court

July 23, 2021
Staff Report
News

The Sarasota man arrested for attempting to use counterfeit money at a Hudson’s Grocery on May 18 has had his case moved to the federal courts. Local Lee County deputies arrested Dennis Michael...

Boca Beacon/Gasparilla Island Magazine staff rock the BWN/Charley awards

July 23, 2021
Staff Report
News

The Boca Beacon staff traveled to the Sarasota Westin on Friday, July 16 for the Florida Press Association Better Weekly Newspaper awards, and the Florida Magazine Association Charlie Awards. We did...

Sunglasses aren’t all the same: Choose wisely, your eyes depend on it

July 16, 2021
Staff Report
News

Recently I made a trip to California to see our children and grandchildren. We spent some time in the area from LA to Santa Barbara. As we visited the areas mentioned I began to notice that the majority...

PROFILE: Peter Strong, engineer and Bridge Authority chairman

December 18, 2020
Staff Report
Profiles

He’s not afraid of a challenge…BY OLIVIA CAMERON – Engineer Peter Strong recently announced his retirement from the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority as chairman of the engineering...

Grand opening of The Tide planned for next week

October 4, 2019
Staff Report
News

By SUE ERWINThere’s a new shop in town, and you’ll be surprised at the unique island items available there, just in time for the holiday season. The Tide gift shop located in the Old Theatre building...

‘Mother was Grande Marshal’ … hence the hats — Star Ford Whitney and Mills Ford reflect on 50 years in Boca Grande at History Bytes

March 8, 2019
Staff Report
News

■ BY SUE ERWINStar Ford Whitney and Mills Ford, brother and sister who first came to Boca Grande in 1960 for spring vacation with their mother, Eleanor Ames, and her husband John S. Ames Jr., were...

A pioneering Florida family: The Albrittons, Part II

■ SUBMITTED BY TIMMY SPAIN Editor’s note: Columnist Tim Spain wrote a piece about the Albritton family in May, 2018. This is part two of that series. Aaron Robert Albritton or “Twister,” as many...