Author: Marcy Shortuse

‘You’re breaking up … I can’t hear you’

February 23, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
News

Our lack of ‘comms’ spurs a plan by several islanders What’s that? I can’t hear you … you’re breaking up. You’re not alone if you feel daily frustration when trying to call out or receive...

Remember this view? It’s back!

February 23, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
News

It took a minute, but the kayak launch at 19th Street is back in business! The launch, part of the Great Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail (a 190-mile marked canoe and kayak trail that meanders through...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Ched McConnell

February 23, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
News, Profiles

Indomitable is kind of an old fashioned word. You don’t hear it used much today. If you say someone has an indomitable spirit, you admire them because they never give up or admit they have been defeated....

OBITUARY: Harry Childs III

February 23, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
Obituaries

On February 17, 2023, Harry Childs’ daughter went into his room and opened the window to let a breeze in. A 1950s hymnal selection was playing in the background. A song called “Here I am, Lord” came...

THE BOCA BEACON’S (NOT-SO) ACCUWEATHER FORECAST

RED TIDE REPORT FOR WEEK OF 2/24/2023

Over the past week, the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was detected in 107 samples from and offshore of Southwest Florida, and one from Florida’s East Coast. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter)...

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO Work began on the new Gasparilla Island Water Association, The Island School held their annual Friendship Dance and the Pine Leaf Boys were shakin’ it at...

Lee County Sheriff and staff meet with island organization heads to discuss employment of person on sex offender list

February 16, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
News, Police & Fire

Sometimes, doing the right thing and enforcing important laws isn’t as easy as it sounds. Such is the case with the continuing saga of a person hired by two island organizations who, it was discovered,...

Lack of cell phone service almost claims a life

February 16, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
News, Police & Fire

If you’re tired of the unreliable cell phone service the island has experienced since the storm, be thankful you don’t have an emergency call to make. Jim Turpin found out last Friday, Feb. 10 that...

Missing woman found, missing scuba diver found this past week

February 16, 2023
Marcy Shortuse
News, Police & Fire

The Boca Grande Fire Department and island Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to several calls this past week, included one of a missing woman who was found, and an agency assist to locate...