News
OPINION: Placida apartments and Coral Creek protected wetlands
February 19, 2026
BY ROB ROBBINS PRESIDENT, FRIENDS OF CAPE HAZE
On Feb. 9, the Charlotte County Planning and Zoning Board voted 4-1 to forward on to the Charlotte Board of County Commissioners a recommendation to…
New Chamber Back Bay Fishing Tournament
February 19, 2026
The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce has introduced the first annual Gasparilla Grande Slam Back Bay Fishing Tournament, to be held on March 28.
This inshore fishing event celebrates competit…
Thanks to Island School Golf Challenge supporters
February 19, 2026
BY THE ISLAND SCHOOL FOUNDATION
The Island School Foundation’s chairperson, Mary Johnston, summed up the day: “Conditions couldn’t have been much worse, but our community came out with their best…
Wrapping up the 2026 Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic
February 19, 2026
The Boca Beacon’s 2026 Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic opened on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026 and finished on Tuesday, Feb. 10.
We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible community for…
Elizabeth Kolbert to speak on mass extinction at Friends event
February 19, 2026
Editor’s Note: This has been rescheduled as of 2/5/26.
‘Everything (and everyone) alive today is descended from an organism that somehow survived the impact. But it does not follow from this that…
McDonald’s CEO helping Charlotte small biz
February 19, 2026
Built to Last: What Winning Restaurants Do Differently, an in-person program featuring restaurant industry leader Ed Rensi, will take place from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Feb. 23,, at the Military Heritag…
Developer of Gasparilla’s Sea Oats and Sanibel projects remembered
February 19, 2026
The co-founder of a Southwest Florida homebuilding company that built Sea Oats, a condo complex on the north end of Boca Grande, died on Jan. 23.
Milton William “Bill” Frey II moved to Sanibel i…
Businesses expand in Wellen
February 19, 2026
Two new tenants expanding in Wellen Park are Sassy Tarts! which has a bakery and restaurant in Placida, and the James Griffith Salon, with locations in Boca Grande at the Inn, and in Sarasota and Ve…
Punta Gorda Airport launches flight deal tracker
February 19, 2026
The Charlotte County Airport Authority announced that Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) finished 2025 with 2,282,002 passengers, which was an 18.5% increase compared to the previous record set in 2024 (1,92…
United Way Charlotte County appreciates campaign donation from Inn
February 19, 2026
United Way Charlotte County announced that The Gasparilla Inn has contributed $10,000 to its annual campaign, helping to strengthen programs that empower families, support employees and engage with…










