News
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Sok Nam Park
May 2, 2025
From Korea to a Boca Grande garden
An interesting life is rarely a carefree life. It is in overcoming obstacles that much of the fulfilling and exciting twists and turns of life take place. Sok N…
Patchwork of Policies: How Florida beach towns manage public access
May 2, 2025
BY MARCY SHORTUSE
With a considerable population increase in Florida in the last five years, more and more Florida beach towns are being forced to consider what their options are as far as parkin…
Emails shed light on parking and beach access, as policy develops
May 2, 2025
Currently, the Boca Beacon is waiting on a public records request from Lee County to get a better understanding of what is happening with a proposed parking ordinance. This week, we were made aware…
Art festival begins tarpon season of events on May 13
May 1, 2025
Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists prepare for the 2025 “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament and the Annual Boca Grande Tarpon Festival May 13 to 16 in downtown Boca Grande.
The Tarpon…
Irrigation overuse
May 1, 2025
Irrigation overuse last weekend resulted in a low pressure for water across the island.
“We had about 30 percent chance of running out of water,” said Ron Bolton, executive director of Gasparilla…
O’Bannon on famed fishing podcast
May 1, 2025
Capt. Phil O’Bannon appeared this week on the Mill House podcast. The sporting show podcast is led by Andy Mill, an athlete, broadcaster and author. Mill, an Olympic skier, is the author of “A Passi…
Debbie Frank named as new Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation executive director
May 1, 2025
The executive committee of the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation has announced the appointment of Debbie Frank as the executive director of the foundation, effective May 5, 2025.
Debbie brings…
Fund for replacement deputy house now at about $190,000
May 1, 2025
Fundraising continues for a new house for a sheriff’s deputy house on Gasparilla Island. This week, over $55,000 came in, with a total of approximately $190,000 raised so far. Last week, $76,000 was…
Keylime Bistro reopens at station, adds additional indoor seating
May 1, 2025
Keylime Bistro reopened at the train station Saturday. The restaurant was essentially rebuilt, with new kitchen and a removal of the bar, so that the inside seating is larger. All the familiar train…
New banyan arrives for Town Park landscaping
May 1, 2025
BY THE GICIA
The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association Town Park, located between 3rd and 5th Streets, is buzzing with activity. Restoration began on Monday, April 21.
D…