Skip to main content

Breaking News


Major expansion to Placida Park, ramp under way 

February 1, 2024
Charlotte County is planning a boat ramp expansion at Placida Park West, an upgrade that is much needed, according to people who regularly use the dock and ramp. “It gets very crowded,” said Ta…

Lee County seizes and loses first grader’s bike

January 26, 2024
Story updated 1-26. See editor’s note at bottom.  Two Island School students, including a first grader, had their padlocked bikes impounded by Lee County over Christmas vacation, in spite of th…

Community sees returns from its investment in Boca Grande’s young scholars

January 18, 2024
The Boca Grande Woman’s Club has discovered a way to develop new talent on and for the island, help young people achieve personal success, encourage investment in the community and feel rewarded w…

USPS responds to complaints about island postal service

January 12, 2024
In the last month, the Boca Beacon has received a number of complaints about missing packages and returned mail at the Boca Grande Post Office. The issues were so bad that someone took the time to…

446 4th Street East now officially historic

January 11, 2024
A frame storefront in Boca Grande, 446 4th Street East, is now officially a contributing building in the historic district. The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved the designation….

Bayou Bridge removed, for (almost) the last time

January 11, 2024
The temporary Bayou Bridge is mostly gone, at least temporarily. Wednesday, crews from Kelly Brothers Inc. were dismantling the center of the galvanized steel bridge, which partially sat on 7th…

Welcoming Lt. Mike Sawicki to Boca Grande

January 11, 2024
Lieutenant Mike Sawicki was not looking to change jobs when Capt. Jeff Corkhill told him about an opening for his position in Boca Grande. Mike (he is cool with being called “Mike” without the for…

New New Zealand mallets a hit for Gasparilla Inn’s croquet program

January 4, 2024
Croquet is a game for the ages, and this current age is seeing a surge of interest. The Croquet Club at The Gasparilla Inn is a major player in the sport, so to speak, and recently upped its game …

Resolutions: Half made ‘em, some already broke them, but all resolve to return

January 4, 2024
As crowds thronged through Boca Grande on New Year’s Day, there was a festive tone, as the weather had broken and hit somewhere around 72, depending on where you were. While optimism for the Ne…

Letters: Thank you to Capt. Jeff Corkhill

January 4, 2024
Editor’s note: Capt. Jeff Corkhill (pictured above at right) will be moving on from Boca Grande as of Monday, and Lt. Jeff Sawicki, who had been at Captiva Island, will be taking his place. Island…