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Renourishment tax could await island property owners

August 7, 2025
Lee County will consider a new MSBU tax for Gasparilla Island if new parking restrictions impact beach renourishment funding. The recently passed parking ordinance will possibly involve the impositi…

A MESSAGE FROM THE PINK PONY

August 7, 2025
My heart is with Boca Grande, no matter which side BY NIKKI HEIMANN Editor’s Note: We share this message from the Boca Beacon Facebook. The Pink Pony is the first business people see in downto…

COLUMNS: MATTHEW HACKL

August 7, 2025
Boca Grande: Curve of the horizon, dignity of a heron BY MATTHEW HACKL I was born in May of 1999, but in some ways, I was born again each time I crossed the toll bridge returning to Boca Grand…

It used to be her town. But we must work this out.

August 7, 2025
The last real top 40 hit from James Taylor was a duet with J.D. Souther. The song “Her Town Too” did not reach that high on the Billboard list in 1981, but many will remember it as a lament about ho…

Next week’s Charlotte County meetings

August 7, 2025
Charlotte County government meetings for the coming week: Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, 1:30 p.m. – Planning and Zoning Board, Charlotte County Administration Center, 18500 Murdock Circle, Room 119, Port C…

Remembrance of Helen Beardsley

August 7, 2025
FROM THE BOWEN FAMILY The Bowen family celebrated the late Helen Beardsley, who died June 19, 2025. Born in 1928, she had nine children, 23 grandchildren and 39 great grandchildren. The family wa…

Friends gears up for season

August 7, 2025
The Friends of Boca Grande team is gearing up for the 2025-26 season. Left to right: Kyle Rich, Judy Prestia, Melissa Richardson, Tammy Rigney, Marta Howell, Martina Long and D.J. Keisling.         …

Cruising the Island!

August 7, 2025
The Porsche Club of America was in Boca Grande recently for one of its regular outings. Rob Vigorito, vice president of the Everglades Region of the PCA, organized the outing, which included lun…

Lee County passes island beach parking restrictions

August 5, 2025
Above, Chamber director Gary Cross addresses the board. Photo by Matt           The Gasparilla Island parking ordinance passed unanimously at Tuesday’s Lee County Commissioners meeting with sever…

Renourishment shortfall with parking rule   

July 31, 2025
$4.2 million example BY MARCY SHORTUSE A proposed parking plan for Gasparilla Island will affect the island’s future beach renourishment funding and could include a tax for renourishment, acco…