Featured News
Historic Preservation Board approves new ‘3rd Street Bistro’ design
August 15, 2024
Question of parking signage raised to staff
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board met Wednesday, and approved two projects, including an addition to a house at 235 Banyan St., and a renova…
Banyan tree report shows strong storm recovery
August 15, 2024
A new report on the health of the Banyan Street banyan trees shows that they have strongly recovered from recent hurricanes, and a moth attack in the spring.
“You get to really see the rev of the…
Boca Grande Fishing Pier still closed; damage to land
August 15, 2024
There is no timeline yet for the reopening of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier, closed by Charlotte County after Hurricane Debby.
But in a review Tuesday by the Boca Beacon, the erosion appears t…
History: Boca Grande resident and actor, impeccably mannered Brian Aherne
August 8, 2024
BY KAREN GRACE
Famous stars have been coming to Gasparilla Island for years, from Lana Turner to Robert Redford, Harrison Ford and Michael Keaton. The most famous was Katherine Hepburn, a relati…
Hurricane Debby caused flooding; Lee County avoided major impact from winds
August 8, 2024
Flooding and horticultural debris have been identified as the main impacts from Hurricane Debby, which was upgraded from a tropical storm classification on Sunday, Aug. 4.
During the Lee Board o…
Brown noddy of course, off course
August 8, 2024
No nesting birds lost during Debby; sea turtles not so lucky
There were several sea turtle nests on island that were impacted by Hurricane Debby, but the good news is that the nesting peak came…
Daring Coast Guard sailboat rescue 60 miles off Boca Grande
August 5, 2024
Coast Guard aircrews rescued two adrift boaters, Sunday, after their 34-foot sailing vessel lost its sail 73 miles off Boca Grande. No injuries were reported.
An Air Station Miami HC-144 Ocean…
Gasparilla Magazine, Beacon win state awards
August 1, 2024
At the Florida Press Association’s annual meeting, the Boca Beacon won 15 awards in the weekly paper category. The awards ceremony, held on July 26 at the Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando, recognized…
Olympic gelding jumper Baloutinue has local owner
August 1, 2024
Among the competitors at the equestrian grounds in Versailles, France for the jumping competition for the Paris Olympics is Baloutinue, a 14-year-old Hanoverian gelding. Baloutinue, with rider Laura…
Gasparilla Inn asks to be ‘Public and Community Benefit’ at Lee meeting
August 1, 2024
Two items on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 would allow The Gasparilla Inn and properties to be found a “public and community benefit” to presumptively be able…