Skip to main content

News

Don Pedro ferry awaiting state park repairs in Charlotte County

August 7, 2025
Don Pedro Island boat ferry access will begin again once the island is repaired, said the boat concessionaire for Don Pedro Island State Park. “We need to allow the state to repair the island,” s…

Parking rules do not apply until signs are installed

August 7, 2025
While the new parking ordinance for Boca Grande will be filed with the state of Florida this week, it could be months before it is enforced. That means that current rules for parking and beaches, in…

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…

Charlotte launches floodplain tracker

August 7, 2025
The Charlotte County Community Development Department has officially launched Forerunner, a new online platform that gives residents quick, easy access to detailed flood information about their prop…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Martina Long

August 7, 2025
Her ship sailed to Boca Grande Friends Martina Long is stepping into her new role as program director for Friends of Boca Grande, overseeing event planning and talent booking for the upcoming sea…