News
Chapman honored with lifetime achievement award by PTHA
May 30, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Boca Grande resident and horsewoman extraordinaire Pat Chapman was honored this month by the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association with the greatest honor that they b…
Are you ready for the 2021 Kids’ Classic?
May 30, 2021
STAFF REPORT – If you are interested in getting a team together for the 2021 Gasparilla Island Kids Classic, you had better scramble. While there are still spots left on the roster, all local capta…
County commissioners amend island overnight parking ordinance
May 30, 2021
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – On Tuesday, May 18 Lee County Commissioners met and unanimously passed an ordinance that prohibits overnight parking in specific designated area for buses and recreational vehi…
FDEP postpones vote to stop commercial use at Cayo Costa State Park’s ‘Narrows’
May 30, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – The Florida Department of Recreation and Parks has postponed the Cayo Costa State Park Management Plan vote which was scheduled to come before the Acquisition and Restoration …
Dads, their babies, and the fishing tradition
May 30, 2021
This story is the first in a series devoted to fathers, and their importance in our lives. Highlighted will be some of the more common activities many of us remember when we think of our dads.
BY T…
Gasparilla Island Magazine team nominated for eight Florida Magazine Association awards
May 30, 2021
STAFF REPORT – The staff of Gasparilla Island Magazine (primarily consisting of the same staff who brings you the Boca Beacon) have been nominated for eight awards in the Florida Magazine Associati…
History Center and Island TV collaborate on second COVID video
May 30, 2021
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – Last year in the early days of COVID, the History Center and Island TV worked together to document the reaction of individuals, businesses and orga…
PROFILE: Rob Knapp
May 30, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – It was one year ago, May 25, that the murder of George Floyd hit the news. As our nation watched, Rob Knapp was eager to take action.
“We wanted to fix this problem. Thi…
‘No trespassing’ on the beach by Hill Tide?
May 23, 2021
BY SUSAN HANAFEE – A walk on the beach didn’t have the same meaning that it used to for some island residents and visitors this past season, as developers and homeowners took steps to keep the publ…
FDEP urged by environmental group to stop commercial use at Cayo Costa’s ‘Narrows’
May 23, 2021
BY T MICHELE WALKER – On any given day, the Division of Park and Recreation’s concessionaire transports as many as 100 people across the 450-foot wide mangrove and beach dune area for shelling trip…