News
Island resident creates chalk mural, sheriff’s deputy hoses it down
September 4, 2020
STAFF REPORT- A chalk mural down the length of Banyan Street became a bone of contention on Sunday morning, Aug. 30. The mural, painted in water and chalk, said “Black lives matter” in multi-colore…
Stages glow red with the hope to sway Congress
September 4, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- On Tuesday, Sept. 1, Friends of Boca Grande Community Center joined the nationwide effort, “Red Alert,” to light the outdoor stage red and plead to Congress to make a change. As …
Stories of early island fishing guides (Part II of II)
September 4, 2020
Part I of this series ran in the August 21 edition of the Boca Beacon. You can find it online at bocabeacon.com, or on our Facebook page with the same name. SUBMITTED BY THE BGHS- Boca Grande’s ear…
PROFILE: Chas Madden
September 4, 2020
Fishing on the fly… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- Chas Madden has fond memories of spending a portion of his childhood on the island. Even before he can remember, Chas was brought from his home in Orlando t…
Boca Grande primary results are in
August 28, 2020
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- final and complete voting count has been announced by the Lee County Board of Elections from the primary election held on August 18, and Boca Grande’s Precinct 18 stayed true-to…
GIBA to start work on Causeway sidewalk project
August 28, 2020
STAFF REPORT- The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority has announced the award of the Southern Roadway Sidewalk contract to EHC Inc. of Naples, FL.
Code enforcement receives 15 turtle lighting complaints
August 28, 2020
BY MARCY SHORTUSE- Calls and notifications to Lee County Code Enforcement are still coming in from Gasparilla Island, but this time they’re all about the turtles.
Maintaining the iguana population within limitations, George Cera ‘the iguana guy’ continues to monitor invasive islanders
August 28, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- What’s with all the iguanas? It’s a phrase you’ve likely heard recently, or maybe even uttered yourself. It’s true, our island iguana population is prolific, and in the hottest m…
Friends of Boca Grande on ‘red alert,’ keeping things flexible with the program
August 28, 2020
BY OLIVIA CAMERON AND FRIENDS OF BOCA GRANDE- The Florida Professional Presenters Consortium, a statewide organization of over 60 performing arts venues, including Friends of Boca Grande Community …
Spend a day in a park ranger’s boots
August 28, 2020
One man explains what it’s like to work our state park system BY OLIVIA CAMERON- A workday in the sweltering heat is a breeze to Gasparilla Island Beach State Park Ranger Joseph Berger, who remembe…