News
Sidewalk project moves forward
September 25, 2025
A sidewalk project at the north end of Gasparilla Island is moving forward. The project is along Gasparilla Road, just past where the sidewalk ends across from Kappy’s Island Shoppe. It will connect…
Reminder on subscriptions
September 25, 2025
As you pick your dates or make plans to return to your island residence, please remember to notify our office to change your address. A note: The Boca Grande Post Office is back open; even counter s…
Remembering Hurricane Helene, a year ago this week
September 25, 2025
It was this weekend, one year ago, that Hurricane Helene hit the United States. It caused over $78 billion in damage, with over 250 fatalities in its path from the Yucatan, past the tip of Cuba and…
Navigation District busy year after storms
September 25, 2025
As the West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) wraps up a year marked by three hurricanes, the agency is working on a number of waterway projects across Lee and Charlotte counties. “Great stri…
Renourishment at south end of island near hurricane-damaged state wall
September 25, 2025
Work on a sand renourishment project at the south end of Gasparilla Island has now extended north past Belcher Road and the old “Bocahenge” docks.
This week, bulldozers were moving as they pumped…
Parking Panel expansion sees interest
September 25, 2025
Lee County Commissioners are beginning to receive applications for positions on the Boca Grande Parking Panel, just as Charlotte County held discussions at their regular commission meeting this week…
Charlotte adds parking to state legislative agenda
September 25, 2025
Charlotte County Commissioners voted on Tuesday, Sept. 23 to include a statement on Boca Grande Parking in its 2026 State Legislative Agenda. Commissioners also discussed Charlotte County representa…
Remembering Dog Life columnist Harry Kalajian
September 25, 2025
Harry Kalajian, dog trainer, and columnist for the Boca Beacon since 2018, died Sunday, Sept. 14, after a brief illness.
Kalajian began training dogs professionally in 1986. In a 2023 column for…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Albert Earl Gilbert, honored for life’s work
September 25, 2025
Britannica to Audubon, noted nature illustrator
For years before making Cape Haze his home, artist Albert Earl Gilbert was a frequent visitor to Boca Grande. Drawn to the island’s coastal beauty…
North Port hires finance director
September 25, 2025
The City of North Port has named Irina Kukharenko as finance director. Kukharenko has served in the director role in an interim capacity for the past four months. She joined the city in April 2023 a…