News
Memorial Day landscaping for Boca Grande Veteran’s Memorial
May 22, 2025
Editor’s Note: The flag is up!
While the American flag may not be up by Memorial Day, the Boca Grande Veterans Memorial at 5th and Gilchrist is at least landscaped and ready, after help from The…
Red Gill tourney this Sunday benefits Maritime Museum
May 22, 2025
This Sunday, May 25 is the 2025 Red Gill Invitational tarpon tournament at Whidden’s Marina.
The tournament, hosted by William Woodroffe, raises money for the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum, h…
Sheriff report: Tesla hit with Gatorade bottle in Boca Grande
May 22, 2025
On May 6, Lt. Mike Sawicki of Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to a criminal mischief complaint involving an altercation with a group of young men and a man driving a Tesla at the bridge on Har…
Preschool house sale nets $2.4 million
May 22, 2025
The owners of a Gilchrist property, who wish to remain anonymous, have sold their house, the proceeds of which will assist in funding the new preschool building’s construction.
The house wa…
Water disenfection process change planned by utility in June
May 22, 2025
Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its Placida and Boca Grande potable (drinking water) water supply. From June 2, at 7 a.m. through…
Loss of landscaping makes for challenges for residents, turtle nests
May 22, 2025
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY
Sea turtle nesting activity on the island is picking up as we progress further into May. With this increase in activity comes the BGSTA’s annual reminder about how…
The Island School golf cart parade is Wednesday, May 28
May 22, 2025
This coming Wednesday, join in celebrating The Island School 5th grade graduates as the golf cart parade makes its way through town. The parade will take place on May 28 between 11:45 a.m. to noon t…
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Affectionate family biography of television’s Robert Dale Martin
May 22, 2025
Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from a family biography of actor and producer Robert Burns Nachtmann, professionally known as Robert Dale Martin, the noted casting director of CBS during…
Pendergrass in D.C. with Gators
May 22, 2025
Lee County Commissioner Cecil L. Pendergrass, Vice Chairman of the Lee County Board of County Commissioners and proud resident of Southwest Florida’s Congressional District 19, was invited to th…
This Date: Hillside’s pier, cracks in bridge and time capsule at Lighthouse United
May 22, 2025
Looking back into previous Boca Beacon issues:
FIVE YEARS AGO: The Seagate Development Group was reconstructing the pier accessible to the Hill Tide Estates. The pier used to be an old oil dock…