News
Is it safe to swim? Waterborne worries have some swimmers puzzled
July 1, 2016
■ STAFF REPORT Recent media reports on the news and on Facebook have given way to more worries for people who love to swim in the Gulf and leave them wondering: Is it safe to go in the water? Accor…
Encouragement appreciated during search for swimmer
July 1, 2016
To the Editor: As everyone is aware, on the afternoon of Saturday, June 18, the Boca Grande Fire Department responded to a call for a missing swimmer at the Range Light. With other similar calls wo…
Reader not enthused with Sheriff Scott’s statement
July 1, 2016
To the Editor: This is in response to the editorial in the Beacon last week by Lee County Sheriff Mike Scott. No one is denying people the right to protect themselves, but this had nothing to do wi…
Obituary: William Harold Buettin
July 1, 2016
William Harold Buettin, 92, of Naples, died Wednesday morning, June 22, 2016 at Physicians Regional Hospital in Naples, Fla. Mr. Buettin was a native of Marion County, Ohio, son of the late Barney …
Obituary: Robert Alexander Melvin III
June 24, 2016
Capt. Robert Alexander Melvin III (retired USCG), 78, of Elizabeth City, N.C. died at home Wednesday, June 15, 2016.
Two bodies found in search for family of four and their sailboat
June 24, 2016
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE As of press time on Thursday, June 23 two bodies have been recovered in the search for a family of four missing in nearby waters, and it’s possible the sailboat has been located…
Englewood man dead after boat accident north of Gasparilla Island
June 24, 2016
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE In the early morning hours of Sunday, June 19, Dylan Gonzalez texted a photo of a juvenile tarpon to his girlfriend, Linsey Peyton. It was the first ever tarpon he had caught on…
Ripped away …
June 24, 2016
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE The disappearance of a swimmer off Range Light Beach on Saturday has left many locals and regular visitors pondering whether “safe” beaches are really safe at all. Javier Castro…
Family earns scuba certification through island employee
June 24, 2016
■ BY SUE ERWIN Stephanie Taylor and her husband Rodney have spent countless hours exploring the waters around Boca Grande aboard a boat owned by her father, Capt. Dumplin’ Wheeler. The Taylors and …
Turtle nest numbers increase despite stormy weather
June 24, 2016
■ BY SUE ERWIN The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association’s latest report for turtle nests recently showed that nests have increased for both green sea turtles and loggerheads. As of June 17, the assoc…