News
Looking to land a big one? Sign up now for tournaments
May 5, 2017
■ STAFF REPORT The tarpon are biting in the Pass and tournament season is heating up in Boca Grande, so make sure you’re signed up for all the events you’re interesting in fishing. The first event wi…
GIWA declares water shortage due to drought
May 5, 2017
■ SUBMITTED BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND WATER ASSOCIATION The Gasparilla Island Water Association measured 2.47 inches of rain Tuesday morning at the wastewater treatment plant after a long-awaited dren…
Stump Pass dredging project to continue through May 15
May 5, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN The dredging of Stump Pass continues to draw questions, but Charlotte County leaders are calling the project priceless. The dredging will connect Lemon Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. The d…
2017 Gulf recreational red snapper state season opens weekends beginning May 6
May 5, 2017
■ STAFF REPORT The 78-day 2017 recreational red snapper season in Gulf of Mexico state waters opens Saturdays and Sundays in May starting May 6. On May 27, the season will open daily through July 9…
Profile: JoAnn Barwick
May 5, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN When JoAnn Barwick accepted a secretarial position at a public relations firm in New York City at the age of 22, she never would have guessed the serendipitous path that would eventua…
Obituary: Lucy Stanton
May 5, 2017
Lucy Stanton, 96, of Boca Grande, died on May 2, 2017. She was born Lucy Jane Keeler in Evanston, Illinois, and was the daughter of Lucy Derwent and Edwin R. Keeler, who was later president of the Ro…
Registration now open for summer programs on island
May 5, 2017
To the Editor: Registration has started for the 2017 summer camps at Lee County Parks & Recreation. These camps draw thousands of youngsters throughout the region to programs, outings and activi…
Fish on the pier this Saturday, kids!
April 28, 2017
■ STAFF REPORT Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Boca Beacon are sponsoring a Youth Fishing Tournament this Saturday, April 29 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Boca Grande North Fishing Pier. Bring y…
The time of the turtles is here, volunteers needed
April 28, 2017
■ BY SUE ERWIN Attention all sea turtle fans. The Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association is seeking volunteers to help patrol the beaches for the upcoming nesting season. It appears that nesting season h…
A little popping on the bridge: It’s nothing a bit of dry ice won’t fix
April 28, 2017
■ BY MARCY SHORTUSE. After several months of intense research, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority thinks they have narrowed down the cause of a popping sound under the new swing bridge when it…