News
Delays to be expected when crossing the Boca Grande Causeway on Friday
May 29, 2015
On Friday, May 29 between the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. there will be limited and/or no power to the bridge or toll booth, as the electric lines to the new tender house will be energized.
Accord…
Tarpon Festival Weekend coming up! A message from the Chamber of Commerce
May 29, 2015
BY LEW HASTINGS
Tarpon Fishing. For some it’s an old family tradition, one that goes back generations. The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament has become a tradition in its own right. In various it…
Fires around the island, vandalism at South Beach reported
May 29, 2015
Several incidents kept area firefighters busy over the Memorial Day weekend, but none of them were on Gasparilla Island. We did have one crime report, though.
On the afternoon of Saturday, May 23…
The land of shamrocks and leprechauns: Ireland
May 29, 2015
BY JEAN NETHERY
The Beacon welcomes back our occasional writer, Jean Nethery, who is writing this time about Ireland. This is part one in a two part series.
As our Boeing 757 touched down on…
This Saturday night the howling shall commence …
May 29, 2015
If you’re anywhere near Boca Grande Pass Saturday night, don’t be surprised if you hear some odd noises. The howling will be fierce, as the Howl at the Moon Invitational Tarpon Tournament will be ta…
Coupling failure closes bridge to traffic during holiday weekend
May 29, 2015
BY JACK SHORT
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority closed its swing bridge briefly to road traffic and for at least 19 hours to boat traffic beginning Sunday afternoon, according to representat…
Memorial Day weekend not kind to island sea turtles
May 29, 2015
BY MARCY SHORTUSE
Island sea turtle patrollers were full of excitement on Thursday, May 28 when they realized they had their first confirmed green turtle nest on Gasparilla Island.
“We’ve got…
More indicators of booming economic recovery
May 29, 2015
Shown in the two accompanying charts, mid-year tourist tax collections for Lee County (through March) have already surpassed FY10/11’s, not including late payments for that year.
Lee County Touri…
Anglers and artists make for a great combination during Tarpon Festival Weekend in downtown Boca Grande
May 29, 2015
BY CARROLL SWAYZE
Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists alike prepare for the 2015 Tarpon Festival in downtown Boca Grande on June 4 through 6. Each year thousands of people travel to the…
Obituary: Virginia Jeane Wilber
May 29, 2015
Virginia Jeane “Shay” Wilber, born in Albany, N.Y. on October 7, 1979 to the parents of Mr. and Mrs. David F. Wilber III, died unexpectedly at home on May 20, 2015.
Shay grew up in Oneonta, N.Y…