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Car crash New Year’s Eve

A car accident at Gasparilla Road and 13th Street had no injuries, though Lee County EMS was called out as a precaution. Please drive carefully and slowly in the New Year. …

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Community

Downtown Boca Grande greets 2026

January 2, 2026

As 2025 winds down, smiling faces abound at local shops. Linda Smith at Sunsets of Boca Grande with some great sweaters still in stock; Jayden Duffy at Gasparilla Adventures repaired bikes; Sandy In…

Coming to Boca Grande, no matter the week’s big chill

January 2, 2026

In spite of the arrival of mid-week cold weather, there were still families out visiting local beaches. Over the weekend, when temps were in the 70s, island parking lots filled and there were so…

Schedule for parking stickers, passes, in New Year

January 2, 2026

Next week, parking pass pickups start back up again at the Crowninshield House, with dates through January. There are permits available for: “A” Resident decal – for Gasparilla Island residen…

Education

Scholarship application season announced

December 11, 2025

BY THE BOCA GRANDE WOMAN’S CLUB The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club will be accepting applications from November 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026. Students who are awarded the…

The Island School sets date for Chowder Dinner

November 13, 2025

The Island School PTO will host its 10th Annual Chowder Dinner on Friday, Jan. 16, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. Guests can enjoy a cash bar, live music by the Green Flash Ba…

K-9 Birdie visits The Island School

November 13, 2025

Lee County Deputy Barrs and his K-9 partner Birdie paid The Island School a visit on Tuesday, Oct. 14. Birdie is a Labrador, and her primary duty is to search for weapons on school campuses. She is…

Entertainment

Hermitage includes Espinosa on Music Mondays

January 2, 2026

At top, Adam O’Farrill. Photos submitted The Hermitage Artist Retreat has announced new programs to begin 2026, including public events featuring nationally recognized theater and music artists…

Upcoming January Music Programs

January 2, 2026

Blues with D.K. Harrell D.K. Harrell, a rising star in the blues world, will perform on Friday, Jan. 16 at 5 p.m. at the Boca Grande Community Ctr. Auditorium, 131 First St. W, Boca Grande. Call…

Agatha Christie’s Mousetrap with Palm Players beginning Jan. 10

January 2, 2026

BY ELAINE SKYPALA, ROYAL PALM PLAYERS When Agatha Christie wrote this thrilling murder mystery, she would never have guessed that The Mousetrap would become the longest-running play in history…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Joie Chitwood III

From standing on cars to running the show For longtime Boca Beacon readers, the Chitwood name may stir a memory. In the May 18, 1990 edition of this paper, Joie Chitwood Jr. was featured in a profile that captured a life shaped by speed, showmanship and a deep family tradition in racing. More than three […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Dr. Larry Antonucci leaves as CEO of Lee Heath

December 29, 2025

Lee Health President and CEO Dr. Larry Antonucci has announced that he will not renew his employment contract when it concludes on September 30, 2026. Dr. Antonucci, who has served as CEO since 2…

Clinic work and a welcome back patients

December 4, 2025

BY MARK DRISCOLL As we welcome many of you back to the island, I would like to share a brief update on what’s been happening at the Boca Grande Health Clinic – from construction progress and new…

Ask a Doc: Avoid the uh-ohs when the grandkids visit

November 20, 2025

BY CHARLOTTE C. COWAN, MD Few things are more joyful – or more unpredictable – than a grandchild’s visit. Children inevitably bring with them both fun and minor chaos. And, as every grandparent k…

Englewood Hospital earns distinctions

October 30, 2025

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital announced Wednesday that it has earned multiple five-star distinctions for exceptional clinical performance from Healthgrades, the online doctor or hospital ratings se…

Police & Fire

Car crash New Year’s Eve

January 2, 2026

A car accident at Gasparilla Road and 13th Street had no injuries, though Lee County EMS was called out as a precaution. Please drive carefully and slowly in the New Year. …

Sheriff: Vigilant islander finds fraud activity on credit report

January 2, 2026

Monday Dec. 15, Deputy Angelo Lanni of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, responded to an island man who had found fraudulent activity during a review of his credit reports. The man found that som…

Boca Grande Fire Department honors

December 26, 2025

From left to right: Sarah Cislo with Chief C.W. Blosser. Cislo successfully completed her rigorous 12 month training and testing program and is now recognized as a 1st Class Firefighter; Erik Fatica…

Coast Guard suspends search for Fort Myers boaters

December 23, 2025

The Coast Guard suspended the weekend search for two missing boaters at sunset Monday, pending the development of new information. Missing are 57-year-old Randall Spivey and 33-year-old Brandon Bill…

News Archives

Obituaries

In Memoriam: Goodbyes for 2025 in Boca Grande Obituaries

The Boca Beacon remembers and honors those members of our community who died in 2025. We invite readers to go online at the end of this year to…

David A. Jenkins, 1941-2025

David Albert Jenkins, 84 died peacefully on December 12, 2025, watching the sun set on the Gulf of Mexico from his home in Boca Grande. His loving a…

Thomas C. McDermott 1936-2025

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Thomas C. McDermott, who left us on December 7, 2025 at the age of 89. Surrounded by his…

William Colehower 1937-2025

Born May 28, 1937, in Abington, Pennsylvania to Emily Squibb Colehower and Harry Howard Colehower, Bill was raised in a close family that loved one…

Barry Lohmeyer Stout 1942-2025

Barry Lohmeyer Stout passed away at her home in Augusta, Georgia, after a prolonged illness. She was born on March 25, 1942, in Baltimore, Maryland…