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Hurricane repairs continue at state parks

Final hurricane-related fixes for the south end of the island at Gasparilla Island State Park began this week. “Right now they are sanding and repainting the pilings that hold up the lighthouse,”…

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Expanded speed limit zone in town

Lee County quietly downgraded the speed limit on a portion of Gasparilla Road from 45 mph to 30 mph, which is the speed in town. The change happened from 17th Street to 19th Street in March. The cha…

Parking meetup votes increased fine, defers decision on church, retailers

In its second meeting, the Boca Grande Parking Committee passed one recommendation: to increase the fines for blocking a commercial driveway to the same level as a residential driveway. It deferred…

Stamp Out Hunger food drive

The Rotonda West American Legion Post 113 helped the U.S. Post Office with their Stamp Out Hunger food drive last Saturday. Postal workers dropped off their food collections at the Rotonda West…

Island School Grads

Wednesday, May 20, The Island School will have a golf cart parade to recognize the fifth-grade graduates. Each year the fifth graders write their favorite moments at the school ahead of graduation…

Island School students study at Mercabo in marine partnership

Above, Dr. Jim Locascio talking to the students about the acoustic receivers and how they work. Photo submitted The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association, in partnership with…

Letters: Thank you on behalf of the Boca Grande Preschool

To the Editor: A special thank you to the staff of the Beacon for the coverage and support they gave to the Boca Grande Preschool’s Groundbreaking Ceremony. Additional thanks to Boca…

TARPON SCHEDULE 2026

Ladies Day Fishing The annual Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament will be held on Saturday, May 9 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. An open awards party to follow at Scarpa’s Coastal from 8 to 10 p.m. This ye…

Memorial Day sandbar lineup announced

On Saturday, May 23, the Uncle Don’s Boca H2O Music Festival will be held in the water off the sandbar between Gasparilla Island and Placida. The concert is put together by Big Boy Toyz Expo. The…

Lemon Bay High spring concert salutes America 250

The Lemon Bay High School band will present a spring concert Thursday, May 7, at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center, featuring a program celebrating the sound, spirit and story of America as the n…

Profiles, Sports & Outdoors

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Brandon Moody

Charlotte water quality expert Charlotte County has made a major commitment to water quality in the hiring of Brandon Moody, who carries the simple title of the county’s water quality manager. Two weeks ago on May 2, he came for two hours to talk to Cape Haze residents about what he does, and what he […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

New Boca Grande Health Clinic dedicated

The Boca Grande Health Clinic opened the doors of their new Clinic of the Future on Tuesday, with over 300 gathered. The $30 million project not only includes new clinic offices and facilities, but…

Boca Grande ‘Clinic of the Future’ dedicated this week

More than 300 people gathered on May 5 as the Boca Grande Health Clinic officially dedicated its new Clinic of the Future to the community and recognized the many donors who made the project possibl…

Clinic: Mother’s Day is perfect time to reflect on women’s health

BY NATALIE COLE, R.N. BOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC If you are struggling to think of the perfect gift this Mother’s Day, consider something many women rarely give themselves: time to focus on their…

Parkinson’s: A growing disease hiding in plain sight

Pictured above are Larry and Anita Dust, Red Tulip Board Members and volunteers at an Indiana Parkison Foundation event held at The Picklr in 2025. April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a time t…

Beachgoers come together to save swimmer

Last week, several bystanders on a Gasparilla Island beach rescued a man who was in danger of drowning in the Gulf. On Friday, May 8, just after noon, a man was pulled from the water near the Gas…

Fire Department meets

The next Board of Fire Commissioners meeting for the Boca Grande Fire Department will be held next Wednesday, May 20. All board meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at 5 p.m. at th…

April parking tickets reported by Lee Sheriff

From April. 1 to April 30, 2026, there were a total of 204 parking citations issued in Boca Grande, one less than the total for both February and March. During the same period, there were 31 warn…

Boca Grande assists in Pine Island boat fire

The Boca Grande Fire Department responded to a three-boat fire at Jugg Creek in Bokeelia on Friday afternoon, May 1. Three boats caught fire just before 4 p.m., creating thick black smoke that co…

News Archives

DeeAnn Phillips 1938-2026

We are heartbroken to share the passing of our beloved DeeAnn Phillips, who passed peacefully with her family by her side on April 20, 2026. DeeAnn…

Celebration of Life April 26 for Chef Lenny Clymer

There will be a celebration of life at The Temptation Restaurant from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26 for Leonard “Lenny” E Clymer, 66. Leonard…

Robert Vanden Bosch 1936-2026

Robert Vanden Bosch of Chicago, IL and Boca Grande passed away on March 22, 2026 at Brighton Gardens Assisted Living in Chevy Chase MD. Robert grew…

Paul ‘Chico’ Euwer 1935-2026

Paul (Chico) Euwer, from Boca Grande and Ligonier, PA, died on March 23, 2026. He graduated from the Lawrenceville School, Princeton and the Wharton…

Capt. John Spinks Celebration

Capt. John Spinks, best known as Capt. ‘Tater’ Spinks, died March 8, 2026. Born Jan. 1, 1947, he was a long-time Boca Grande fishing captain. Ta…