Skip to main content

Featured News

Woman’s Club donates $300K for Boca Grande Disaster Fund

In keeping with our mission, the Boca Grande Woman’s Club has made a gift of $300,000 to the Boca Grande Disaster Fund. The Club made this leadership gift to inspire others to invest in the effort…

Read More

Community

Methodist, Episcopal churches fare well

October 25, 2024

With all the destruction from the two recent hurricanes, at least two of the churches on the island are feeling blessed. There was minimal damage at both Lighthouse United Methodist Church and St….

Damage to Fust Library: Tale of two storms at the historic building

October 25, 2024

BY BOBBIE MARQUIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Before describing Hurricane Milton’s impact on the library, we must say that this is the second st…

Royal Palm Players’ temporary office

October 25, 2024

Editor’s Note: The Royal Palm Players sent out this letter to patrons and theatergoers. Dear Patrons and Friends: We hope this email finds you safe and sound. Our hearts go out to everyone affe…

Education

Woman’s Club scholarship applications

October 25, 2024

The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club will be accepting scholarship applications starting November 1, 2024, for the 2025–2026 school year. Applicants for the program must me…

Island School moves to Fellowship Church

October 18, 2024

BY CHRISTINE OLIVER We would like to provide you with an update regarding our transition to our temporary location. We are excited to welcome all students back on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024,…

GUEST COLUMNS: KELLENE CARPENTER

October 18, 2024

Reflecting on early childhood education at the preschool BY KELLENE CARPENTER Editor’s Note: Kelli Carpenter wrote this essay for the Beacon just before Helene. The school was hurt badly in …

Entertainment

Royal Palm Players’ temporary office

October 25, 2024

Editor’s Note: The Royal Palm Players sent out this letter to patrons and theatergoers. Dear Patrons and Friends: We hope this email finds you safe and sound. Our hearts go out to everyone affe…

Volunteers needed to bring fishing to Arcadia rodeo

September 19, 2024

The Coastal & Heartland National Estuary Partnership is putting on a Kids Fishing Clinic at the Arcadia Rodeo on Oct. 19, and are looking for volunteers. This event is by far the best of it…

Gasparilla Island Magazine issue looks at Mercury and Coral Creek

September 19, 2024

The September/October edition of Gasparilla Island Magazine is out with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a look at the presence of Mercury motor…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: New choirmaster, music minister at St. Andrew’s, Glen Olsen

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church has a new Minister of Music, Dr. Glen Olsen. The audience was small but appreciative when Dr. Glen Olsen made his first visit to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. It was largely family, since hurricane preparations were occupying most people who might otherwise have given him a warm welcome. Olsen is the […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Boca Grande Health Clinic post-Hurricane

October 18, 2024

BY MARK DRISCOLL, CEO As we begin the long road to recovery following Hurricane Milton, we want to express our heartfelt concern for all of you who have been affected. We are relieved to share …

Health Clinic operations detailed

October 3, 2024

BY MARK DRISCOLL, CEO The Boca Grande Health Clinic is operational with a small team onsite and physicians on call for urgent care. As you can imagine, our doctors have been busy over the last …

GIWA water continues its recovery from Helene

September 30, 2024

As Gasparilla Island dries out from Hurricane Helene, staff from the Gasparilla Island Water Authority are continuing to pump through much of the standing water that has leached into the sewer sys…

Healthy aging: Your best life can still start now, living with energy, purpose

September 19, 2024

September is Healthy Aging Month, and there’s never been a better time to think about what it means to live your best life, at any age. Who says that aging means slowing down? Today’s science show…

Police & Fire

Maine arrest for suspect in Scarpa’s check theft case

October 25, 2024

Restaurant missing over $100,000 in funds On Sunday, Oct. 13, Teresa J. Lessa, 50, of North Port was arrested at Bangor International Airport in Maine, after the Bangor Police Department was in…

Mercury outboards stolen off Boca Grande Isles

October 25, 2024

At approximately 10:15 a.m. on Monday, October 14th while on marked patrol in Boca Grande, Deputy Angelo Lanni responded to Jose Gaspar Drive in reference to a report of two boat motor thefts, acc…

Daily letters from Chief Blosser, the latest edition

October 18, 2024

BY CHIEF C.W. BLOSSER The Beacon has been putting the daily emails from Chief Blosser out on our Storm Center page at BocaBeacon.com. Chief, as folks call him, has an un-erring ability to …

Some observations from Gasparilla Island just after Hurricane Milton

October 11, 2024

While residents are not yet allowed back, numerous crews are on island today, and were there yesterday. Below are first-hand observations from Gasparilla Island on Thursday from George “Bo” Hambri…

News Archives

Obituaries

Andrew Ireland 1930 – 2024

Andrew Poysell Ireland (Andy), a former U.S. Member of Congress from Florida, banking executive, and beloved community leader, passed away peacefu…

Dr. Richard Farrior 1925 – 2024

Richard Thomas Farrior, M.D., passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on October 13, 2024 – three months shy of his 100th birthday. His …

Marjorie Fortgang 1933-2024

Marjorie Katz Fortgang died peacefully on October 5, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home on the island of Boca Grande, Florida. She wa…

Edward A. Dean Jr., 1940-2024

No one can deny that Edward A. Dean, Jr. was a devoted, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle who cared deeply for his family. He…

Mary Ann Lofgreen Roelse, 1929 – 2024

Mary Ann’s family invites you to join in a celebration of her life. Mary Ann lived a remarkable life surrounding herself with family, friends, and…