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Whiddens Centennial, 1926-2026

The Boca Beacon is celebrating the centennial of Whidden’s in a special edition August 28. The edition will include a history of the marina, as well as recollections. We are asking visitors and r…

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Orchid Society new members; active since 1966

Above, clockwise from left, Candy Cohen, Laurie Motter, John Alessandro, Diane Griste, Terri Carr, Debbie Robbins, Martha Everson. Photo submitted At a recent Englewood Area Orchid Society meetin…

Lee Commissioners approve the purchase of four parcels for Conservation 20/20

Three parcels are on Pine Island and the fourth is east of Interstate 75 The Lee Board of County Commissioners continued its support of the Conservation 20/20 program on Tuesday with votes to ap…

Business & Real Estate: Charlotte County updates on its fishing pier reconstruction progress

BY HECTOR FLORES, COUNTY MANAGER The topic of fishing piers has been getting a lot of attention among residents, especially on social media. The County Commission has been very proactive this…

Tech market to support local Charlotte Technical students

Charlotte Technical College is starting a new vendor market on its campus. This event hopes to bring in 100 vendors, food trucks, hands-on activities and more. The idea came from numerous student an…

Island School hosts open house for back-to-school as August looms

The Island School will host its Back-to-School Open House and Meet the Teacher Night from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6. The event gives families an opportunity to meet their child’s teacher, v…

Island School rates ‘A’ in yearly state report

The Island School has once again earned an “A” rating from the Florida Department of Education for 2026. In a release, Head of School Christine Oliver said that the achievement “reflects the dedi…

New Gasparilla Island Magazine out for July/August

Above, the July/August Gasparilla Magazine cover image captured by H Wetzel in Key West in 2023. The new Gasparilla Magazine is out for July/August 2026. Inside are a bevy of stories in one o…

4th Golf Cart Parade

The Boca Grande Fourth of July Golf Cart Parade is set for Saturday morning. The event is an annual July 4th tradition on the island. There are no entry fees, and you just need to line up around 8:3…

Summer Live Music Series at Scarpa’s

Kenny Rose performed at Scarpa’s Coastal last week for Scarpa’s “Island Summer Live Music Series.” Amy Cyr will be performing on Friday, June 26 from 5 to 8 p.m., 321 Park Ave., Boca Grande …

Profiles, Sports & Outdoors

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dusty McGonigal

Latest in generation of guide leadership Above, Dusty with his wife, Nicole, and daughters Alana and Ava. Photo submitted This year, the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association took on a new relevance. Fresh off a new website, it held a neighborhood party at Whidden’s to kick off tarpon season and promote Boca Grande’s guides and […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Boil-water notice for Cole Island rescinded

The boil-water notice issued for the Cole Island portion of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande North Association was rescinded Monday, July 6. “All of the bac-t samples have been cleared by Sander…

Boil Water Notice for Cole Island and Boca Grande North

Editor’s Note: The notice has been rescinded as of July 6. A Precautionary Boil Water Notice has been issued for the Cole Island portion of Gasparilla Island and Boca Grande North…

First patients at new Health Clinic

Kim Newlin (above) was the first patient appointment at the new clinic. Photographed with Dana Pellant, L.P.N. Kimberly Whipple (right) was the first same-day patient at the new clinic. Photogra…

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…

Coast Guard assists in Placida leakage

Last week, the Beacon reported on a felony arrest for a derelict boat leaking diesel fuel into Gasparilla Sound. The Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Fort Myers Beach pollution responders found…

Damaged barge investigation

Lack of evidence closed the case for sheriffs Just after 1 p.m. on Monday, July 27 a Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the Placida Boat Ramp at 6499 Boca Grande Causeway in re…

Diesel pollution spurs pursuit and arrest

At 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 12 Deputy Jonathan Smith with the Charlotte County Sheriff Marine Patrol was monitoring the waterway in the area of Gasparilla Sound near 13000 Fishery Road in Placida a…

Lightning hits condo during Sunday morning storm

The trucks assembled outside the condo on Sunday. Photo by Trey Winter. A lightning strike was the cause of a roof fire at a condo on the east side of Boca Grande North that began sometime before…

News Archives

Fred Scott 1941-2026

Capt. Frederic ‘Fred’ E. Scott has cast out his last line in Boca Grande waters. He passed away on June 10, 2026 at the age of 85, and joins many of…

Bonnie Simonds 1938-2026

Bonnie Helen Simonds passed away on July 22 in Englewood, Florida. Bonnie grew up in Wilmette, Illinois, where she attended New Trier East High Scho…

Peter Diebold 1938-2026

Peter DeWitt Diebold was born November 13, 1938, in Buffalo, New York. He passed away on July 13, 2026, in Boca Grande, Florida. Peter received a…

John Larsen 1939-2026

John Allen Larsen was born on August 10, 1939, and died at home surrounded by family and friends in St. Paul, Minnesota on July 16, 2026. Born in Ve…

Patricia Schuler 1930-2026

Patricia “Pat” Schuler, a longtime resident of Boca Grande, Florida, passed peacefully with her family by her side on June 28, 2026, at the Tidewell…