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Lee commissioner Mulicka talks on beach access and Boca Grande

In interview last week he shared thoughts after visit Editor’s Note: The Boca Beacon sat down with Commissioner David Mulicka for a profile two weeks ago. He had additional thoughts on beach acc…

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Community

Our Lady gets reredos restoration after floods; organ is next on program

At the end of May the sanctuary of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church looked remarkably like it did before the ravages of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The pews are back in place and the artwork has…

Lee commissioner Mulicka talks on beach access and Boca Grande

In interview last week he shared thoughts after visit Editor’s Note: The Boca Beacon sat down with Commissioner David Mulicka for a profile two weeks ago. He had additional thoughts on beach acc…

Progress continues with Community Center renovations

Progress on the Boca Grande Community Center continues as summer camps are set to begin next week. Friends of Boca Grande, which oversees the renovation, debated raising the whole building earli…

Education

Front page graduate

Kate Hopkins recently graduated from Kent’s Hill High School. She will be attending Colby College in the fall as a Global Studies major. Kate decorated her graduation cap to model the Boca Beacon fr…

Pat Neal funds $500,000 New College gift

Florida builder Pat Neal and his wife Charlene have completed a $500,000 gift to New College. The contribution fulfills a pledge made in 1977 and affirms Neal’s continued belief in New College’s…

Scholarship awards

The Boca Grande Woman’s Club has proudly awarded 14 scholarships to students this year. The scholarships are given to students who have a grade point average above a B, have a strong work or volunte…

Entertainment

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mr. Market triplets

Dad and kids put together a board game A new finance board game for families, “Mr. Market,” is the creation of a family of longtime Boca Grande regulars. The Jack White family connected to Boca G…

Fishing license free in June weekends

This summer’s license-free fishing weekends are on June 7-8 for saltwater and June 14-15 for freshwater. Residents and visitors are encouraged to explore the many recreational fishing opportunities…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Affectionate family biography of television’s Robert Dale Martin

Editor’s Note: The following is an excerpt from a family biography of actor and producer Robert Burns Nachtmann, professionally known as Robert Dale Martin, the noted casting director of CBS during…

Profiles, Sports & Outdoors

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Calusa Waterkeeper, Joe Cavanaugh

Our water watchman A new Calusa Waterkeeper recently joined the mission of protecting Southwest Florida’s water resources from pollution, misuse and overdevelopment. Joe Cavanaugh now holds this position and is already working to build alliances, share his knowledge and put his experience to work for the public good. Joe brings with him years of experience. “I […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

Water disenfection process change planned by utility in June

Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. will be temporarily changing the disinfection process for its Placida and Boca Grande potable (drinking water) water supply. From June 2, at 7 a.m. through…

Groundbreaking on the Clinic of the Future, with one-year timetable

The Boca Grande Health Clinic of the Future hopes to formally begin construction this month, after a ceremonial groundbreaking last Thursday afternoon, May 1. The groundbreaking included staff…

Honoring the staff at the Boca Grande Health Clinic for Nurses Week

Every year from May 6 to May 12, organizations across the country take time to honor the people who are truly at the heart of patient care: our nurses. National Nurses Week recognizes the vital role…

Debbie Frank named as new Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation executive director

The executive committee of the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation has announced the appointment of Debbie Frank as the executive director of the foundation, effective May 5, 2025. Debbie brings…

Police & Fire

New truck to help with hydrants, backup for storms

At the end of May, the Boca Grande Fire Department purchased a new truck to account for fire hydrants damaged by Hurricanes Milton and Helene last fall. Currently on island, there are around 10…

Obtain hurricane passes from the Fire Department

Hurricane season has officially begun and the time to prepare is now. Part of that preparation for Gasparilla Island residents, property owners and business owners should be to obtain hurricane pass…

Girl recovering after shark bite near 22nd Street

Surgeons were able to reattach hand A little after noon on Wednesday, June 11, a nine-year-old girl was injured by an apparent shark bite on the 2200 block of Shore Lane, according to Lee EMS ale…

Shark bite reported on 22nd Street in Boca Grande

A little after noon on Wednesday, June 11, a child was injured by an apparent shark bite on the 2200 block of Shore Lane, according to Lee EMS alerts. The 911 alert, which went out at 12:11 p…

News Archives

Obituaries

Alice Kubista, 1936-2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Alice Elizabeth (Maris) Kubista who reunited with our Lord on May 29th, 2025. S…

Zelma Otto, 1926-2025

BY MARCY SHORTUSE Zelma H. Otto, a woman who many on the island fondly call their “second mama,” passed away on March 24, 2025, at the age of 98…

Melissa Landon 1967-2025

Melissa A. Landon, 57, passed away on April 9, 2025. A native of Australia and a long time artist of Boca Grande, Mel had a deep love of the ocean…

Joseph Junkin 1939-2025

Joseph (Joe) Swan Junkin, died peacefully from pulmonary fibrosis on March 29, 2025, with his loving family by his side. Born on June 17, 1939, Joe…

George Robinson 1943-2025

George Cooke Robinson passed away on April 1st, 2025, at age 81, due to complications from a fall. George was an avid traveler, chef, dog lover and…