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Gasparilla evacuation and the Gasparilla Island Water Authority, links to press conferences

Today on Gasparilla Island, everyone is buttoning up and preparing, and the streets are getting quieter. According to Ron Bolton, executive director of the Gasparilla Island Water Authority, the u…

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Community

Weekend trash update, Boca Grande, Lee County side

October 5, 2024

Lee County Solid Waste will be back on Boca Grande shortly after daybreak Monday, even though rain is forecast. Messaging related to storm preparation can be found by following Lee County Governme…

Island fund created for businesses, institutions

October 3, 2024

BY LARRY HANNAH In order to aid island businesses, The Boca Grande Disaster Committee is back in action to help with the clean-up and restoration of Boca Grande after the impact of Hurricane He…

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…

Education

Island School hopes Monday open

October 3, 2024

BY CHRISTINE OLIVER, HEAD OF SCHOOL Students’ first day back to school is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. However, we still need the all-clear from the county. Lee County Facili…

Lighthouse United Methodist begins youth programs

September 19, 2024

The Lighthouse United Methodist Church WAG Club started up again for the school year on Monday, Sept. 16. WAG, which stands for Wiggly Afternoon Games, is a free after-school program for students …

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Michigan to Boca Grande Preschool, Jackie Eby

August 29, 2024

Being known as a jack of all trades is a good thing. It means you are versatile, resourceful, multi-talented and able to move smoothly from one helpful thing to another. The Boca Grande Preschool …

Entertainment

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…

Date set for Big Mouth Chili Cook-Off on Nov. 9

September 12, 2024

The Big Mouth Chili Cook-Off, hosted by the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce, will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9 on the lawn at the Boca Grande Community Center. Contestants…

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A fix for flooded Gasparilla Road

The Lee rescue crew The Lee County Department of Transportation has worked tirelessly to alleviate Boca Grande’s flooded roadways after Hurricane Helene passed off the coast. County crews were out in full force the entire weekend after the storm and continued to work on drainage issues all week. From Friday, Sept. 27, through Sunday night, […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

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…

Chalk cleanup for overflow at GIWA water works

September 6, 2024

A half-million gallons of rainy sewage leaked onto the Gasparilla Island Water Authority plant grounds after Hurricane Debby. The spill was at 2:05 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. It did not go into the B…

Police & Fire

Briefly: Battery on island

October 3, 2024

On Wednesday, September 25, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a battery on island, according to a department report. Deputy David Scozzafava and Lieutenant Mike Sawicki responded to …

Lithium batteries and salt cause extra fire risk

October 3, 2024

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, local fire departments, including the Boca Grande Fire Department, are responding to alarms relating to lithium batteries. When exposed to water, these batter…

Updating road conditions for Monday commute into Boca Grande

September 29, 2024

Editor’s update: At the end of day Monday, the road was clear of water. For those that need to commute into Boca Grande, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority is open, and Boca Grande Fire Dep…

Update from Lee County on Boca Grande operations for Hurricane Helene cleanup

September 29, 2024

Lee County today sent an update to the Beacon and the community today to tell of post-Hurricane Helene efforts in Boca Grande. A few departmental updates for residents from the public information …

News Archives

Obituaries

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…

Peter Regnery, 1943 – 2024

My heart is ready, O God, my heart is ready: I will sing and rehearse a psalm. Arise, O my glory, arise psaltery and harp: I will arise earl…

Major Jack Hamilton M.D.

We invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Jack Hamilton. Jack lived a remarkable life surrounding himself with family, friends, love for…

Lynn R. Kieffer, 1947-2024

Lynn R. Kieffer, age 77, of Princeton, WI, passed from our hands to God’s Hands early in the morning of August 28, 2024, at her home after a two a…