Featured News

Fire at temporary cell tower poses the question – when do we get a new permanent tower?

On Monday, Jan. 23 at 5 p.m. the Boca Grande Fire Department responded to a fire at the generator next to the cell phone tower near 5th Street and Park Avenue. While the source of the fire is u…

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Community

Don’t forget about the chowder next Friday!

January 20, 2023

A more complete list of chefs and restaurants contributing to The Island School’s annual chowder dinner has been released, as well as information about entertainment and an auction. As of press…

Island traditions upheld: Community Tree Lighting, Christmas Walk dates announced

November 18, 2022

While many are still recovering from Hurricane Ian, no mere hurricane can stop the spirit of Boca Grande during the holidays. We may have confused some people with a graphic in last week’s pap…

Island girl gives back with proceeds from shirts featuring storm photo

November 10, 2022

Some people are unforgettable for many different reasons. Some have a radiant smile that just makes you feel better about the day. Others have a gentle, laidback attitude and a listening ear. Stil…

Education

Don’t forget about the chowder next Friday!

January 20, 2023

A more complete list of chefs and restaurants contributing to The Island School’s annual chowder dinner has been released, as well as information about entertainment and an auction. As of press…

TIS announces list of chefs for chowder dinner … at least, so far

January 12, 2023

We’re getting closer to the date of The Island School’s Chowder Dinner, one of Boca Grande’s most sumptuous events. Take-out or dine-in eating options are available. The event will be held on F…

Time is winding down to turn in educational scholarship applications to Woman’s Club

January 12, 2023

The Scholarship Committee of the Boca Grande Woman’s Club is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 school year. General criteria for application include: – Candidate has applied to a …

Entertainment

Boca Grande Film Festival 2023 lineup announced and it is not to be missed

January 26, 2023

Launch party to be held tonight in conjunction with The Island School Chowder Dinner Penelope Cruz and Antonio Banderas. Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner. This year’s lineup for the Boca Grande Film …

Milne rocked the Fust with blues, boogie woogie and more

January 20, 2023

On the afternoon of Tuesday, Jan. 17 the loggia at the Johann Fust Library sounded more like a juke joint than a higher place of learning – and sometimes that is quite all right … especially when …

LOOK TO THE STARS! IT’S THE WEEKLY BEACON HOROSCOPES

January 14, 2023

Featured News, News, Profiles

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Penny Sims

Shore birds are a favorite subject for Boca Grande artist Penny Sims. She loves the birds, but just about anything in and on the water is likely to end up as a subject on her canvas – or wooden plank, or whatever she decides to use as the base for expressing her love for the […]

Sports & Outdoors

Health & Wellness

New year, new beginnings

January 26, 2023

By Mark Driscoll, Boca Grande Health Clinic CEO Just like that, 2022 is a wrap and 2023 is already moving right along. As the song goes, “Another year over – a new one just begun.” On behal…

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Bivalent booster clinic set for February 2 at BGHC

January 26, 2023

To the Editor: The Boca Grande Health Clinic will be conducting a drive-thru COVID-19 “updated booster” or Bivalent booster clinic on Thursday, Feb. 2, from 9 to 10 a.m. for our registered pati…

A visual aid for what ails you, courtesy of the BGHC

December 22, 2022

It used to be that we wondered if we caught a flu bug or just had a case of the common cold. Then we weren’t sure if our allergies were giving us a hard time or if red tide was to blame. And of co…

Just in time for Christmas, 2022: The ‘Tripledemic’ is here … merry merry!

December 15, 2022

Get ready, because Santa is coming to Boca Grande – and he is bringing along COVID-19 and his cousins flu and RSV for Christmas dinner! As you all have probably read, RSV (Respiratory Syncytial V…

Police & Fire

ISLAND SHERIFF, FIRE, EMS ACTIVITY: Golf cart completely destroyed in battery fire – so what kind of battery was it?

January 26, 2023

On Saturday, Jan. 21 at approximately 7:46 p.m. the Boca Grande Fire Department responded to the 500 block of Gulf Boulevard for a golf cart on fire, fully engulfed. It took some time, but fire…

Cutoff for disaster relief donations January 31 but more donations will be made in weeks to come

January 20, 2023

The Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund, administered by the Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, has announced that the last day to donate to the fund will be January 31. While the …

Woman found on beach with gunshot wound

January 6, 2023

On the morning of Wednesday, Jan. 4 at approximately 8:25 a.m. the Boca Grande Fire Department got a call that no one wants to get – a gunshot wound victim on the beach at Range Light Beach on Gul…

Island chef arrested for DUI, driving while suspended and more

December 15, 2022

The actions of one local man erratically driving drunk last Friday, Dec. 9, could have had a much worse outcome than it did. According to witnesses, that day at approximately 7:30 a.m. Timmie …

News Archives

Obituaries

OBITUARY: LIZORA YOUNCE

Lizora Miller Yonce, 85, of Boca Grande, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on January 14, 2023. Lizora was born in Danville, …

OBITUARY: Charlie Campbell

Charles Edward Campbell, Charlie to family and Chuck to friends, died on January 15, 2023 at The Hospice of the Western Reserve in Cleveland, Ohio…

OBITUARY: Catherine Munsell

Catherine Anne Halpin Munsell, 81, of Cedar Rapids, IA, and Boca Grande, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2022, in Englewood. Cathy “with a ‘…

OBITUARY: Thomas Benton Hunter III

Lake Forest’s Thomas Benton Hunter III leaves behind a lasting legacy of good character and the importance of community spirit. It’s often said…

OBITUARY: Col. James Clark Dieffenderfer

Col. James Clark Dieffenderfer (“Jimmie Dee”), a long-time visitor to Boca Grande and the father of local resident Ann Fletcher, took his final fl…