Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALLBGSTA SECRETARY A stroll down the beaches from around 19th Street south to the parking lot by the state park will reveal some brightly colored stakes being used to protect incubating sea turtle nests. They range from multicolored polka dots, stripes, and flower designs to royal blue and white stakes with turtle plaques […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
The issue of parking in Boca Grande came up, yet again. Like so many issues that involve the island, it came up after most of the seasonal regulars had left, and cannot be heard. A quick recap. This spring, a number of island residents, some on Gilchrist and others not, began pressuring officials in Fort […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
The issue of parking on Gasparilla Island is not a new one. Through the years, the Boca Beacon has covered the issue as locals and county officials have tried to balance competing interests. Below, a few assorted dates from 1982 on. The list below is not comprehensive; many of the recent stories are at bocabeacon.com/parking: […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Columns, Editorial, Opinion.
By JIM COCHRUN,GUEST EDITORIAL I grew up in Naples in the early ’50s. In those years, Naples was a small, tranquil and pristine Old Florida community of 1,500 residents. The bulk of the population was comprised of native Floridian families who held high respect and appreciation for nature and the environment. They were good stewards […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, Police & Fire.
NOTE: This story contains new information that cannot be found in the hard copy or e-edition story. Just after press time we received information requested earlier in the week that is pertinent to the facts of the story and is included here.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
While Tuesday morning’s meeting of the Lee County Board of Commissioners was relatively quick and painless, with no big agenda items pertaining to Gasparilla Island, there was one public comment that is of great importance to the island and its future.
The comment was made by Mary O’Bannon, chairman of the Boca Grande Parking Committee. She attended the meeting with Vice-Chair Deb Martin and asked the Commissioners at the meeting for one thing – transparency – in an upcoming item that was to be presented to the Board at their November meeting by Commissioner Kevin Ruane, and to not leave the fate of anything in Boca Grande in the hands of one person.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
Since March, 41 sea turtle lighting complaints have been logged with Lee County Code Enforcement. Of those 41, all but two (which were closed and voided) were sent notices and no violations were issued. Addresses include many on Shore Lane, Gulf Boulevard, Gilchrist Avenue, Palm Avenue and a few beach access streets. The majority of […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Lee County has launched the Ian Progress Report, a data-driven site dedicated to updating the community on the fiscal needs, progress and opportunities with state and federal partners as Lee County moves forward after the hurricane.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners recently learned that the United States (US) Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has allocated $1.1 billion in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery funding directly to Lee County to assist with the county’s long-term recovery following Hurricane Ian. These disaster recovery funds can be used for a variety of activities including housing redevelopment, infrastructure repair, economic revitalization and long-term planning.
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Lots of people in Boca Grande love to walk the beach in the morning. Most of them do not make the trek if the weather is nasty, or if the sun gets too hot. There are some folks, however, who do not do their beach walking for exercise or meditation. They do it to protect […]