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Water Authority kept system intact during island floods

As Gasparilla Island dried out from Hurricane Helene, staff from the Gasparilla Island Water Authority continued to pump through much of the standing water that had leached into the sewer system due to the storm. “We anticipate normal operations for all utility services to be restored this week,” said Ron Bolton, executive director. It was […]

Helene left her mark on Boca

Almost exactly two years from hurricane Ian, another hurricane touches Gasparilla Island and the community of Boca Grande. Here’s what’s left of the pink wall at the end property of Belcher Road overlooking the Gulf.                                          […]

What’s Open, What’s Closed: Helene Update

Retail Establishments & Marinas: Aqua Boutique is closed until further notice. 421 Park Ave. Ariel, LTD is closed until further notice. 444 4th St., (941) 964-0480. Barbara Anne’s Jewelry & Repair is open Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., 410 Park Ave., (941) 964-1776. The Barnichol is open Monday to Friday 8 a.m. […]

Post office ‘temp’ break in Placida

The Boca Grande Post Office is temporarily closed until officials can assess any damage from Hurricane Helene. All the mail and packages that would go to the Boca Grande Post Office will now go to the Placida Post Office, where they will be sorted and kept in trays. Whatever forwarding instructions that were in place […]

After a storm, hope for the quiet waters of October

Editor’s Note: Van Hubbard was up in North Carolina, on vacation, when the flood waters came up to his cabin. He came through the storm, only to find his house flooded here. The bill came due for waterfront views. Just some thoughts on the sustainability of living on our beaches and open-water views. Our Florida […]

A stiff upper lip, for an Act of God

Everyone thought the storm would pass us by.  Before Helene, there was sandbagging and some boarding up. There was unease, but confidence. The island just finished cleaning up after Ian, and everyone was prepared. Be prepared. Here at the Beacon, we planned to get our issue out early Thursday, in case the power went out. […]

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 fought the good fight for 84 years. He was born in Bartow, Florida on January 23, 1940, and passed away on Sunday morning in his beloved mountain cabin in […]

Lee County staff assisting recovery

Lee County provided two staff members on island to help coordinate with issues related to Hurricane Helene. They are part of one of many departments dedicated to post-Hurricane Helene cleanup in the county. After Ian, the county created Island Coordination Teams. Today, Lee County wants to ensure that everyone has the contacts for their post-Helene […]

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, […]