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Charlotte Sheriffs show capabilities

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Department showed its capabilities with a view of its technology center on Sept. 6. At their offices near the Punta Gorda Airport, the staff reviewed how its officers use items like body cams and license plate tracking, and discussed public records efforts.          Photo by Garland

Boca Grande Fire Control District sets 2025 budget, tax levy 

The Boca Grande Fire Control District held a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 19 to approve the budget and tax increase. The budget is for Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, and expenditures are 16.7 percent more than last year’s total operating expenditures. The proposed tax levy of $7,447,452, and the budget were approved […]

Lee County wrote its own zoning waiver for Community Center parking parking

Movie theater comparison used in explanation Editor’s note: In the process of reviewing documents ahead of the season, and changed parking rules, the Beacon discovered some differences in procedure for the Boca Grande Health Clinic and Community Center construction projects. The following is a brief explanation. This spring saw the possibility of drastic parking changes […]

Lee County launches tool for park projects

Lee County has launched a new tool to help residents stay informed about projects happening at county parks, preserves and beaches. This tool, which can be found at leeparks.org, is an expansion of the Hurricane Ian Progress Map. It was initially intended to help the community track the status of locations following Hurricane Ian’s devastation, […]

Work on second bridge Monday

On Monday, September 23, 2024, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will be performing shoulder work on the Center Bridge. The work will begin at 9 a.m. and is expected to be completed by the end of the workday. Traffic will be restricted to one lane and travelers should slow down and expect delays.  The Authority […]

Pier now open again

The Boca Grande Fishing pier at the north end of the island reopened. There are still permanent repairs ahead. The stuck sailboat, deposited at the end of the pier, is now easier to see.

On the Ballot: Looking at the first two proposed State Constitutional Amendments

In Florida, November’s general election will include six state constitutional amendments — changes to the laws included in the State Constitution. Four of these amendments were approved to be on the ballot through a process involving approval by the State Legislature. The other two amendments qualified through a process initiated by individuals or groups other […]

Downzoning of Gasparilla Road property removes 358 Cape Haze lots

Apiary Partners, owners of three properties on Gasparilla Road abutting the Boca Grande Jet Center at the Coral Creek Airport, and just north of the Coral Creek Club, have applied to Charlotte County to downzone three connected residential parcels. The action would sever 358 of the density units currently allocated to the property. Currently, the […]

Business and Real Estate: Signs point to restoration of historic Sharp compound Hacienda

The red-tile roofed estate just north of Fifth Street known as the Hacienda, has new signs for its restoration, courtesy of its contractor, Sarasota-based Ball Construction, Inc.  Ron Marcotte of Ball was meeting with the owners last week. The Beacon reached out to Ball, but they were unable to comment. The firm has a longtime […]

Lee Commissioners discuss Boca Grande parking plan status 

At the regular Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass raised a Commissioner’s Item about the status of parking decisions in Boca Grande.   Board Vice Chairman Kevin Ruane was voted to lead a structured parking initiative back in 2022, and again in June of this year. “I know, […]