Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Sandra “Sandy” Kinder Bertsch, 82, passed away on May 31, 2024, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born on November 15, 1941, in Harrisburg, PA to Harold and Charlotte (Halcro) Kinder, she was a resident of Boca Grande, Florida. Sandy attended Brown University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Police & Fire, Profiles.
Sarah Cislo grew up with sisters, but she seems to have a good handle on working in what is usually a “man’s world.” Sarah is one of two new firefighters at the Boca Grande Fire Department. She is the first woman to work as a regular member of the firefighter/EMT crew … and she’s loving […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The Boca Beacon has a guide to parking spaces across the island HERE, with state, local and town parking spots, and a map of public beach access points as of 2025. Currently, Lee County is proposing to effectively shut down beach parking on the island, to just over 200 places. There would be two-hour free […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
The Boca Grande Woman’s Club Scholarship Committee representatives Sue Ewing and JoAnn Welch (shown at right) with scholarship recipients Jason Hutchison, Boca Grande Fire Department, and Cara Onofrio, Boca Grande Health Clinic. The Boca Grande Woman’s Club also presented scholarships to Lemon Bay High School students. Shown at top from left: Emerson Adams, McKenzie Brown, […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN A tropical low weather system moved over us this week bringing some much needed rain in abundance, but it has also put a damper on our tarpon fishing for a few days. When we get these low pressure systems of cloudy days along with heavy thunderstorms and lightning, tarpon take flight […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“The quality of a fathercan be seen in the goals, dreams, and aspirations he sets not only for himselfbut for his family.” Reed Markham, professor, and author of Communication at Dayton State College As Father’s Day nears, many children will attempt to make it a perfect day for their dad. Memories will be made of […]
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 Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
By ANDREW COLBURN, RTCBOCA GRANDE HEALTH CLINIC The summer is the perfect time to focus on your game’s fundamentals and ensure you’re in top shape for the next season. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or an enthusiastic amateur, understanding how to manage and prevent injuries is key to maintaining your performance on the course. Chronic […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Department held a hurricane training session for island organization leaders on Thursday, June 13. Leaders from the Health Clinic, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, The Island School, the Barrier Island Parks Society and Island TV, among others, gathered to go over preparations, operations, logistics and communication in the case of a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Calls and notifications to Lee County Code Enforcement from the last month were dominated by unpermitted beach stairs and sea turtle lighting violations. From May 14 to June 13, there were 21 “dune walkover” certified notices sent about new stairs without a permit. There were a total of 47 issues related to turtle lighting violations, […]