Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE With a considerable population increase in Florida in the last five years, more and more Florida beach towns are being forced to consider what their options are as far as parking for their “destination” locations, specifically beaches and the more tourist-driven areas. It’s difficult to compare the situation in Boca Grande – […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Currently, the Boca Beacon is waiting on a public records request from Lee County to get a better understanding of what is happening with a proposed parking ordinance. This week, we were made aware that a Boca Grande resident, opposed to the possible restrictions, had also asked for and received over 600 pages of emails […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists prepare for the 2025 “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament and the Annual Boca Grande Tarpon Festival May 13 to 16 in downtown Boca Grande. The Tarpon Festival marks the beginning of tarpon season and celebrates the return of the fish to Boca Grande Pass. The island is preparing for […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Irrigation overuse last weekend resulted in a low pressure for water across the island. “We had about 30 percent chance of running out of water,” said Ron Bolton, executive director of Gasparilla Island Water Association. Bolton made individual calls to larger water clients who use irrigation. Because of this, water pressure had to be turned […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Capt. Phil O’Bannon appeared this week on the Mill House podcast. The sporting show podcast is led by Andy Mill, an athlete, broadcaster and author. Mill, an Olympic skier, is the author of “A Passion for Tarpon.” “Phil O’Bannon is a sixth-generation Boca Grande fisherman whose life has been defined by the water,” the description […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.
The executive committee of the Boca Grande Health Clinic Foundation has announced the appointment of Debbie Frank as the executive director of the foundation, effective May 5, 2025. Debbie brings a decade of experience in the Boca Grande community, most recently serving as chief operating officer at the Friends of Boca Grande. “The foundation is […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Fundraising continues for a new house for a sheriff’s deputy house on Gasparilla Island. This week, over $55,000 came in, with a total of approximately $190,000 raised so far. Last week, $76,000 was raised. “We are making good progress,” said Larry Hannah, one of the members of the Boca Grande Disaster Fund who is working […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Real Estate.
Keylime Bistro reopened at the train station Saturday. The restaurant was essentially rebuilt, with new kitchen and a removal of the bar, so that the inside seating is larger. All the familiar train elements are still there. The restaurant is owned by Sandy Stilwell-Youngquist, owner of the Historic Captiva Island Inn as part of Stilwell […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY THE GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association Town Park, located between 3rd and 5th Streets, is buzzing with activity. Restoration began on Monday, April 21. During the first week, the crews focused on site preparation. “On Monday, April 28, our trees began to arrive. It is so exciting to watch these […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, Health & Wellness, News.
The Gasparilla Island Water Association now has its advanced water treatment up and running. “We turned on yesterday,” said GIWA Executive Director Ron Bolton. “We sent the ‘mixed liquor’ over.” The utility started the switch at 10 a.m. Wednesday, when the pipes were switched over. By 6 p.m., the utility was sending high quality reclaimed […]