Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
The Surfrider Foundation, which advocates for the public use and safety of beaches across the world, has spoken out about the potential closure of public Gasparilla Island beach parking by Lee County. “We urge the Lee County Commissioners to prioritize public parking solutions rather than restrictions in order to facilitate meaningful public access to beaches,” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
A Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce survey on visitors to Gasparilla Island is still gathering submissions. It now has over 2,200 responses and almost 900 written comments and ideas. “We wanted to show that day trippers, as everyone is calling them, do patronize the local shops,” said Gary Cross, executive director of the Boca Grande […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
A new web petition effort supports keeping Boca Grande parking open to the public. At a recent county meeting, supporters of a change to parking regulations presented their own petition of over 1,000 names to county commissioners on June 17. The link to that petition effort is below. The new public petition reads, “Boca Grande’s […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
As the weather heats up, stop in to the cool shops and spend some time checking out the seasonal merchandise available. Shown above: Drea at Boca Grande Outfitters shows off some great t-shirt options they offer. Kenzie was repping some attire from The Tide and showing off the great sale items in their lobby. Stop […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Real Estate.
Above, an archival photo of the old Collier Inn, with its famous steps. Boca Beacon archives A group of homeowners of Useppa Island, including some Boca Grande residents, have reportedly agreed to the purchase of the club from its owner, the Beckstead family. The property has been up for sale. Last year, a previous effort […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Since my last article, we have started seeing hatches of our first loggerhead nests! Our first nests were documented on May 1, and with an approximate two-month incubation period, the hatchlings from these first nests are emerging right on schedule. We should now be seeing hatches on a regular basis […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
The Island School has selected Mrs. Anne Smith to serve as the new Reading Intervention/MTSS Coordinator and 5th Grade Science teacher. She will officially start her new position on August 4, 2025. Mrs. Smith is originally from Grand Blanc, Michigan. After graduating from Western Michigan University in 2004 she moved to Florida, where she began […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The canoe/kayak launch and parking area at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier located at 5810 Gasparilla Road on Gasparilla Island has officially reopened. Portable toilets are available on site for public use. Charlotte County advised patrons to use caution as fenced off areas, that include the pier and pier approach walkway, remain closed until permanent […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
In Florida, possession of live queen conch at any time is prohibited, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. All harvest of the Bahama starfish is also illegal. In Lee County, you may not harvest or possess any shells that contain a live organism except for oysters, hard clams (quahogs), sunray venus clams and […]
Written by Alici Ouellette on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured News, News.
Featuring Wanamakers, gumbo limbo and Sugarshack The July/August edition of the Boca Beacon’s Gasparilla Island Magazine is out now with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a history of the Wanamaker family on Gasparila Island; a story of the Florida gumbo limbo tree with photos; a look at beautiful estate […]