Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO An Iowa man, fishing near the Boca Grande Causeway, was bitten by a blacktip shark as he was releasing it. TEN YEARS AGO The last week of summer camp was wrapping up for Boca Grande kids. Activities included ice skating, roller skating, rock climbing and putt-putt golfing. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Boca Grande […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Above, a Boca Beacon file photo from Hurricane Charley, 21 years ago. This week, we have a reminder from Chief C.W. Blosser about the hurricane season ahead, encouraging people to plan for what may or may not come. Back in the olden days, you just had to bring your lawn furniture in and get some […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners will meet Tuesday, August 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Lee County Courthouse. As of press time, there are no matters relating to Boca Grande or Gasparilla Island on the agenda, though some are added the night before as last minute commissioner’s items.
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
At a joint meeting of Charlotte County’s state delegation, Sen. Ben Albritton, Rep. Danny Nix and Rep. Vanessa Oliver heard from constituents about the budget year ahead, and in a long listening period that followed, took comments on the parking issue in Boca Grande. Senate President Albritton said that he was “just learning about this” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Heather Ruth Santos, beloved wife, daughter, sister, stepmother, godmother, mimi, and friend, died on August 7, 2025 in Florida. She was 49 years old. She was fond of her time worked at Harry’s Bar and Grille, Magnolias on the Bay and South Beach Bar & Grille. Celebrations of life will be held in both Florida […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Stephen George Meylan, age 73, of Englewood, FL, died Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Tidewell Hospice House, Port Charlotte. He was born in Manchester, England, to George and Jessie Meylan on June 8, 1952. He was a realtor at Gulf to Bay Sotheby’s International Realty for almost 10 years. A memorial service was held for […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
FROM BARRIER ISLANDPARKS SOCIETY Editor’s Note: This is the first of six weekly wildlife articles submitted by the Barrier Island Parks Society to raise awareness. If you’ve been on a barrier island in Southwest Florida or along the coast, you might have heard a high-pitched whistling call from an osprey (Pandion haliaetus). The osprey, also […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Education, Profiles.
The art of teaching On Monday The Island School opened its doors for a new school year – and for Valerie Cotton, it marked her first day as the on-island art teacher. After volunteering once a week last year, she’s now back on campus as an employee. “Last year, I was here once a week,” […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“At the end of the day,the government and local government all bow to public pressure [regulatory] enforcement is weak, and environmental litigationis near to impossible,so there is an urgent needfor extensive public participationto generate another kindof motivation.” Ma Jun, National Geographic Explorer, an environmentalist, journalist, shares the view that the responsibilities to save the oceans […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
The Tallahassee delegation representing Charlotte County, including Sen. Ben Albritton, Rep. Danny Nix and Rep. Vanessa Oliver, held a meeting Monday, Aug. 11 to discuss issues related to the state. The meeting at Charlotte County’s Murdoch campus began with a welcome from Commissioner Joseph Tiseo of Charlotte County, as well as Kim Amontree, of the […]