Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The island continues to have an issue with the dumping of hurricane debris, even as crews from the disaster recovery firm Crowder Gulf, contracted by Lee County, continue to pick up refuse on island by the ton, daily. This week, debris piles continued to grow, especially along Gasparilla Road, Gilchrist Avenue and Gulf Boulevard. Some […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Education, Letters to the Editor.
BY CHRISTINE OLIVER Our beautiful Gasparilla Island, including Boca Grande and The Island School, has faced immense challenges in the wake of these back-to-back storms. While the facility and staff continue to navigate these challenges, we would like to provide an update on The Island School’s recovery and the steps being taken to return to […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Lee County Solid Waste asks Boca Grande residents to set all Hurricane Milton sand debris curbside by Friday, Nov.29. Collections will begin on Saturday, Nov. 30 and may take several days to complete. If you live in an area where sand is still being collected, be sure to place sand correctly to ensure crews can […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Even with all our technology and the inventions that make modern life bso much easier than it once was, it takes just one big natural disaster to wipe all that away and remind us that, here on earth, we’re still at the mercy of nature.” Neil deGrasse Tyson, American Astrophysicist, writer, and science commentator. Just […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community History.
BY MARILYN HOECKEL A story from 1989 detailed some of the biggest storms to hit Boca Grande Editor’s note: This was from an Aug. 4, 1989 edition of the Boca Beacon. There are five big storms that seem to stand out in the memories of Gasparilla Island residents. The years of those storms are 1910, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky is encouraging policyholders to reach out directly to the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR), if consumers impacted by recent storms receive a notice of nonrenewal or notice of cancellation that may have taken effect or will take effect between Sept. 26 until Dec. 10. Emergency orders are in place that […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
There is no date yet for the reopening of the Boca Grande Post Office. Currently, staff from the Boca Grande Post Office are operating at their Placida branch, sorting mail separately for users, and handing it over when they arrive. The issue will be even more complicated after Thanksgiving, when Christmas package season begins. While […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Grande Chorus is planning to proceed with its Christmas concert with regular members and would like to invite others to join. Because of the closure of the Community Center, practices will take place at St. Andrew’s. Practice sessions will begin Friday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s, and will continue […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Now in 2nd week of check distribution, 260 donors The island Disaster Fund, set up to help local businesses and institutions recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, is now close to its $3 million goal, and is in its second week of checks being distributed to businesses and organizations. “We are past the mucking out […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY DANA RYAN Like all of you, I watched with a heavy heart as Hurricanes Helene and Milton tore through our country, leaving devastation in their wake. My family lives on a small barrier island in Florida, and while Helene caused damage, Milton rocked its foundation, destroying the water, sewage and power systems. It washed […]