Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Entertainment, News, Police & Fire.
Lee County is one of the many jurisdictions from across the U.S. on the weekend television program “On Patrol Live”, on the Reelz cable channel on Fridays and Saturdays at 9 p.m. EST. The Dan Abrams-hosted police show is a live version of the old “Cops”, or “Dragnet”, and shows police officers out on patrol […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
A proposed apartment building set to be located behind Cape Haze Plaza, appears to be stalled as a development. In 2022 before Hurricane Ian, a 108-unit multi-family housing project was in the planning stages. The nine-acre property had been proposed to the county as “Cape Haze Multi-family Property” and originally submitted May 26, 2022. It […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
After several weeks of meetings and planning, Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, on behalf of the county, met with several island tennis advocates, agreeing to keep the two tennis courts on Wheeler Road. Commissioners will move forward with a plan to resurface and upgrade lighting on the two tennis courts while beginning the process of […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Last week was a good one for big speckled trout in the backcountry. We also saw some nice redfish scattered around as well. On these warmer days, we saw some big snook that began cruising the shallow grass flats moving into the islands. They haven’t been biting very well, but It […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR Spring fishing is so great, I love it. Big snook, reds, trout, and suicidal pompano on the shallow grass on windy days all makes for a great day! We don’t normally see large pompano in shallow water and catching them on fly and artificial (topwater) lures is also kinda goofey but […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Thank you for the great editorial in the paper this week. (See Lake Okeechobee’s overflowing, Feb. 16, 2023). We’re at the apex of a life-threatening water disaster here in Florida and our community seems to think that someone else will fix it. Everyone needs to be pro-active when it comes to clean […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.
BY GINGER WATKINS Editor’s Note: At her last meeting as chairman last month, outgoing GIBA Chairman Ginger Watkins assembled facts and history about the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. We have presented here a brief excerpt for Beacon readers who wish to know more about the “early years” from 1996 on. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
BY ERICA RESS MARTIN March 13 is the night I look forward to and dread. It’s the night RPP’s “The 25th annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” opens. This hectic, exhilarating, difficult show is causing sleepless nights. Can I learn a whole show where I’m never off stage? Can any of us? My emotions are mixed. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, Featured News, News.
The Annual Boca Grande Strawberry Festival, held on the grounds of the Boca Grande Community Center, is a long-standing island tradition known for fresh Strawberry Shortcake, a fabulous Silent Auction, the Bargain Boutique and for the past 3 years, the Strawberry Art Festival. The Strawberry Festival is organized by the United Methodist Women who have […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, News.
The Boca Grande Easter Egg Hunt will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 30, 2024. This free event is sponsored by Lee County Parks & Recreation and The Friends of Boca Grande Community Center. Activities include an egg hunt for ages 11 and under, goodie boxes for all children and a photo opportunity with […]