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December storm was no match for white pelican visitors

By MICHELLE STARR On a morning drive over the Boca Causeway, I get a true bird’s eye view of Little Gasparilla Pass, the sandbar and local water clarity and condition. The high winds over the last several days have made the water very messy, so while coming over the Causeway Sunday morning, I spotted a […]

Residents, marine units help in Little Gasparilla fire 

A beach cottage at 9686 Privateer Road near the south end of Little Gasparilla Island is a complete loss after a Sunday, Dec. 17 house fire. The smoke from the fire could be seen from across the Cape Haze peninsula Saturday afternoon, as a weekend windstorm wound down. In spite of the winds, and thanks […]

Soderberg gift will inspire other Suncoast Humane donors

For over 50 years, Suncoast Humane Society has helped tens of thousands of animals live happier, safer and healthier lives.  On November 9, 2023, among community leaders, Suncoast supporters Peter and Elsa Soderberg made a milestone contribution to the SHS capital campaign and announced the naming of the new SHS campus for the Soderbergs.  “This […]

Charlotte County shuts down gambling operations

On December 20, 2023, members of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a legal search warrant of two casino-style businesses that were operating in Charlotte County. Deputies removed slot machines from two businesses, including a bingo parlor in Englewood. Below, a video press release from Sheriff Bill Prummell.

Cool temps wake up wildlife

BY CAPT. JOE LACLAIR With a couple very cold evenings the water temps have really started to fall. What seems to be different this winter is the amount of rainfall we are still experiencing. This has made the fishing very difficult in the past week. The abundance of wildlife however, that we have seen on […]

EcoWatch: Let’s get it done for the environment

Recently a reader wrote to Eco-Watch and asked what she could do to help the environment. She was concerned about the ecosys- tem and its decline in protective measures to save our planet. It was a timely and welcomed question, as many have noticed that problems in the environment have not gotten better but only […]

Hermitage offers beachfront preview of new work

The Hermitage Artist Retreat will preview a new arts program on Friday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. on the Hermitage Beach on Manasota Key.  This new program will offer a glimpse into the creative process of three Hermitage Fellows in the midst of creating new work. Multidisciplinary visual artist Anne Patterson and composer Patrick Harlin […]

Ham it Up: Terry Seitz visits Peru

Terry Seitz travels the world for his furniture business and takes the Boca Beacon. But this time I’m vacationing on the trail to Machu Picchu, Peru. It was declared a Peruvian Historic Sanctuary in 1982, UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and was voted one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Forensic skills aid Mote Marine research projects

The new season of Mote Marine Laboratory’s “Coffee With A Scientist” got off to a great start with scientist Dana Wetzel on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at the Boca Grande Community Center. Wetzel shared stories from her work as a senior scientist and program manager of Mote’s Marine Environmental Laboratory for Forensics. Some 40 people from […]

Butterfly legacy for Penny Doerge includes pajamas 

It was just over a year ago that 16-year-old Penelope Griggs Doerge, called “Penny” by her family and friends, died at home in Glen Cove, N.Y. of a common but exceedingly difficult genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis. The disorder causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. There is no cure. In the year […]