Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
It was just like a kids’ sandbox today on Gasparilla Island. Crews from Lee County came to the island today to begin the removal of sand from across Gasparilla Island, including on Gilchrist Avenue, and on Gasparilla Road. Saturday, the crews were on Gilchrist and other locations, down to a sandpile on Wheeler Road. There […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Boca Grande Post Office is temporarily closed until officials can assess and clean up any damage from Hurricane Helene. “We will go out there tomorrow (Monday) to see if there is any damage,” said Kellie Harris, acting postmaster of Placida. The Beacon reached her by phone today. She said that all the mail and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
Currently all 20 lift stations are working on the island, and every lift station has power. However, the system is filled with seepage of sea water and rain, and Gasparilla Island Water Authority will be working all of today and tomorrow to clear out the system. The treatment plant continued to work and was not […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY EMERSON WICKWIRE I applaud the Beacon, serving both as a community platform for ideas to identify and resolve community issues, as well as a central source of information on issue background and facts. I have followed the surge of Beacon letters commenting not just on our ever-present parking issues, but also on the pending […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
And then there were ten. Yes, the BGSTA turtle patrollers are down to the last ten incubating nests on the island. Eight loggerhead and two green turtle nests. The last observed hatch was weeks ago on September 8th, but there is still hope that at least a couple of the remaining nests, especially those that […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY KAREN GRACE The late Capt. Fred Futch once said that although many people say the biggest change to the island came from the building of the bridge, he thought it was the formation of the water company that was the greatest impetus for the development that followed. Before 1968 and the Gasparilla Island Water […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
Some recent re-openings around neighboring islands. Two years after Hurricane Ian, businesses across Boca Grande Pass are still coming back online: Captiva: Captiva Island Inn has reopened on Andy Rosse Lane in the heart of Captiva Village. Pine Island: One of the oldest restaurants here, the Waterfront Restaurant and Marina has reopened in St. James […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Charlotte County Station 10 evaculated Don Pedro in the advance of Hurricane Helene. Below, the engine on the Palm Island Transit ferry. Photo by Kelly Cotherman Lube
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Two of the most discussed amendments to the Florida Constitution this November include a ballot initiative on marijuana, Amendment 3, and a ballot initiative on abortion, Amendment 4. This is the second article in a three-part backgrounder on the state constitutional amendments on the ballot in November’s general election. Both potential amendments were initiated outside […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Island’s Water Authority will continue normal operations through Hurricane Helene as it passes by Gasparilla Island. There will be no interruptions in service. According to Ronald Bolton, Executive Director: Visit GIWA.org for more information.