Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Beacon is still getting questions about a new draft ordinance that would remove public beach parking access from Boca Grande, except for the Gasparilla Island State Parks. The ordinance draft was moved forward on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The vote is expected to be held in August. Highlights: Other notes: The full ordinance is […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Officers issued over 1,021 citations citations The upcoming Boca Grande parking draft ordinance that will come before the Lee County Commission in August contains numerous references to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It includes an array of parking permits, with four tiers, as well as rules for parking around the areas of Gilchrist Avenue, and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
The Island School has selected Mrs. Anne Smith to serve as the new Reading Intervention/MTSS Coordinator and 5th Grade Science teacher. She will officially start her new position on August 4, 2025. Mrs. Smith is originally from Grand Blanc, Michigan. After graduating from Western Michigan University in 2004 she moved to Florida, where she began […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The canoe/kayak launch and parking area at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier located at 5810 Gasparilla Road on Gasparilla Island has officially reopened. Portable toilets are available on site for public use. Charlotte County advised patrons to use caution as fenced off areas, that include the pier and pier approach walkway, remain closed until permanent […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
In Florida, possession of live queen conch at any time is prohibited, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. All harvest of the Bahama starfish is also illegal. In Lee County, you may not harvest or possess any shells that contain a live organism except for oysters, hard clams (quahogs), sunray venus clams and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Friends of Boca Grande announced the appointment of Martina Long as their new program director this Monday. Long has a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector and an extensive background in both event management and the performing arts. Prior to joining Friends of Boca Grande, she served as operations manager for United Arts Collier, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
While a new parking plan is under consideration by Lee County, what is not defined in the ordinance is how much these permits will cost for island residents, homeowners and workers. A new parking draft ordinance presented June 17 for Gasparilla Island would have a tiered plan for residents, hotel guests, house guests and island […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
A $1.5 million appropriations request for a Boca Grande Fire Control District ladder truck replacement was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, June 30. “We are disappointed,” said Chief C.W. Blosser, reached Tuesday. “We had to get that signature, and we didn’t get it.” Last week, the item overwhelmingly passed in both the House […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, the causeway from the days following Hurricane Milton. GIBA Photo The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will begin its causeway armoring project in July, and is expected to be completed by mid-November. “This summer will be a busy one for GIBA,” wrote Executive Director Kathy Banson in a statement to the Beacon. “While we recover […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Profiles.
A Boca Grande family celebrates This week, the large extended Forristall family gathered at their cottage on Gasparilla Road. They are one of the many regulars in the Fourth of July parade. They first started coming to the island in 1989. They would stay at the Anchor Inn, or wherever they could find a rental. […]