Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Uncategorized.
Recovery efforts are underway in response to Hurricane Helene in Charlotte County. Clearing and removing storm debris is a major part of the recovery effort. Charlotte County Public Works asks for residents’ cooperation to properly separate storm debris by category and adhere to the collection guidelines. It is the property owners’ responsibility to bring the […]
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 Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
This Sunday, Pastor Gary Beatty will preach his last message at First Baptist Church in Boca Grande. Beatty announced his retirement last Sunday. “God’s been good to me,” said Beatty. “The island’s been good to me. People have been good to me.” He came to the church in 2000. His wife Betty knew from the […]
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.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
In preparation for the expected arrival of Hurricane Helene, the Boca Grande Fire Department and Chief C.W. Blosser asks residents to monitor, plan and prepare. In an effort to answer the most asked questions this morning, they advise: Follow the Beacon on Twitter and Facebook.
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Only 17 nests remain as of September 14! Of those, 14 are loggerhead and three are green turtle nests. Since September 8, we have seen eight nests either hatch or reach the 70-day incubation mark and be closed. Some of these nests were inventoried per the sampling strategy determined by […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
This essay is part of a mini-series of stories from Barrier Islands Parks BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY May through October is the official sea turtle nesting season in Southwest Florida. During these months, adult female sea turtles make an amazing journey home to nest and lay eggs on the very beach where they […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured News, News.
The September/October edition of Gasparilla Island Magazine is out with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a look at the presence of Mercury motors in Florida, the legacy of the Historic Spanish Point, highlights of Old Florida at the Manasota Beach Club, some answers on tarpon habitats (excerpt below), and […]