Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Two items on the Lee County Board of County Commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024 would allow The Gasparilla Inn and properties to be found a “public and community benefit” to presumptively be able to rebuild after a storm. Gasparilla Inn President and General Manager Brent Cross said that the Inn has been trying to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Community History, News.
Though it’s only just the beginning of August, here at the Beacon office we are looking toward our November/December edition of the Gasparilla Magazine. Do you have any special memories of Christmas celebrations on Gasparilla Island? We want to hear from you about all your traditions and stories that have made Christmas in Boca Grande […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News, Real Estate.
The Gasparilla Inn is considering a number of retailers for their retail location at Railroad Plaza after the recent closing of The Royal Paw Grooming. “Obviously being retail space there are a lot of people interested in it,” said Brent Cross, the hotel’s president and general manager. “I’ve gotten numerous emails for that spot.” The […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Editor’s Note: In recent weeks, the Boca Beacon has been releasing documents from a Public Records Request from Lee County. These are not new documents, but merely draft discussion points and documents relating to parking on Gasparilla Island from officials in Lee County. All documents and reporting are online at bocabeacon.com/parking. A draft code change […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors, Uncategorized.
Genetics studies confirmed what many anglers and biologists have believed for a long time. Florida’s most popular freshwater game fish has a new name. The American Fisheries Society established the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass. This means that in most of Florida (except the western Panhandle) what was known as […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Readers have asked about the different procedures for the removal of invasive iguanas on Gasparilla Island. On the north end of Gasparilla Island, there is a different procedure for the removal of the iguana than Lee County. Charlotte County contracts with the United States Department of Agriculture for removal, as part of their MSBU, or […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY When people learn that I volunteer with BGSTA’s Turtle Patrol, so many of them say how much they would love to do that too, so I figured I would bring you along on one of my morning patrols so you can see what I really do. 5:55 a.m. I stop […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
The big story on our local waterfront currently is the pending Eldred’s Marina sale. Whether this deal goes through or not, the property will change ownership soon. The next generation has a dozen varied desires and the family is ready to move on. God only knows what will happen or when, but I’d like to […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Wood eaters BEWARE! Thus read the sign on Sunday, July 14, as The Gasparilla Inn was wrapped for termites, in black, by Truly Nolen. The wrap echoed the work of the artist Christo (except for the pink color) and was off by the beginning of the week. The Inn closed July 7, to wrap up […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
When marine emergencies require a multi-agency approach, Lee County’s Marine Emergency Response Team, or MERT, provides vital communication among agencies. On June 22, there were multiple marine emergencies at once, including an overturned boat and a propeller strike (See “Propeller strike highlights dangerous boating weekend” in the June 28 edition of the Beacon). In a […]