Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The Boca Beacon has a current guide to parking spaces across the island HERE, with state, local and town parking spots, and a map of public beach access points as of 2025. Currently, Lee County is proposing to effectively shut down beach parking on the island, to just over 200 places. There would be two-hour […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, Bob Melvin releases one of Boca Blue’s three tarpon last Saturday afternoon in the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament. The Shaw brothers battled three tarpon together as a team. See here for more photos. Photos by Daniel.
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
This weekend on Gasparilla Island was not a major holiday, just a plain old summer weekend. The weather was clear, and visitors came, while so many of our regulars have gone home. The tarpon crowd kept restaurants busy Saturday night. In the story of parking, it was a tale of two places, one Gilchrist Avenue, […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
■ BY BETSY JOINER Saturday night the winds were “Howling” out of the east for the ‘Howl At The Moon’ Tarpon Tournament. Despite the wind and choppy waters 35 tarpon were released in three hours of fishing and 19 boats enjoyed the fun. Congratulations to First Place, Capt. CJ Soderquist’s team on the “Last Call”; Second […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
BY BRENT CROSS, PRESIDENT, THE GASPARILLA INN Editor’s note: Wednesday, The Gasparilla Inn sent a Letter to the Editor concerning parking in Boca Grande. The letter, from President and General Manager Brent Cross, is below: Serving as both residents and business owners, we recognize the importance of addressing parking concerns while preserving the unique characteristics […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
The news that parking in Boca Grande would be an agenda item at the Tuesday, June 4 Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting was a surprise to many in Boca Grande, including those opposed any changes to parking rules on Gilchrist Avenue. On Tuesday, May 28, the Rev. Daphne Johnson of Lighthouse United Methodist […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALLBGSTA SECRETARY For a limited time, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association is offering a unique way to mark a special occasion while also helping local sea turtles nesting on Gasparilla Island. “Adopting” a sea turtle nest can be that unusual birthday gift for the person who has everything, a special way to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Two people are under arrest after continuing to operate an illegal casino in Charlotte County. The arrests are one of a number of raids, as the county attempts to crack down on gambling that is happening in plain sight, in locations across the county. “These businesses continued to operate after we executed search warrants on […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Design and Construction is soliciting sealed contractor bids for a new Sea Grape Restroom at the Gasparilla Island State Park. Contractors must be licensed to work in this jurisdiction, and bids must be submitted no later than 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25. The contractor will provide […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Travel.
Allegiant Travel Company on May 30 began seasonal service from Punta Gorda Airport (PGD) to Huntington, West Virginia. This is part of the airline’s latest seasonal expansion in 66 cities across the country and 81 different routes. The flights to Huntington, West Virginia serve Huntington Tri-State Airport (HTS). At Fort Myers Southwest Florida International Airport […]