Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The United States Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District will make releases from the east, west and south out of Lake Okeechobee, beginning Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, due to heavier-than-normal El Niño rainfall that has kept the lake at an abnormally high level this dry season. The releases are being made now to lower the lake […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
Shorebird/seabird beach nesting season begins Feb. 15, 2024. Each nesting season, Charlotte County staff installs temporarily fencing and educational signage around solitary and colony nesting areas to provide a safe buffer zone. Beachgoers are advised to avoid posted shorebird/seabird nesting areas and leave dogs at home. Dogs are seen as predators and have the potential […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Look out for the March/April edition of Gasparilla Magazine, featuring stories on water aerobics, fly fishing and the Lemon Bay Golf Club. Keep an eye on your mailboxes for the new edition or stop by the Beacon office to pick up a copy.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, News.
The dates for upcoming Boca Grande tarpon tournaments have been set. “The tournaments” are a great tradition, said Betsy Joiner, president of the Gasparilla Island Maritime Museum. “It’s exciting as the weather gets warmer and tarpon start coming out. Everyone gets tarpon fever.” The season begins with the Ladies’ Day Tarpon Tournament, hosted by the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Last weekend, the Miss Elissa catamaran made her first voyage to Boca Grande from Punta Gorda. The new voyage here is about 90 minutes, which is about an hour faster than before. “It’s more stable and it can make better time,” said Elissa Allen, marketing director for King Fisher fleet and namesake for Miss Elissa. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority elected a new chairman at its Tuesday, Feb. 13 meeting. The former vice chairman, Drew Tucker, was elected chairman. George Milne was elected vice chair. “I have enjoyed it but I do believe in term limits,” said outgoing Chairman Ginger Watkins. During the meeting, Watkins took a look back at […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Tired of fighting. That’s the word from one of the main homeowner claimants to an upcoming bankruptcy case for The Gasparilla Mobile Estates, which is located just to the west of Gasparilla Marina in Placida. “Some folks have lost everything,” said Peter Bezemer, a Canadian who has been a resident of the park for over […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events.
BY JASON WICKMAN On Saturday, March 2, the Strawberry Festival will return to the Community Center grounds to celebrate more than 30 years of raising money to provide help to local women and children in need. “Despite the fatigue and many challenges left over from the hurricane, the church women are moving ahead full steam […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
BY G.B. (BO) HAMRICKPROJECT COORDINATOR, AUXCOMM The Boca Grande Fire Department’s Auxiliary Emergency Communications project, AUXCOMM, has entered its second phase – the implementation of greatly improved radio communications for many island entities.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
For residents who have docks or waterfront, Lemon BayWatch Team of Lemon Bay Conservancy is pursuing their goal of improving the water quality of Lemon Bay through the use of vertical oyster gardens. The Lemon BayWatch “Oyster Ambassadors” will be on site at Waterways Paddlesports, 501 W. Dearborn Street, Englewood every Thursday through April, 25, […]