A happy Independence Day tradition!
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, News.
Two arrested for damages done at Inn Golf Course
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Police & Fire.
Two teenagers from out of state were arrested this week after being caught by Lee County deputies for some disturbing crimes.
According to reports, on Tuesday, June 27 Lee County Sheriff’s detectives were informed of grand theft and criminal mischief that occurred at the Gasparilla Inn Golf Course. Detectives learned that the golf course was under repair and multiple pieces of heavy equipment had been moved overnight. Two suspects had entered the property and driven multiple pieces of equipment around the course.
The heavy machinery, golf course and storage sheds were all damaged. According to LCSO earlier in the week, the damage to the course and equipment was estimated at around $33,000. However, it is likely that the final cost will be much more.
Two Swinneys and a Wise man take the Boca Grande Open
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Boca Grande resident Dabo Swinney and his family love Independence Day. So much so, in fact, they turn one day of celebrating into several. It isn’t a stretch to conclude that a guy who can lead his team to win a few football games like Clemson Coach Dabo has, can probably handle coordinating activities for the friends and family he brings together here at his island home during the first week of July.
It was more than a few years ago that we began to see the love the Swinneys have for spending time outdoors and with each other on the Fourth of July. There have been, of course, more than a couple of casual football games. They haven’t failed to make an appearance at the parade for several years. They also hold a run through town that this year included almost 20 people. The group is also known to put on a rousing game of wiffle ball, which is not uncommon either (check out some YouTube videos on this – wiffle ball is kind of a thing for Clemson players).
The ground is broken and the walls are going up at South Beach Bar & Grille
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.
South Beach Bar & Grille co-owner Bart DeStefano still hasn’t stopped holding his breath, even though the walls are going up on the replacement building. He has had to jump through a lot of hoops to get to this point, as anyone knows who has waterfront property in Florida. But the Bowen Construction guys are out there every day now and no one has stopped them yet.
“They haven’t given us a time frame for completion yet,” DeStefano said. “I’m trying to be realistic by saying maybe February or March of next year, but they may move faster than I think. We originally hoped to be open by Christmas time.”
ISLAND SHERIFF, FIRE AND EMS: BGFD calls from June include some fainting, some falling
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Police & Fire.
On Tuesday, July 4 at 10:05 p.m. firefighters and EMTs responded a call in the 5000 block of Gasparilla Road for a man who had vomited, then fell face first into shallow water. In the end, he was not transported.
On Sunday, July 2 at 10:55 p.m. firefighters received a call of jet skiers in distress. The caller stated they had not had contact with the two people aboard the jet skis since they were told the pair had run aground.
SEA TURTLE TALK
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Call for photo entries for Nature of Charlotte calendar contest
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
Calling all photographers! To highlight Charlotte County’s beautiful natural environment, the theme of our 2024 county calendar will be “The Nature of Charlotte.”
Submit your photos featuring our beaches, waterways, nature preserves, trails and wildlife. Photos must be taken in Charlotte County.
It’s free and easy to enter!
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lee County Department of Health issues blue-green algae bloom alert
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the Caloosahatchee River. The public should exercise caution in and around the Caloosahatchee, particularly in the Overiver Drive area.
Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:
• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.
• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.
• Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.
THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The television documentary called “Mullet and Mangroves: The Pioneer Fishing Familes of Cayo Costa” had aired, featuring cameos by Huddy Coleman Capt. Robert Johnson. Effie Joiner co-produced it. TEN YEARS AGO More than three inches of rain fell on the island in five days’ time, leaving us a bit soggy and moist. […]