Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
Children are out of school. Experience something new together. Options are almost infinite. Of course, cost and time might be factors. We have choices locally and beyond. There are still a few shore-based fishing opportunities. We have plenty of home-grown fishing guides that have time, equipment and experience to entertain and educate you about our […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Health & Wellness, Sports & Outdoors.
The good news is that bad news can be turned into good news when you change your attitude. Robert H. Schuller, American television evangelist, author Sorry to say, this column will offer many bad news days with the possibility that action by many readers may help jumpstart more good news reports. Many reports will follow […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Obituaries.
Douglas Regan Sandbo, born June 19, 1935, passed away peacefully on July 1, 2025, just days after celebrating his 90th birthday with his entire family. A graduate of Upper Arlington High School, Doug went on to earn a degree in Economics and Marketing from Ohio State University in 1957 where he was a member of […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
A new parking ordinance restricting off island visits will challenge day fishing and guides here on the island, particularly with a two-hour limit downtown and new restrictions across the island. “The Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association was founded to improve the facilities and natural environment available to fishermen,” said Capt. Christopher Taylor, the group’s president. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
A Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce survey on visitors to Gasparilla Island is still gathering submissions. It now has over 2,200 responses and almost 900 written comments and ideas. “We wanted to show that day trippers, as everyone is calling them, do patronize the local shops,” said Gary Cross, executive director of the Boca Grande […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A petition survey by a local schoolteacher and longtime island resident to keep beach parking access open has grown to over 3,000 signatures in just over a week. “Truthfully, I didn’t want to hinder anybody, but I am very passionate about the beach,” said Mila Wyman, who grew up in Boca Grande and still has a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate, Uncategorized.
Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced that funds affiliated with Blackstone Real Estate have agreed to acquire Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor from Allegiant for $200 million. “The acquisition of this brand new, highly amenitized resort demonstrates our strong conviction in hospitality and travel and the continued growth in group-oriented destinations,” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell has released the July 1 tax roll values. The release of the tax roll values starts the process that allows jurisdictions and other taxing authorities to hold public hearings and set proposed ad valorem tax rates that will apply to property in Lee County. Caldwell reminds everyone that the […]
Written by Alici Ouellette on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured News, News.
Featuring Wanamakers, gumbo limbo and Sugarshack The July/August edition of the Boca Beacon’s Gasparilla Island Magazine is out now with new feature stories, recipes, shopping and social pages. Featured stories include a history of the Wanamaker family on Gasparila Island; a story of the Florida gumbo limbo tree with photos; a look at beautiful estate […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE We have had lots of great fishing this past week in the back country. Scattered showers and cloud cover have had the mornings feeling cooler than usual and the fish in the back bay have been biting. Lots of really nice sized snook in the high twenty to mid thirty inch […]