Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: Thanks for all the verbal support received concerning leafblower noise and health hazards. Remember … if daily and weekly leafblowing were done every other day and week, noise and pollution would be reduced by 50 percent immediately! Speaking of pollution, here are some “fun” facts: All four-stroke engines fire ALL of their […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT – The installation of the Boca Grande swing bridge’s new scale lane is almost complete, and it is scheduled to reopen on Monday, Aug. 28 at 5:45 a.m. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority originally installed the truck scale in 2000. Removal of the old scale began on Monday, July 31. GIBA Executive Director […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN – Known for her smiling face and pleasant manner, Karen Kelley wears many hats at The Island School, where she has been employed since the school started back in 1999. Karen worked in the office that first school year, eventually leading her to other positions as a paraprofessional, creative arts and drama teacher, as […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
Patricia Ann Heisel, 84, died July 30, 2017, at her home at Walloon Lake, Michigan, surrounded by her husband of 61 years and five children, after a brief and brave fight against acute myeloid leukemia. Pat and her husband, William, split their time between Boca Grande and Walloon Lake. Pat enjoyed volunteer work tutoring migrant […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Editorial, Letters to the Editor, News, Opinion.
To the Editor: As his time on our island winds down, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association wishes to extend a generous thank you to Dr. Jeff Humbarger for his years of dedicated service to our organization. Dr. Humbarger brought fresh insight along with a tremendous work ethic and enthusiasm to the turtle patrol. Despite […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
■ STAFF REPORT The Boca Beacon is teaming up with Boca Grande Marina and Lee County County Parks and Recreation staff to host a free youth fishing tournament at 9 a.m. on Saturday, September 9. The two-hour fishing tournament is for boys and girls ages 15-and-under. It will take place at the Boca Grande Fishing […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
On Thursday, Aug. 17 Gasparilla Island State park officially opened the ADA accessible boardwalk on the south end of the island. Funds for this boardwalk were made possible through the Lee County Tourist Development Council. According to Parks Manager Chad Lach, special thanks goes out to not only the TDC, but also Park Rangers Shannon […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
■ STAFF REPORT A 2002 26’ Glacier Bay boat was reportedly stolen from Marina Bokeelia on July 21 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. The boat belongs to Capt. Jack who operates “Capt. Jack Boat Tours” in Bokeelia. T he boat was docked along with other tour boats behind Capt. Con’s Fish House on Main […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
Gerry Getman, 70, of McMurray, Pennsylvania and Boca Grande, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 10, 2017. He was the beloved husband of Katy Getman; loving father of Chrissy (Stephen) Martin and Mandy (Timothy) Cribbs; dear grandfather of Jameson Cribbs; and brother of the late Darold (Barbara) Getman. Several nieces and nephews also survive. Mr. Getman retired […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Profiles.
■ BY SUE ERWIN If you’ve visited the Boca Grande Health Clinic over the past few years, you’ve probably met Laquanda Dixon, the medical assistant at the health center. Laquanda has been working at the clinic for three years. Besides greeting and helping to care for patients, she also is the quality improvement coordinator. She was born […]