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Blazing hot weather doesn’t deter tourists who long for a quieter ‘season’

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.

Julie Blakeslee and her sister-in-law Karen Blakeslee were visiting Boca Grande this week after the Fourth of July for one reason: to enjoy Gasparilla Island during the quiet season.

“We don’t like it to be so crowded,” said Karen Blakeslee.

The extended Blakeslee family of six from Springfield, Mo. included three children. While here, they swam, fished for snapper and shot videos of the Fourth of July parade. The day after the Fourth, they were out on Park Avenue in front of Hudson’s, bringing home takeout for the family from Tortuga Mexican Street Cuisine, one of a steady stream of lunchgoers unfazed by the temperature.

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.

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!

Malaria cases put local mosquito control districts on alert

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.

Southwest Florida made national news this week as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported four cases of locally acquired malaria in Sarasota County.

“We need to keep our eyes and ears open,” said Scott Schermerhorn, Charlotte County’s mosquito and aquatic control manager. Charlotte County has 21 sites along the Sarasota/Charlotte border where they are monitoring mosquitoes, doing extra surveillance. Countywide, there are 90 locations.

Habitat for Humanity store reopening in Englewood

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

The Englewood Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian, is set to reopen on Wednesday, July 5. This week, more than two dozen volunteers were busy restocking the 12,000-square-foot ReStore and warehouse located off McCall Road, all with donated goods collected from across Charlotte County.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT – Firefighter Stephen Collison

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.

Firefighter Stephen Collison is still pinching himself, hoping his job at the Boca Grande Fire Department is not a cruel joke. He was hired on April 1, so he’s pretty sure by now it’s no April Fool’s joke.

Steve likes a good laugh and can almost always be found with a smile on his face. He is a naturally happy person. Working for the Boca Grande Fire Department has substantially added to that happiness. It’s not that he was unhappy working for the Sarasota County Fire Department, but this station just fits his sense of community better, he said.

He had been with the Sarasota Department since September of 2021, and before that he was a member of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for more than 11 years. Public safety and public service are his bedrocks.

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns.

Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO Red tide was insane, so much so that we had “fish disposal” dumpster sites available to the public. GIBA talked about changing the name of the Boca Grande Causeway to Gasparilla Road. TEN YEARS AGO We lost Bud Amen. Mila’s swim team did a great job in a California […]

Operation Dry Water has commenced

Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Police & Fire.

As the July 4th holiday approaches, millions of boaters from across the country will convene on our nation’s waterways. With the increased public presence on the water, there is also an increase in the number of boating incidents and fatalities that take place during this time. From July 1 through 3, CCSO, in partnership with […]

One local real estate agent tells the tale of life after Hurricane Ian

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community.

Anyone who has ever been in a disaster situation has the wherewithal to know what to do when it is safe to check out their surroundings. Many people were in that boat on September 28, 2022, the day Hurricane Ian winds and rain forced their way through every nook, cranny and crack in the buildings of Southwest Florida and into our collective memories. 

There were many memories made during that time – some good and some bad – but the ones that stand out in many people’s minds are of the people who helped so much.  

This tale is about just two of those people who made such a difference in so many lives. They are real estate agents Kevin Hyde and his wife Nancy, who are known to many on the island.

41 turtle lighting complaints since March

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

Since March, 41 sea turtle lighting complaints have been logged with Lee County Code Enforcement. Of those 41, all but two (which were closed and voided) were sent notices and no violations were issued. Addresses include many on Shore Lane, Gulf Boulevard, Gilchrist Avenue, Palm Avenue and a few beach access streets. The majority of […]