Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The U.S. Census Bureau statistics say that more than 50,000 people have moved to the Sarasota/North Port/Punta Gorda area in the last 18 months, and the state had 221,000 more residents arrive from other U.S. states than leave from July 2020 to July of 2021. This accounted for the biggest population gain for the state since 2005
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
Lee County Parks & Recreation and the Boca Beacon will sponsor another youth fishing tournament on Saturday, May 14 at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier, located on the north end of the island behind Kappy’s Island Shoppe, from 9 to 11 a.m. Prizes and awards are to be had in many different age groups. Live […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Father Sullivan was the first resident priest the island ever had. According to local history, the rectory as we know it now used to be a convent when he came to the island in1985. The sisters who lived there moved to Englewood to be closer to the Placida Road church, St. Francis. He was also responsible for purchasing the house and property next door to the church, which he renovated into a daycare center, now called the Boca Grande Preschool. The old rectory was sold to a resident, Mark Shevitski, and Father Sullivan moved across the street into the newly purchased house.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
BIPS’ educational programs and events inspire stewardship in the young and old alike, and sometimes the positive impact is astounding, even to BIPS’ staff. Recently, a young wader who learned about the environment in school was inspired after the Wading Adventures program to help make the world better. See her testimony on video at Vimeo.com/700782972. Another youngster decided to become a marine biologist to save marine life, and others express a desire to preserve history after visiting the lighthouses on docent led tours. Each story reflects a remarkable and personal dedication to protect nature and history that was influenced directly by a program or event hosted by BIPS.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
This time of year in Southwest Florida often leads to fire hazard warnings, particularly when the breeze is blowing and there is nary a cloud in the sky. Notifications have been issued for Southwest Florida by FEMA in the last few weeks, and several incidents around Cape Haze Peninsula have led to homes getting too […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The new boat is a 9M Interceptor with an aluminum hull and a ¾ enclosed cabin. She is powered by twin Mercury Motors, has a fire pump that delivers over 500 gallons per minute of water, front and rear deck guns and dive doors.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Police & Fire.
It’s been a busy time lately for the Boca Grande Fire Department and Lee County EMS, as they’ve responded to a plethora of calls that involve everything from falls to elevator rescues, downed power lines to brush fires and more. Here are some highlights from the last few days.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages.
Boca Beacon backpages 4.22.2022 FIVE YEARS AGO The United Methodist Women of Boca Grande announced they raised $80,000 at the Strawberry Festival, which would be split among 25 charitable organizations. TEN YEARS AGO The Bag Lady was back at Boca Bargains, GIBA was talking about a smaller tender house and a change to catwalks, […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
A BIG THANK YOU to Patricia Bossey, Debby & Duncan Cross, Sue Fuller, Kris Ganong, Jane & Clark Hinkley, Lori Hunter, Marge Laughlin, Anne Lyons, Rebecca Martin, Madonna Merritt and Karen Zarse, as they spent quite a bit of time stuffing over 400 boxes filled with treats for the kids. On the day of the hunt, Georgia & Maddy Aguilar, Debby & Duncan Cross, Lori Hunter, Trent Keisling, Louise Martin, Mary Ann McGowan, Honey Skinner and Karen Zarse provided assistance where needed. Special recognition goes out to Pat Chapman, who when called upon, does anything and everything that is asked of her when it comes to the children. Pat spent her 22nd year volunteering for the hunt by filling goodie boxes on Thursday and supervising the prize table on Saturday. She was wearing her 2004 Smarty Jones winning Kentucky Derby hat too. YOU ARE THE BEST, PAT!
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
The war in Ukraine is being fought some 6,000 miles from Boca Grande, but it is also being fought in our own backyard … and affecting people we know and care about. This week we have a story featuring such a connection, and it shows us that the world is smaller than we sometimes think … and that there are many ways we can serve the interest of world peace by reaching out and helping our neighbors.
Andy Roman, who spent his childhood in Boca Grande and still has connections here, is leaving May 2 for his second trip to Ukraine since the war with Russia started a little over a month ago. He has relatives in Ukraine and originally wanted to help them relocate to a safer place. When the family members decided to stay and fight, Andy decided to do the same.