Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Friends of Boca Grande announced they had plans to put up a sunshade at the Community Center outdoor stage. TEN YEARS AGO Abbie Turner hooked a giant jumping shark on the “Jill Marie,” but Wyatt took first in the BoMo. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO An unclaimed golf cart on the rocks, in the […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News.
Southwest Florida Honor Flight (SWFL) has just announced it is hosting a second Honor Flight this year. The first one was in May (and included Boca Beacon publisher Dusty Hopkins), and this next one is scheduled for October 10.
Naomi Copeland, president of SWFL, said the second flight will leave from the Punta Gorda Airport. “This is the first time in 14 years that there has been more than one ‘mission’ annually,” Copeland said. She noted that the original intention was to have this mission dedicated to women veterans, but there have not been enough female veteran applications received to fill an entire flight. Thus they are now including men veterans, as well.
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
The Cape Haze Publix, officially Store 697, is planning to offer a pharmacy early this fall.
Lindsey Willis, media relations manager for Publix for our southeast region, confirmed that the store will offer a pharmacy but did not yet have a firm date.
The shopping center located at 8725 Placida Road was constructed in 1999, according to leasing agent David Fasano of Southeast Centers. The shopping center’s tenants include Englewood Bank and Trust, The UPS Store, D.O. Nails, Tarpon Real Estate, Little Tony’s Pizza and BNT Liquors.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
There are few Southern gentlemen left, but by outward appearances, so far, John Garland Pollard IV might be one of them. He is our new staff writer at the Boca Beacon and Gasparilla Island Magazine, and knowing how crazy you have to be to write for a living, we might want to check his crawl space and backyard to see if there are any bodies hidden there.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.
The July meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board went rather expeditiously, even though the one official item on the agenda was a huge project at 1000 10th Street. It was the discussion at the very end of the meeting regarding future items to be addressed by the board that were the most important.
Lee County Planner Peter Blackwell was reading off the scant list of items that will come before the board in August and, quite possibly, September. When he mentioned the old bakery building that the tower fell into, Board Member Bill Caldwell was quick to ask what the status of that project was. Blackwell said their permission to demo had not been granted by the county yet, as they were still waiting on the paperwork from the petitioner.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.