Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in Featured News.
BY JACK SHORT Lee County recently adopted an ordinance to amend certain impact fee collection and schedules and Charlotte County is scheduling a public hearing in order to get feedback on a similar action. In March, 2013, Lee County commissioners reduced the rate of impact fees, which are used in Florida to fund infrastructure requirements […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT The three plans outlined in a recent Beacon story failed to gain traction between the two main sides in an ongoing debate over parking on the Gilchrist Avenue Median. “Our hope was that they could get close enough to agree on one option,” said a representative of Lee County, “but they each […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE We’ve reported this before, but now it looks like it may come true: Lee County Commissioners seem to have plans to move forward with some sort of Gilchrist parking proposal. There are three options on the table now, after a February 9 meeting between Assistant County Manager Doug Meurer, Department of Transportation […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT The lawsuit brought by local conservation group Friends of Cape Haze against Charlotte County, which was to be decided at an administrative hearing in February, was continued. The delay was allowed so FOCH’s counsel could undergo invasive medical testing, regularly performed by only a few physicians in the country, according to the […]
Written by BBadmin7502 on . Posted in Editorial.
SUBMITTED BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND CONSERVATION AND IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION In recent years, GICIA has begun to face new challenges as we recognize that growth in nearby areas off-island have the potential to seriously impact us. In an effort to effectively deal with such issues, GICIA has established a strong relationship with the Friends of Cape Haze […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Education, News.
Heads are spinning within the Lee County School District, as the school board voted 3-2 to opt the district out of standardized testing. The decision was made on Wednesday, Aug. 27, and it made history.
Lee County is now the first county in Florida to opt out of the tests. What that means to supporters of the school board’s decision is that students will no longer be in dread of being held back because they failed the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, and that they will be graded on their schoolwork … not on their FCAT scores.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Board of Directors recently elected officers for its 2025-26 fiscal year and appointed three new members. Paul Hudson, a senior vice president and managing director at Northern Trust, will serve as board chair, while Circuit Court Judge Charles Williams will take on the role of vice chair. The board’s […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
On Saturday, July 12, Deputy David Scozzafava of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office responded to Damficare Street in reference to a theft from a boat the day prior. The owner of the boat rents a boat slip and had his 2025 flats boat docked with six rod combos stored in the gunwale, according to the […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Education, Featured News, News.
Schools of excellence The Island School has earned an A for the eighth time in a row in the annual Florida Department of Education ranking. “I’m proud to share that The Island School has once again earned an ‘A’ rating from the Florida Department of Education for 2025,” wrote Christine Oliver, head of The Island […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Lighthouse United Methodist Church has responded to criticism in social media that it is behind or supporting all the elements in a proposed parking plan for Boca Grande. Peter Soderberg, Chair of the Church Council at Lighthouse United Methodist Church of Boca Grande, issued a statement to the Beacon, and sent it out to members […]