Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, Featured News, News.
The last port agent and manager of Boca Grande’s phosphate dock, Joe Murray Freeman Jr., died Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Temple Terrace at age 96. “He had so many answers that the highly educated did not,” said his son, Tommy, who remained in Cape Haze after his father’s retirement from the Seaboard Railroad. Joe […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO L.A. Ainger Middle School held its first concert of the year with some Lemon Bay H.S. players filling in. A “new kind” of Strawberry Festival was held without the boutique and with masks. TEN YEARS AGO A too-heavy tour bus offloaded some of their passengers and made them walk across the bridge […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
The rapid loss of biodiversity that we are witnessing is about much more than nature. The collapse of ecosystems will threaten the well-being and livelihood of everyone on the planet. Linda Krueger, director of Biodiversity and Infrastructure Policy of Nature Conservancy As we enter March, the month that brings us the joy of seeing new […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The first mechanical opening of the Matlacha Drawbridge occurred this week. It was the first time the bridge had opened since 2022 when Hurricane Ian damaged it. Pine Island-Matlacha area motorists saw crews testing the drawbridge. The amount of time motorists waited for the drawbridge to open and close mirrored what would be a normal […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Kayak Fishing in Southwest Florida, the fourth and final talk in a series of free Calusa Blueway Paddling Trail-related programs, is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, at the Wa-Ke Hatchee Recreation Center, 16760 Bass Road, Fort Myers. Presenter Justin Stuller, owner of Estero River Outfitters, will be discussing tips, tricks, trends and equipment. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The next meeting of the Lee Board of County Commissioners will be at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 3, in the Old County Courthouse Commission Chambers at 2120 Main St., Fort Myers. One item on the agenda is to approve a budget transfer for the City of Sanibel Lighthouse Beach Park Pier. The commissioners will vote […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
Old General Development plats and canals studied Charlotte County unanimously revised section 2-4-10 of the county code concerning golf carts to align with state law, including which roads are designated. It also allows a replat of a roadway to designate them for golf carts with planning staff. Sean Cullinan, planning and zoning official for Charlotte […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
On Sunday, Feb. 15 around 4 p.m., while on marked patrol, Lee County Sheriff Deputy Angelo Lanni was stopped at the intersection of East Railroad Avenue and 5th Street. Several people who were crossing the street alerted him to a blue SUV vehicle parked in the adjacent parking lot. According to a Sheriff’s Report, Deputy […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
A Lee County beach renourishment program on Gasparilla Island, initially planned for 2025 and hoped for this year, is still in the works, but the cost has yet to be determined. The Beacon reached out to Lee County officials about the status of the program, which is separate from a completed state-run beach renourishment project […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Surface preparation continues at the Wheeler Road Community Park, where construction for new tennis and pickleball courts is nearing completion. “Everything is on track for May completion,” wrote Tim Engstrom, in an email to the Beacon. “Lee County Parks & Recreation will continue to update the Parks Project Information Tool as the project nears completion.” […]