Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Although it was again too chilly on Tuesday to have coffee outdoors at the Boca Grande Community Center before the second “Coffee with a Scientist” presentation of the 2026 series, the auditorium was comfortably warm for the dozens of people in attendance to hear Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Senior Scientist Ryan Schloesser speak. The […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
The Charlotte County Marine Unit has been around for over 20 years. Matthew McElroy, who last week was appointed fire chief and public safety director for Charlotte County Public Safety has been around since the unit’s inception. In 2002, Chief McElroy began his career with Charlotte County Fire & EMS. He helped develop the Marine […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
Above, a CBP van, with green stripe. Photos by Jarell Iacoma Reports of an immigration investigation in Boca Grande early Wednesday morning, Feb. 4 were confirmed by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, which assisted federal officials. “I can confirm that there was an immigration investigation of some kind this morning, but I do not have […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: House Bill 433 falsely pits the health of Florida families and free speech against our agricultural legacy. It is an assault on the right of every citizen to speak up against harmful corporate practices. This bill creates an artificially protected market, undercutting innovative farmers who wish to distinguish their products as […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The hypocrisy and irony have not escaped me that there were island people protesting ICE enforcement operations against criminal illegals in Minneapolis but don’t seem to be bothered by the Lee County parking ordinance that basically removed legal beach access parking for regular legal Americans to go to their beaches. Very […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Boca Grande, our cherished jewel on Gasparilla Island, has always embodied natural beauty intertwined with genuine community spirit. Yet over the past year, a painful rift has widened between the island’s affluent residents and the many respectful visitors and residents from Charlotte County who have treasured this barrier island for generations. The […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Erosion from weekend storms washed out some of the bank at the 5th Street Beach Access. Lee County quickly replaced the sand that had washed away under the steps and this access point is now open once again. Photo […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO The Boca Bay Pass Club announced a $3.5 million renovation project. TEN YEARS AGO The Coast Guard announced that it would be relocating buoys from the Boca Grande Pass to deeper water, allowing for maintenance on the buoys. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Health Clinic went high-tech with electronic health records. […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“The fact is that no species has ever had such wholesale control over everything on Earth, living or dead, as we now have. That lays upon us, whether we like it or not, an awesome responsibility.In our hands now lies not only our own future,but that of all other living creatures with whom we share […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Updated: Now open as of Tuesday, Feb. 3… The 5th Street Beach Access ramp in Boca Grande is temporarily closed while Lee County Parks & Recreation staff tends to sand-restoration at the bottom of the ramp. Weekend storms and waves resulted in some erosion. The county told the Beacon today that that the access point is […]