Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
Above, workers on the Charlotte Harbor and Northern Railroad, from the Historical Society archives. The railroad was originally along the beach. BGHS photo JAMES BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY The song “I’ve been working on the railroad all the live long day” is the introduction to an American folk tune with historical ties to minstrel […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Lee County Board of County Commissioners will hold a meeting on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. The agenda includes an official swearing in for Commissioner Trish Petrosky of District 5. The administrative agenda includes items including Hurricane Ian CDBG grants and budget carryovers.
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Above, Simmel presenting the plans for the spa project. Photo by Garland The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved two projects at its January meeting, including a 15,000 square foot addition to The Gasparilla Inn’s spa. Attending were Paul Eddy, Peggy Stanley, Barbara Wickwire, Jerry Edgerton, Dennis Maloomian and Chairman Bill Caldwell. The first project […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Above, Scozzafava awards Laffaire with a diving coin. Photo by Matt In July 2024, Marie-Laure Laffaire was visiting Gasparilla Island from Paris, France. For years, she and her three children always went to 13th Street to swim ever since her grandfather, a great sailor, lived near Boca Grande. That summer, she was snorkeling when she […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
A crew from St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church assisted in the construction of the Sexton house in Port Charlotte. The volunteer crew installed wall sheathing on the exterior, one of a dozen or so churches helping with Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity. At top and right, the new homeowner wrote Bible verses; she said that she […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Last Friday, the Fust Library’s mobile bicycle unit was out with some of the latest bestsellers. Here, Stacy Bak with the library branch was distributing books. The mobile bicycle unit donation was paid for by the Triad Foundation of Roy Park Jr., who has given a donation to Lee County for this pilot program. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News.
DeJonge Excavating Contractors are working with the Gasparilla Island Water Association and Lee County and Florida Power and Light to repair an 8-inch diameter vitrified clay gravity sewer on Gasparilla Road at 35th Street. A crew was out this week to do the repair, but the work could not be completed because of a high […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
Several island visitors have reported getting warning tickets if they are parked in areas where new parking restrictions have been implemented. “We are using written warnings as an educational tool in advance of full enforcement,” wrote Sarah Rodriguez, sergeant in public affairs at the Lee County Office, in an email to the Boca Beacon. “This […]
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in Community, News.
Placida property also considered citations Charlotte County has included another agenda item related to Boca Grande parking for the regular meeting, to be held at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the Commission Chambers, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte. The item, entitled “Boca Grande Parking Suggestions,” will include discussion and direction on Boca Grande […]
Written by Alici Ouellette on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board has received an application for a Special Certificate of Appropriateness regarding the construction of a two-story spa building and an outdoor lap pool at the Gasparilla Inn between 5th Street and 7th Streets. According to the staff report, the two-story spa building will occupy an area currently used for […]