Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The farmer’s market, which is usually held Fridays during season at Wheeler Road, could likely look a little different this spring. Currently, they are looking for a temporary site for the market until Wheeler Road is cleaned up from hurricane debris. The location at Wheeler is not going to be available until mid-February at the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Friends of Boca Grande are now operating out of old marine containers for offices, as they wait for repairs to the Boca Grande Community Center, which was flooded during hurricanes Helene and Milton. The “offices” are in the parking lot of the Crowninshield House, which will be the first building renovated for use after the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
Two men were arrested for resisting an officer without violence around 11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 on South Harbor Drive. Gage Liam Towles and Wesley Robert Owensby, both 21, were fishing in the water at a “community dock,” along with one other man, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s report. Deputies Justin Coker and […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The damage caused by Helene and Milton in our area was unprecedented. While many communities received immediate attention and governmental support, Little Gasparilla Island has been overlooked, treated like an afterthought. Everyone here has been affected, with countless homes completely destroyed. Some of the most cherished people in my life lost everything […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved significant investments to protect Florida’s natural resources and agricultural lands. Through the Florida Forever Program, $111 million will secure 24,113 acres of critical lands, including seven key acquisitions that will connect vital conservation areas. Additionally, $206 million was approved to preserve over 62,000 acres of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
Last Friday, the Good Gulf pink pump returned to Park Avenue, in front of Hudson’s Grocery. Monday, Hudson’s reopened. Thank you to the staff of Hudson’s, the Wise family, BGI Painting and so many others who worked so hard to make it happen. The amount of commerce in that small square retail footage footprint should […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Island leaders met Tuesday morning, Dec. 10, to debrief the emergency response to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Among those in attendance were moderator and AUXCOMM Project Coordinator Bo Hamrick, Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser, and Lt. Mike Sawicki with Lee County Sheriff’s Office. “We were satisfied with the response,” Sawicki said of the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority was able to identify an island resident who dumped hurricane rubbish on the Causeway. That resident was called, though at presstime had not yet responded. “We have cameras everywhere and we are watching,” said Kathy Banson, executive director, “and we were able to identify someone on island.” The person or […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The deadline to apply for residential FEMA assistance after Hurricanes Milton and Helene has been extended to Jan. 7, 2025. Some Gasparilla Island residents report having applied for damages if they were not insured for flooding. While the amount was but a fraction of actual damages to the floor level area of a condo in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners voted to approve a resolution adopting the Lee County Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan. Lee County’s plan must be revised and adopted on an ongoing basis. It is written to be consistent with requirements in the Florida Administrative Code and established standards by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the […]