Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
The recent decision by Lee County Commissioners to eliminate a majority of the island’s beach access parking for visitors was a shock to many, and has reverberated through social media and the local news like an earthquake. Now, providing the parking amendment is finalized, it is the aftershocks that the island community will deal with. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Construction will begin Tuesday, Sept. 2, on a $1.7 million renovation project at Wheeler Road Community Park in Boca Grande. The project will replace the park’s two tennis courts with three pickleball courts and two tennis courts, along with new parking spaces, shade structures, a chain-link fence, and a larger restroom. The restroom will be […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority voted to address hurricane drainage issues on Gasparilla Road, near Kappy’s, at their August 14 meeting. After hurricanes Ian, Helene and Milton, the standing water lasted for weeks in a right-of-way stretch of road at the Boca Grande Hotel and Kappy’s Market shopping center. A study by the engineering firm […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office held joint SWAT exercises around the Boca Grande Causeway on Wednesday, Aug. 20. North Port and Florida FWC participated in the exercises, which included jet skis. It is a regular program of the county. Photos by Watson Wu.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire, Uncategorized.
Boca Grande Fire Department and Lee County EMS responded to a shark bite last Saturday night. Chief C.W. Blosser said that fire and EMS responded on Saturday night to a 10:55 p.m. 911 call to “rendezvous with an incoming boat” that arrived on Gasparilla Island from Cayo Costa. Blosser said that the group was tarpon […]
Written by Arlene Hall on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY One of the more important tasks the BGSTA turtle patrollers perform is nest inventory. This is done by digging up and documenting the nest contents either three days after we notice a nest has hatched, or 70 days after the nest was laid, if we didn’t see indications of a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
At the Florida Press Association’s annual conference and awards, the Boca Beacon won 19 awards in the weekly paper category. The awards ceremony, held on Aug. 1 at the Sunseeker Resort, recognized the newspaper for its work in photography, journalism and community service. Since 1989, the Beacon has won 76 first-place awards in the weekly […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community History, Featured News, News.
There will be a new entrance at the Boca Grande Community Center, after approval by the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board on Wednesday. Vice Chair Peggy Stanley presided over the meeting, with board members Becky Paterson, Paul Eddy, Jerry Edgerton, Dennis Maloomian, and Barbara Wickwire attending, and Janet Miller and Planner Peter Blackwell of Lee […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Gasparilla Island is in a waiting period as to when new parking regulations will be imposed. Currently, it is the status quo, as beach street parking is still available to all, and there are no time limits in town for visits. “Lee County staff appreciate the questions that residents and business owners are asking,” said […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO An Iowa man, fishing near the Boca Grande Causeway, was bitten by a blacktip shark as he was releasing it. TEN YEARS AGO The last week of summer camp was wrapping up for Boca Grande kids. Activities included ice skating, roller skating, rock climbing and putt-putt golfing. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Boca Grande […]