Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Regina S. Rockefeller Regina Rockefeller was 21 when she first came to Boca Grande. She was Regina Strazzulla, a young woman determined to make a difference in the world. She came to vacation with her boyfriend, Andy Rockefeller, and his family. Andy’s mother, Connie Wallace, and Regina formed a bond during that vacation that has […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I read with increasing disappointment and real concern about the Lee County Commission’s continued failure to commit to any real transparency regarding the parking issue in Boca Grande. (Seems like it’s a pattern in government these days.) I’m going to say the quiet part out loud; whether intentional or not, this lack […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Early Thursday morning, there were high winds across the island. They caused waves that washed away newly deposited sand. Those winds, which brought much-needed rain, rustled the yellow reflective sticks that are placed in the middle of the Gilchrist median between 5th and 4th streets. Were they an art installation? Of a sort! Everyone knows […]
Written by Drew Stanley on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
It should relieve beachgoers to learn that the number of unprovoked shark attacks came down to a measly 47 incidents worldwide last year, with only four of those being fatal. These numbers are in line with decreasing trends in shark attacks and bite deaths seen in recent years, though they are still well below the […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
The influenza pandemic of 1918 may well be the greatest scourge ever to affect humanity, exacting a death toll greater than all wars of the20th century combined. The virus that wreakedthis havoc apparently developed in birds and jumped to people. It was avian flu. David L. Katz, American physician The claim that bird flu is […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A number of citizens came to Fort Myers today to address the issue of parking on Gasparilla Island with the Lee County Board of County Commissioners on March 4, 2025. Speakers included Gary Cross, Executive Director of the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce; Larry Hannah; Kimberly Whipple, senior warden of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; resident […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Crews recently carefully pruned the banyans on Banyan Street, led by Coastline Tree and Lee County’s consultant, Rick Joyce. The pruning was to remove dead branches, and ensure that no parts of trees were in the roadway. The banyans are already recovering from fall hurricanes and salt water. Photos by Garland
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community History, News.
Charlotte County is now looking to return the old Placida Bunkhouse back to Placida for restoration, in a site possibly north of the Causeway stoplight. Resident John Valickas has been working with county commissioners and staff on what to do with the building, which was moved near the South Gulf Cove Publix when a new […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Dredge to Palm Island for eroding shoreline Earlier this month, Charlotte County approved an award for a dredge and beach disposal for about 5,000 feet of eroding shoreline at the southern end of Manasota Key and Palm Island. The dredge will use sediment from the navigation channel. The project is bid #25-043, 2024 Erosion Control […]
Written by Alici Ouellette on . Posted in Community History, News.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board has scheduled a meeting for Wednesday, March 12 at 10 a.m., at the Community Center Auditorium, 131 1st Street W. Five projects are set to be discussed during the meeting, one of which is a renovation proposal at 331 Tarpon Ave. to elevate the house, adding gabled portion on […]