The art of teaching On Monday The Island School opened its doors for a new school year – and for Valerie Cotton, it marked her first day as the on-island art teacher. After volunteering once a week last year, she’s now back on campus as an employee. “Last year, I was here once a week,” […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
STAFF REPORT – Presented by Eagle Grille & Miller’s Dockside | Boca Grande Marina, the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce will host the 2021 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament on Thursday & Friday, June 10-11 from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. “The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to host the 38th Annual World’s […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: On return north from our annual time in Florida, I have a shell in my beach shoe. Spending many days each year at Gasparilla Island State Park with family and friends, this beautiful area is the usual highlight of our stay. Now looking northeast from Port Boca Grande Lighthouse we see a […]
Bringing You the Latest News Stay updated and informed. Access the latest version of the Boca Beacon E-Edition by clicking on the link below, and stay on top of what’s happening in the aftermath of hurricane Ian. Access The Boca Beacon E-Edition Boca Beacon App Boca Beacon App Featured News View More News Coverage Gasparilla […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUSAN HANAFEE – Even as the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board was conducting its routine monthly meeting this Wednesday, the skirmish over a controversial plan to nominate 129 downtown residences to the National Register of Historic Places was heating up at the local, county and state levels. The latest salvo included copies of 60 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Entertainment, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE – Back in the day when Gasparilla Island was more about community and less about being an exclusive second-home or vacation destination, there was a guy named Mike Weddle and his buddies who made up this little group called the Boca Bande. They may not have made worldwide headlines, but when the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY SUSAN HANAFEE – Sometimes it takes time for dreams to come true. That appears to be the case for the Puerto family, out of Miami, who have been building a 5,000-plus square foot home on the southern tip of Little Gasparilla Island since 2012. The unfinished concrete structure that rises three stories out of […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT – With June 1 on the horizon, signifying the beginning of hurricane season, one errand you should prioritize is making sure your hurricane hang tags, issued by the Boca Grande Fire Department, are handy and ready to use. The community of Boca Grande has implemented one of the most progressive and user-friendly disaster […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Michael Lee Weddle, born September 29, 1954, passed away on May 7, 2021 in Englewood at his home in Englewood, FL. He was born in Compton, Calif. to parents Bob and Gene Weddle, but lived most of his life in Florida. He left California right after high school and moved to Maine, then to Florida. […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor, News.
To the Editor: During the past six years we were very fortunate to spend time with this special lady. As soon as Patti would get out of the hospital or care facility she would arrive at the History Center. Her knowledge of local history was invaluable to us. Often she would bring photos and artifacts […]