Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
The canoe/kayak launch and parking area at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier 5810 Gasparilla Road, Gasparilla Island, FL 33921 reopened officially today. Portable toilets are available on site for public use. The county said that patrons are advised to use caution as fenced off areas that include the pier and pier approach walkway remain closed […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY The good news is we have seen our first hatchlings this past week. The bad news is that they hatched and emerged from their nest, but unfortunately a coyote dug them up before they were quite ready. While they were fully formed, they still had their yolk sacs attached, which […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
From Badcock to Lykes, and so many automobile dealers, physicians Above has tournament organizer and director Dixie Hollins with Capt. Wayne Joiner and daughter Effie after winning his four Hollinswood tarpon tournament back in 2003 BY KAREN GRACE Summer in Boca Grande has always been different from winter. The weather is hot 24 hours a […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
This week the Beacon made a public records request of Lee County to obtain the parking petition that Commissioner Kevin Ruane cited in last week’s commissioners meeting. “I think you all may have received an email from Brent Cross,” Ruane said at the Lee County meeting on June 17. “With that was an attachment of […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
In the early 1970s, a group of island residents came together with a mission to preserve the charm, character, and traditions of Gasparilla Island. They formed the GICIA in 1971, marking the beginning of a grassroots effort to preserve island life. With the assistance of Lee County Commissioners and State representatives, the GICIA successfully secured […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Tarpon season this year was a little quieter than some years, but fishing was great, and the annual tournaments were as spirited as always. “It was a good season, not the greatest for business, not as busy as some past seasons,” Capt. Sandy Melvin said. “We’ll recover into next year.” This year’s tarpon tournament season […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Real Estate, Sports & Outdoors.
Currently, there are three major marina projects on the table on Gasparilla Island and in Cape Haze, and there are no listed buyers or partners yet. The most notable is Eldred’s, which has been formally on the market since early 2024. Eldred’s was listed in March 2024 for a reported $40 million asking price. It […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Last Thursday, Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce released a new visitor survey called “Off Island Visitors.” It comes in the wake of a new ordinance that would restrict parking on the island to two hours for shoppers and restaurant patrons while eliminating beach parking for day-trippers except for Gasparilla Island State Parks. “It was […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Sports & Outdoors.
Sally J ends Tournament Season BY BETSY FUGATE JOINER It only took a minute to catch the excitement of friends and families coming together at Scarpa’s Coastal Friday night, Ladies Night Out! A full evening of fun, tables full of exciting raffle prizes, plus a delicious abundance of canapés served and donated by Scarpa’s Coastal. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Fifty-four percent of Lee County had participated in the census. For the first time the census was available on-line. TEN YEARS AGO The Native Now Foundation was selling Indian tacos as a fundraiser for the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation next to Hudson’s. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Megan Clementi, the current Miss Florida, came […]