Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
While the rainy season has not fully arrived, the little bit of rain last week helped the situation with water supplies on Gasparilla Island, as irrigation has put the system to the test. “Water is exceeding demand,” said Ron Bolton, executive director of the Gasparilla Island Water Association. “We are back to normal, on the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Fundraising continues for a new house for a Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputy family on Gasparilla Island. In the last week, the total money raised has gone from $190,000 to $242,000. Currently, an island deputy and his wife are living in an RV at the location of their old house, until the project is completed. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Boca Grande has a full season of Tarpon Tournaments, offering different traditions and prizes. Tarpon season begins Saturday, May 10 with the Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament. Find more information each week in Ballyhoo. May 10: Ladies Day Hosted by Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce. May 14 & 15: World’s Richest Hosted by Boca Grande […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Education, News.
Logan McGinty is graduating from Lemon Bay High School in a couple of weeks. He will be attending the University of Florida in the fall, majoring in either mechanical or aerospace engineering. Logan has worked at the Gasparilla Inn Tennis Shop since December of 2023. Working there has had a large impact on making him […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Profiles.
The art of daily living with designer, artist Designer Janet Gregg has always had a bit of a creative streak. Growing up in Virginia Beach, she made her own clothes on her sewing machine, mainly crochet belts and tube tops. “I’d come home for spring break from boarding school, and I would make patchwork pants,” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Opinion, Sports & Outdoors.
Plan an appropriate tool to find balance while managing growth BY THE GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association has been working to preserve island life since 1971. Since 2020, the growth of neighboring communities has been significant, and planned future development will apply additional pressure to Boca Grande. These growing development trends will […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE It feels like summer here in Boca Grande and the tarpon have been biting! Lots of tarpon have been caught around Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island, Cayo Costa and Captiva Island! Book your trip to get out and chase the silver king if you haven’t already! In the back bay, snook […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE With a considerable population increase in Florida in the last five years, more and more Florida beach towns are being forced to consider what their options are as far as parking for their “destination” locations, specifically beaches and the more tourist-driven areas. It’s difficult to compare the situation in Boca Grande – […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Currently, the Boca Beacon is waiting on a public records request from Lee County to get a better understanding of what is happening with a proposed parking ordinance. This week, we were made aware that a Boca Grande resident, opposed to the possible restrictions, had also asked for and received over 600 pages of emails […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Irrigation overuse last weekend resulted in a low pressure for water across the island. “We had about 30 percent chance of running out of water,” said Ron Bolton, executive director of Gasparilla Island Water Association. Bolton made individual calls to larger water clients who use irrigation. Because of this, water pressure had to be turned […]