Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, News, Real Estate.
Placida Harbour Club, just five minutes off Gasparilla Island, will complete a three-year multiphase renovation by the end of 2025. “After Hurricane Ian, the development, which is roughly 30 years old, began major renovations that would be comprehensive,” said Lowell White, Placida Harbour resident and member of the marketing committee. White was a custom-home builder […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The red tide conditions for Gasparilla Island waters have improved, with latest samples indicating background to low concentrations of Karenia brevis in the last week. As of Wednesday, Feb. 26, the amount of red tide cells was shown to have decreased to 0-1,000 cells per liter in the Gasparilla Sound, the Boca Grande Pass and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The King Fisher Fleet tour boat line has returned for her Saturday jaunts from Punta Gorda to Boca Grande. The vessels Charlotte Lady, Helen M, and Miss Elissa (the new fast catamaran) are here every Saturday through April 26. “We are still working on the speed and performance of the new cat and have not […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Society.
A crew from the fashion line Hunter Bell was on island in January to photograph their spring collection, interpreted amidst the architectural landmarks of Boca Grande. That collection just dropped a few weeks ago, and photos across the island are now seen on the company’s website. Above in The Gasparilla Inn lobby, and at the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
USPS sometimes dispatches mobile units Gasparilla Island continues to wait for the reopening of the Boca Grande Post Office, which has been closed since it was flooded during 2024 hurricanes. A reader suggested to the paper that perhaps the USPS could open a temporary branch of the post office on the island. “The size and […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Lee County’s iguana-removal vendor for Boca Grande has resumed service after a three-month winter hiatus. “The break is there because it’s a stipulation of the contract written by Lee County,” said Tom Portuallo, owner and founder of Blue Iguana Pest Control Inc. Brian Ambrose is a technician for Blue Iguana which is the primary vendor […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Belinda Davie of England took this photo of a Altantic bottlenose dolphin near the fishing pier at the north end of Gasparilla Island on Tuesday, Feb. 25. There were at least two dolphins, but maybe more, she said. Catching in the air onshore is a challenge with a camera. “It is difficult to tell when […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Sports & Outdoors.
Gasparilla Island Water Association thanks Margate city utility crews BY JERRY EDGERTON PRESIDENT, GIWA BOARD We would like to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the City of Margate and its Department of Environmental and Engineering Services for their invaluable assistance in helping Boca Grande recover from the impact of Hurricane Milton. The team […]
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 Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
James F. Carlin, of Boca Grande, FL, and Newport, RI, passed away on March 2, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. Adored and adoring husband of Brenda (Egan) Carlin for over 60 years. Born in Boston, MA, on April 30, 1940, to James F. and Mary T. (Looney) Carlin, Jim grew up in Peabody, MA, and […]