Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
There is a remarkable ship that will pass by us on this renamed Gulf in coming days. It is a last voyage for the greatest, fastest and most beautiful vessel that America, and the world, ever saw. It is the final route of the S.S. United States, which is heading to be sunk off of […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Opinion.
Parking issues, with cupcakes, in this ‘magical place’ BY JAY WHIPPLE I was outraged at the volume of cars and illegal parking last Sunday. On my tour of the situation on Sunday, I witnessed people parking illegally near the Range Light on both sides of Gulf Boulevard, and on a triangle of grass at the […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE Redfish are starting to show up in strong numbers in the backcountry! With the weather getting warmer, the redfish have gotten active and willing to bite. We are mostly catching the reds on live bait but swim baits and flies will work as well. Along with the redfish the snook are […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Lee County has reopened the dog park, tennis courts and restrooms at Wheeler Road Community Park, which had been mobilized for use to help Gasparilla Island’s recovery from Hurricane Milton. “Lee County thanks Boca Grande residents for their patience these past months as the county wrapped up its Hurricane Milton operations,” wrote Communications Director Betsy […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News.
The Board of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA) met Wednesday, Feb. 5, for a quarterly report on bridge operations and upcoming remediation work. “We’ve made excellent progress in hurricane repairs,” said Executive Director Kathy Banson. January 2025 traffic was up two percent from last January 2024 and revenue was up two percent as well, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Florida’s beach sand replenishment project for the south end of Gasparilla Island at Gasparilla Island State Park has begun. Last summer, the state solicited bids for the renourishment of the south end. The process includes over 150,000 cubic yards of fill that is “compatible with the existing native beach sand.” The Florida Department of Environmental […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Commissioner Kevin Ruane addressed the long-debated structured parking plan for Boca Grande during the regular Lee County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18. “On April 22 the commission voted unanimously to authorize me to move forward evaluating the parking situation in Lee County on Gasparilla Island,” Ruane said. “Over two years since then I’ve had […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Since this season began, we have been experiencing the increasing degradation of our Historic District and its residential beach street neighborhoods, which on some days, are completely overrun. Beach parking has been chaotic and is overflowing into adjacent areas causing visibility and safety issues. This is the direct result of the unprecedented, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, News.
Here we are, just four months after two massive hurricanes, and Lee County Commissioners have moved forward with some sort of unspecific parking restriction scheme in Boca Grande. They did it Tuesday by leaving a discussion off the formal agenda. A few selected residents went speak on the issue of parking, seemingly representing the feelings […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Wade Staniar From the time he was quite young, Wade Staniar has had a special affection for trees. In fact, he would say he had a passion for them. That passion led to a career in forestry, land management, real estate sales and consulting that has brought satisfaction in many areas of his life. Trees […]