Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
American Cruise Lines, often seen passing by Gasparilla Island last year, will return after a successful season in 2023-24. This eight-day cruise stops in St. Petersburg, Marco Island, Key West and Punta Gorda. The first trip of the season is Thanksgiving week, and they continue through mid-March. Around day five and six of the trip […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community History, News.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board unanimously approved four projects at their Sept. 11, 2024 meeting, including two Tesla solar projects. Present were members Barbara Wickwire, Paul Eddy, Jerry Edgerton, Becky Paterson and Chair Bill Caldwell. The first request was to legitimize a black chain link fence at 1771 17th St. E. The fence was […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History, Featured News.
BY JAMES J. BLAHA, DIRECTOR, BOCA GRANDE HISTORY CENTER The year was 1949, when NATO was established, West Germany was created, the People’s Republic of China was formally proclaimed and the Soviet Union began testing nuclear weapons. At that time, federal spending was $38.84 billion, unemployment 3.8 percent and the cost of a first-class stamp […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority has installed six new bike signs at each bridge approach. The signs, which were agreed upon at an Aug. 15 quarterly board meeting, inform bikers that they may use the full main lane to cross the causeway. The causeway shoulder does not meet the qualifications of a designated bike path, […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
The Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center is a hub for entertaining, educational and thought-provoking programs that set a tone and reflect the interests of the people of the island. One of the behind-the-scenes people who help make this happen is Josh Cross, the organization’s technology specialist. Josh likes being behind the scenes, not […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Lumen Technologies, the parent company of old CenturyLink, Gasparilla Island’s landline telephone company, has had a major stock run-up this summer, due to speculator interest in demand for artificial intelligence-fueled connectivity, and the company’s fiber-optic network. Lumen Technologies (NYSE: LUMN), through its CenturyLink subsidiary, provides telephone and internet services for Boca Grande. As late as […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
The Boca Beacon’s Visitor’s Guide is the only promotional magazine for travelers to Gasparilla Island, and an essential for advertisers, as it is the key to one of Florida’s wealthiest zip code, 33921. It includes restaurants, shopping, recreation and lodging options, as well local recreation ideas, such as boating and golf. Each year, the guide […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Health & Wellness, News, Sports & Outdoors.
A half-million gallons of rainy sewage leaked onto the Gasparilla Island Water Authority plant grounds after Hurricane Debby. The spill was at 2:05 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 5. It did not go into the Bayou or Cross Island Canal, nor did it hit the golf course or GIWA retention pond. “We had the choice of […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Events, News.
BocaGrandeChamber.com, 941.964.0568 Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce upcoming events • Thursday, Sept. 26, 5 to 7 p.m. All American Tri-Chamber Mixer with hot dogs, hamburgers and apple pie. Hosted by Grande Aire Services, 1606 Faust Dr., Englewood. Boca Grande, Englewood and North Port Chambers. • Monday, Oct. 7, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Educate […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Appreciation and props due for the staff of Gasparilla Island State Park, who have taken over the trash receptacle at 480 Gulf Blvd. near Turtleback Condos. It replaces an old Lee County Recreation and Parks receptacle. The State Park stepped up when Lee County removed theirs. The trash and dog receptacle sits at a Gasparilla […]