Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
Hudson’s Grocery, lunch at Temp part of daily island visits To the Editor: We have been vacationing on the island since the early ‘90s spending an enjoyable week or two with our family and have always felt comfortable and welcomed there. When I retired from my medical practice in 2016, we began renting for two […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
A power boat sank just off the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority swing bridge on Saturday, from a reported collision. Lee EMS released a “watercraft in distress” and “collision” bulletin that reported a “sinking vessel, now completely submerged, one subject still in water, multiple children reported to have been on board, 4-5 people, unknown how many […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured News, News.
Are you ready for an exciting outdoor adventure that combines history, technology and community? Join us for the Parks on the Air event, an international radiosport award program that invites licensed amateur radio operators to explore and operate portable equipment in parks and public lands, all while respecting the environment and fellow park visitors. This […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY VAN HUBBARD I understand that with our increased numbers fishing will not be as easy ever again. Millions of new participants, fewer fish and numerous regulations, plus habitat devastation all add to my challenges. Also, increased turbidity from boat wakes prevents crucial sunlight from reaching the seagrasses and reduces our sight fishing. I’m considering […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Almost daily on my turtle patrols, I’m approached by someone on the beach with questions about sea turtles and what we do for them. Two of the most common questions are what kind of turtles are nesting on Gasparilla Island and how can we tell? Loggerheads are by far the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
A list of seasonal island closures and times of operation from this week’s Ballyhoo. Retail Establishments & Marinas: Aqua Boutique is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 421 Park Ave. Ariel, LTD. is open Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
A “maximum duration of two hours.” That would be the time limit for metered parking in Boca Grande in a draft code change from Lee County, circulated on Monday, May 6, 2024, that would update the Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinances with references to downtown parking. The ordinance was revealed in a Public Records Law document request […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY When people learn that I volunteer with BGSTA’s Turtle Patrol, so many of them say how much they would love to do that too, so I figured I would bring you along on one of my morning patrols so you can see what I really do. 5:55 a.m. I stop […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community, Community History, Featured News, News.
BY JAMES BLAHA, BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY On February 10, 1930, the following article appeared in the Fort Myers News-Press: “Plans for a three-story resort hotel at Boca Grande to cost approximately $250,000, have been prepared for Joseph Spadaro, New York owner of considerable property in Fort Myers and Lee County. The plans were prepared […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Wood eaters BEWARE! Thus read the sign on Sunday, July 14, as The Gasparilla Inn was wrapped for termites, in black, by Truly Nolen. The wrap echoed the work of the artist Christo (except for the pink color) and was off by the beginning of the week. The Inn closed July 7, to wrap up […]