Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Obituaries.
Lynda Kaye Shute, 57, of Rotonda West, FL, passed away on December 7, 2023. She was born on September 25, 1966. Lynda is survived by her husband, Scott Shute, her daughter Brandi Gall, her sons Brent Gall and Erick Hanson. After moving to Boca Grande in 1997 with her husband Scott, Lynda worked various jobs, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority (GIBA) held a special Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2023 to discuss the authority’s investments, and its reporting and handling of those instruments. At the meeting, the Finance Committee offered a resolution led by Jay Feinberg to be presented at the next GIBA board meeting. The resolution stated […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in News, Profiles.
It didn’t take long for Dr. Patrick Bell to fall in love with Boca Grande and all of Gasparilla Island. He came for a weekend visit, and by the third day, he had bought a house and decided this would be his permanent home. That was in 1994. The local real estate agent was actually […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
By Michelle Starr Manatees are on the move. Over the last few weeks our beloved sea cows have been spotted in groups of as large as six around the Boca Grande Fishing Pier. They have also been feasting away from the shore on the seagrass of Gasparilla Sound. Seeing a manatee or two throughout the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Profiles, Uncategorized.
Every issue, the Boca Beacon highlights one of our own in our Page 3 In The Spotlight. We look to the community to see who is making news, whether they be a volunteer for one of our non-profits like BIPS, or the retired important people who have come here after long careers elsewhere and reinvented […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
When a group of Cape Haze residents met last month with Charlotte County officials about a proposed sewer project in their neighborhood, they had a new set of data: water quality tests taken by a group of high school volunteers. The group, led by biologist and resident Robert J. Robbins, took the surveys by boat […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
At their upcoming Dec. 5, 2023 Board of County Commissioners meeting, Lee County will vote on a new contract for “population control services for black spiny-tailed iguanas” on Gasparilla Island. The award, set for the consent agenda, would be given to Blue Iguana Pest Control, Inc. dba Iguana Control of Coral Springs, Fla. as the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History, News.
Almost ten years ago, James Blaha joined the Board of Directors of the Boca Grande Historical Society, and he and Rose Marie Blaha began to volunteer at the History Center. Their combined backgrounds include teaching, chairing humanities departments, museum administration, library resource centers and consulting. Jim notes that he spent several summers on archeology projects […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
The downtown streets of Boca Grande were completely filled Saturday evening for the annual Christmas Walk. While some retailers were closed for the evening festivities, most were open, offering drinks and snacks for the families waiting for Santa’s fire truck visit. “There were definitely more people this year,” said Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Each year, the Boca Beacon publishes a guide to all things Gasparilla Island, the Boca Beacon Visitor’s Guide. The annual publication is the official guide to Gasparilla Island. The booklet, which is free, has a 30,000 circulation. It is the only all-inclusive printed resource for visitors and residents to find out about all things Boca […]