Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
In a visit aimed at highlighting the importance of local commerce, Florida Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly toured Gasparilla Island on Tuesday, Oct. 15, to meet with small business owners affected by the recent hurricanes. Kelly’s visit focused on businesses still recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, which caused significant damage in the area. Kelly and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial, News.
Everyone thought the storm would pass us by. Before Helene, there was sandbagging and some boarding up. There was unease, but confidence. The island just finished cleaning up after Ian, and everyone was prepared. Be prepared. Here at the Beacon, we planned to get our issue out early Thursday, in case the power went out. […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist, author, and speaker Astute readers might recognize the above quote from other Eco Watch columns. However, this quote by Margaret Mead fits the essence of this column. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Vote-by-Mail ballots are being sent out in the next week; a national post office expert advises voters worried about their safety to mail early, and use tracking services. Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 26, Vote-by-Mail ballots are being sent to domestic voters who have requested them. While the deadline to return Vote-by-Mail ballots is before 7 […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
This Sunday, Pastor Gary Beatty will preach his last message at First Baptist Church in Boca Grande. Beatty announced his retirement last Sunday. “God’s been good to me,” said Beatty. “The island’s been good to me. People have been good to me.” He came to the church in 2000. His wife Betty knew from the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Two weeks ago, new signs reminding residents that golf carts are prohibited on certain stretches of Gasparilla Island were placed at some locations, including the beginning of the Lee County line. Lt. Mike Sawicki, who oversees Lee County Sheriff operations in Boca Grande, had submitted the work order for the signs. “The purpose of the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
New signs reminding residents that golf carts are prohibited on certain stretches of Gasparilla Island were placed this week, at locations including the beginning of the Lee County line. Tim Engstrom, of the public information office said that there were about a dozen of them. There are no new regulations, only a reminder of existing […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
In the last year we have had multiple situations where individuals stepped out, said something, called a neighbor, called an official and made something change. Very often with our readers, there is a sort of WASPy pride, where they do not want attention for themselves, and wish for only good things to happen in the […]
Written by Evan Dunbar on . Posted in Featured News, Sports & Outdoors.
Iguana hunting is a delicate art, attempted by many, but perfected by few. It was earlier this month when I decided to throw my hat into the ring. Growing up in urban Illinois, I can’t say I was familiar with using air rifles to take down bright-green, 3-foot-long lizards. But I had heard enough from […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Did you know that the Beacon uploads many of our prior photos on Smugmug as hi-res downloadable images, as well as printing some in the paper during each event? Smugmug can be accessed through bocabeacon.com by clicking on the website’s “Photos” tab, or through individual folders farther down the website homepage. Events and photo groups […]