Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Whenever there’s human devastation, there’s animal devastation. If people can’t get out, animals can’t get out!” Sierra Club, Environmental Organization The extreme effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton will not be fully known for quite some time. Officials are still searching for survivors and the deceased in many areas, and the figures are expected to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
Gasparilla Island Water Association has about 95 percent of the island’s water connections back in service. “We are getting to the nitty gritty,” said Ron Bolton, GIWA’s executive director, who said that less than 120 units are without water and/or sewer. In a Monday email to the board, he said that most of the lift […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Marjorie Katz Fortgang died peacefully on October 5, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home on the island of Boca Grande, Florida. She was 91. Marjorie was born on July 28, 1933, in Longmeadow,Massachusetts, the first daughter of Abraham andIrene Katz. She and her younger sister, June, were best friends who enjoyed a long life full of fun and adventure, bravely supporting […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The night of Monday, Oct. 14, a comet known as C/2023 A3, or Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was photographed 45 minutes after sunset at the Boca Grande Lighthouse. See you again in 80,000 years. Photo by Matt
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Profiles.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly came to Boca Grande to help local businesses ruined by Hurricane Milton. The Beacon discussed the importance of small businesses to not only each local economy, but overall tourism. While here, he saw damage from Milton and Helene, and toured Hudson’s, Scarpas, Key Lime Bistro, […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
Day by day Hurricane Milton recovery on Gasparilla Hurricane Milton was the third hurricane landfall in Florida this year after Debby and then Helene less than two weeks prior. Below is an approximate timeline of Milton’s impacts on Gasparilla Island throughout the week, gathered from Beacon reporting, local weather stations and Gasparilla Island Conservation and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
A disaster fund to assist island businesses has raised nearly $1 million in cash, with hopes of reaching $3 million to help local businesses survive. The goal of the fund is to “make sure everybody stays in business,” said Larry Hannah, one of three organizers of the fund, which is being run through the Lighthouse […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The Rev. Anthony Hewitt, priest of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, has begun daily Mass at the parish’s Life Center, and for the time being will have one Mass on Sundays there, as well. The main church, rectory and Boca Grande Preschool, which is under the direction of the Catholic Diocese of Venice, are […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Education, Letters to the Editor.
Reflecting on early childhood education at the preschool BY KELLENE CARPENTER Editor’s Note: Kelli Carpenter wrote this essay for the Beacon just before Helene. The school was hurt badly in the storms but will rebuild. Over the summer, I had a conversation with a Boca Grande Preschool Board Member about characteristics of quality early-childhood programs. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Featured News, News.
In-person voting at Precinct 122, which typically is held at the Boca Grande Community Center will instead use the Lighthouse United Methodist Church for the Nov. 5 General Election. The Community Center, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Helene and the Hurricane Milton, is unusable, so the Lee County Supervisor of Elections has made a […]