Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Charlotte County has a number of vacancies on its boards and commissions. They include: Boca Grande Street & Drainage Unit is seeking two members with terms through Oct. 31, 2026 and Oct. 31, 2027. Submit applications to Public Works Department, 7000 Florida St., Punta Gorda, FL 33950; call 941-575-3600 or e-mail MSBU-TU@CharlotteCountyFL.gov. The Barrier Island […]
Written by Evan Dunbar on . Posted in Community, News.
Artist Larry Anderson has just finished the last part of a mural for the children’s section in the Johann Fust Library loggia area. In 2022, Anderson was hired by the Johann Fust Library Foundation to paint a mural in what they call Alice’s Secret Garden, inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett’s 1911 children’s novel: “The Secret […]
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 VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
The big story on our local waterfront currently is the pending Eldred’s Marina sale. Whether this deal goes through or not, the property will change ownership soon. The next generation has a dozen varied desires and the family is ready to move on. God only knows what will happen or when, but I’d like to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
In a move to honor its legacy and mark a new chapter in its storied history, Carr Companies has announced that it is rebranding to CarrAmerica. “As we transition to CarrAmerica, we are more committed than ever to building the communities of tomorrow,” said Austin Flajser, president and chief executive officer of CarrAmerica. “Our new […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire, Sports & Outdoors.
A Lee County Sheriff deputy shut down a noisy party boat anchored off the Gasparilla Island State Park beaches over the Fourth of July weekend. The boat was offshore, but it was so loud it ruined the peace for the dozens gathered on the beach. It was also in violation of county ordinances. It is […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
The issue of parking and beach access in Boca Grande is not unique to Gasparilla Island, or even Southwest Florida. University of Virginia historian Prof. Andrew Kahrl studies the social and environmental history of land use, real estate and racial inequality in the U.S., and teaches courses on African American history, real estate and U.S. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Cane toads have been spotted around the island recently. Be sure to differentiate these invasive species from native Florida toads. George Cera, who was the primary iguana hunter in Boca Grande for many years, wanted to remind residents not to kill native toads. One easy way to identify a cane toad is that it has […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
When marine emergencies require a multi-agency approach, Lee County’s Marine Emergency Response Team, or MERT, provides vital communication among agencies. On June 22, there were multiple marine emergencies at once, including an overturned boat and a propeller strike (See “Propeller strike highlights dangerous boating weekend” in the June 28 edition of the Beacon). In a […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. WILL WATERHOUSE The summer heat has started to really bring water temperatures up making the inshore shallow water fishing a little finicky. Lots of snook are still being caught but look to target them in deeper moving water where it’s not so hot. Redfish are still being caught as well on high tides […]