Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Department held a hurricane training session for island organization leaders on Thursday, June 13. Leaders from the Health Clinic, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, The Island School, the Barrier Island Parks Society and Island TV, among others, gathered to go over preparations, operations, logistics and communication in the case of a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
On Tuesday June 18, the Lee Board of County Commissioners will review the overall development agreement between the county and the Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center, regarding improvements and renovations. That proposed agreement, which includes a requirement for finished plans and proof of pledges for the project, describes Friends’ relationship with the county […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
John Irving Welch of Boca Grande and formerly of St. Petersburg, Florida, passed away peacefully on June 2, 2024, at the age of 91. John was born on February 18, 1933, to Mary Merrell Welch and John Parker Welch. He spent his childhood in St. Petersburg and graduated from the McCallie School in Chattanooga, Tennessee […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Roby Harrington III died peacefully at his home in Manchester, VT on May 31 surrounded by family and friends, he was 95. Retired Chairman of the Y&R Group, Roby is survived by his children Roby IV, Scott, Todd, and Sue, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He was predeceased by his wife of 66 years […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Henry Lee Elwood, 89, passed away surrounded by family in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on June 9, 2024. Beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend, Henry was true to Cresco through and through; he was humble and loyally committed to small businesses in and around Cresco. In the religious community, he was a testament to his faith […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community History, News.
Charlotte County has received a preliminary report on the fate of the Placida Bunkhouse, a 1907 cottage used to house the railroad workers of the Charlotte Harbor & Northern Railroad. “It was kind of a mixed bag,” said Charlotte County Commissioner Joe Tiseo, who has, by default, taken a leadership role in the project. “We […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Real Estate.
Real estate enters slow season with high values As the season winds down and the summer real estate quiet begins, brokers are saying that Gasparilla Island is getting back to a pre-COVID market, albeit with prices higher, and more uncertainty. In the five-year period from before COVID to today’s market, real estate prices have essentially […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Amid the parking discussion that is once again dominating Boca Grande, many in the commercial district are concerned about how they might be affected by proposed parking limits. Last Tuesday, June 4, Commissioner and Vice Chairman Kevin Ruane brought a “Commissioners’ Item” to the regularly scheduled meeting, detailing his plan to work toward a parking […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
How will parking proposal affect town residents? To the Editor: Thank you for your editorial regarding parking and supporting everyone’s input. In regards to the proposal requiring a 2-hour limit for parking in the “commercial district,” I would like to remind Mr. Ruane that people actually live on Park Avenue. In our building alone there are […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
This weekend on Gasparilla Island was not a major holiday, just a plain old summer weekend. The weather was clear, and visitors came, while so many of our regulars have gone home. The tarpon crowd kept restaurants busy Saturday night. In the story of parking, it was a tale of two places, one Gilchrist Avenue, […]