Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Editor’s update: At the end of day Monday, the road was clear of water. For those that need to commute into Boca Grande, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority is open, and Boca Grande Fire Department hang tags are not required. Gasparilla Road, which flooded during Hurricane Helene, is also open. However, there is still some […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Boca Grande Fishing Pier, which had just been reopened after its earthen approach shoulder was damaged by Hurricane Debby, has been closed again. The approach path to the pier, which is an asphalt strip heading to what was the old CSX train trestle, suffered severe erosion after Hurricane Helene. Helene made the side actually […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Police & Fire, Uncategorized.
Lee County today sent an update to the Beacon and the community today to tell of post-Hurricane Helene efforts in Boca Grande. A few departmental updates for residents from the public information office: Lee Department of Transportation The department was in Boca Grande on Friday to assess the situation: Solid Waste Community Development The department […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
This was updated Monday, Sept. 30, and newer stories. Information on sand and debris is now available here. After surveying across Gasparilla Island, it appears that at absolute minimum, dozens of houses have been severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, and many more with substantial damage. In town, many businesses, including Hudson’s and Fugutes, were flooded. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
It was just like a kids’ sandbox today on Gasparilla Island. Crews from Lee County came to the island today to begin the removal of sand from across Gasparilla Island, including on Gilchrist Avenue, and on Gasparilla Road. Saturday, the crews were on Gilchrist and other locations, down to a sandpile on Wheeler Road. There […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Boca Grande Post Office is temporarily closed until officials can assess and clean up any damage from Hurricane Helene. “We will go out there tomorrow (Monday) to see if there is any damage,” said Kellie Harris, acting postmaster of Placida. The Beacon reached her by phone today. She said that all the mail and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
In preparation for the expected arrival of Hurricane Helene, the Boca Grande Fire Department and Chief C.W. Blosser asks residents to monitor, plan and prepare. In an effort to answer the most asked questions this morning, they advise: Follow the Beacon on Twitter and Facebook.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Control District held a public hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 19 to approve the budget and tax increase. The budget is for Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025, and expenditures are 16.7 percent more than last year’s total operating expenditures. The proposed tax levy of $7,447,452, and the budget were approved […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
At the regular Lee County Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 17, Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass raised a Commissioner’s Item about the status of parking decisions in Boca Grande. Board Vice Chairman Kevin Ruane was voted to lead a structured parking initiative back in 2022, and again in June of this year. “I know, […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY As of September 7, the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association’s (BGSTA) “completion countdown” is at 25 nests. 21 of those are loggerhead nests and four are green turtle nests. While five nests were cleared off the countdown since my last report, only one of them had hatched last week. During […]