Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History, News, Real Estate.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will meet Sept. 10, 2025 at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church for its monthly meeting. The only item on the agenda is the Ghriskey Remodel, at 731 Palm Ave., with additions to an existing residence and new pool. The next meeting date for the board will be Oct. 8, 2025.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, News.
The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce second annual Big Mouth Chili Challenge is set for Saturday, Nov. 15, right after the Grande Firehouse 5K. “We figured everyone was going to be out here for the run so it would be the perfect time,” said Chamber Executive Director Gary Cross. The location for the cookoff […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
On Sunday morning, Aug. 24, a possible jewelry theft was reported from the Boca Grande Resort on the north end of Gasparilla Island, according to a Charlotte County police report. The caller told Charlotte County law enforcement officers that the jewelry she had brought with her, including a silver hairpin, gold earrings, a shell necklace […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
In advance of the Labor Day weekend, and in the wake of a social media backlash over Boca Grande parking, traffic so far this month is about even with last year at this time. “With five days left in the month, August traffic is just about even (down 169 vehicles) compared to last August,” said […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Featured News, News.
The new September/October edition of the Gasparilla Island Magazine is out. Inside, are stories on Marion Alger in Boca Grande, shell collections and the growing Mah Jongg craze. At newsstands now.
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
The Boca Grande Fire Department hosted a meeting of the island’s Emergency Operations group Wednesday morning, Aug. 27 to plan for potential storm events. “We just want to be on the same page and work efficiently,” said Fire Chief C.W. Blosser. “The goal is to get information out faster and be more reliable.” One change […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
After an August 5 ordinance that will change parking rules on Gasparilla Island, the Beacon continues to get complaints that there are at least three new, unpermitted ‘curb lawns’ in Boca Grande. In response, the Beacon asked Lee County staff if there were any plans to address the non-permitted landscaping on the island on county […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: I want to share my perspective on the parking situation to maybe add a little more insight. As many of you know, I worked on island for several years as an eco tour guide and over the last few years noticed a huge change in the type of visitors as well as […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO GIBA announced that a contract had been awarded for the construction of the southern roadway sidewalk which would include paved shoulders, concrete sidewalk and curbing. TEN YEARS AGO Island firefighters rescued a woman from the water between Pine Island and Cayo Costa where the currents quickly carried her away from her boat. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
A kind and anonymous X.com user reached out to the Boca Beacon Twitter feed this week, suggesting a PGA-like shuttle for Boca Grande to help preserve the independent merchants on the island after parking restrictions. Ads could be sold, he said. He did not even live nearby. “I’m a small-business owner and the story reminded […]