Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
A Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce survey on visitors to Gasparilla Island is still gathering submissions. It now has over 2,200 responses and almost 900 written comments and ideas. “We wanted to show that day trippers, as everyone is calling them, do patronize the local shops,” said Gary Cross, executive director of the Boca Grande […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A petition survey by a local schoolteacher and longtime island resident to keep beach parking access open has grown to over 3,000 signatures in just over a week. “Truthfully, I didn’t want to hinder anybody, but I am very passionate about the beach,” said Mila Wyman, who grew up in Boca Grande and still has a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation had a quick agenda at its July meeting. Members Paul Eddy, Jerry Edgerton, Barbara Wickwire, Paul Eddy and Becky Paterson attended, as well as Chairman Bill Caldwell III and Vice Chair Peggy Stanley. It was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church because of work at the Boca Grande Community Center; […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Real Estate.
Above, an archival photo of the old Collier Inn, with its famous steps. Boca Beacon archives A group of homeowners of Useppa Island, including some Boca Grande residents, have reportedly agreed to the purchase of the club from its owner, the Beckstead family. The property has been up for sale. Last year, a previous effort […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Since my last article, we have started seeing hatches of our first loggerhead nests! Our first nests were documented on May 1, and with an approximate two-month incubation period, the hatchlings from these first nests are emerging right on schedule. We should now be seeing hatches on a regular basis […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History, News.
Above, a detail of the Lebourgeois residence from plans from architect T.A. Krebs. The simple carport is on 11th Street. BY TALIA ECKSTEIN The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will meet at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 9, at St. Andrew’s Chapter House to review the following four special certificates of appropriateness: Proposed rehabilitation of the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.
Above, a fence at the south end of the island in November 2021 at Hill Tide became the subject of discussions about the customary use of beaches, as it blocked walkers. Boca Beacon archives BY MARCY SHORTUSE Tuesday, June 24, was a big day for Florida beaches, as Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Beacon is still getting questions about a new draft ordinance that would remove public beach parking access from Boca Grande, except for the Gasparilla Island State Parks. The ordinance draft was moved forward on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. The vote is expected to be held in August. Highlights: Other notes: The full ordinance is […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Officers issued over 1,021 citations citations The upcoming Boca Grande parking draft ordinance that will come before the Lee County Commission in August contains numerous references to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. It includes an array of parking permits, with four tiers, as well as rules for parking around the areas of Gilchrist Avenue, and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.
The Island School has selected Mrs. Anne Smith to serve as the new Reading Intervention/MTSS Coordinator and 5th Grade Science teacher. She will officially start her new position on August 4, 2025. Mrs. Smith is originally from Grand Blanc, Michigan. After graduating from Western Michigan University in 2004 she moved to Florida, where she began […]