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ECOWATCH: It is time to get back to nature and revel in its gifts

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Opinion.

Lately there have been countless problems facing residents who are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Ian and the possibility of facing another herculean storm due to the overheating of Gulf waters and other issues. 

The prospect of wars, shortages of medicines and fuel, and the rise of crime rates in cities and smaller towns has many on edge.

Plus, the rising cost of home insurance, food, medicine and housing has been taking its toll on the masses. Instead of going to the doctor to get prescriptions for sleeping aids and other minor ailments, experts say we should giver Mother Nature a try.

Octopus Tree discussion shelved, urgency of bakery building demo takes center stage at meeting

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History, News.

The July meeting of the Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board went rather expeditiously, even though the one official item on the agenda was a huge project at 1000 10th Street. It was the discussion at the very end of the meeting regarding future items to be addressed by the board that were the most important.

Lee County Planner Peter Blackwell was reading off the scant list of items that will come before the board in August and, quite possibly, September. When he mentioned the old bakery building that the tower fell into, Board Member Bill Caldwell was quick to ask what the status of that project was. Blackwell said their permission to demo had not been granted by the county yet, as they were still waiting on the paperwork from the petitioner.

Two arrested for damages done at Inn Golf Course

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Police & Fire.

Two teenagers from out of state were arrested this week after being caught by Lee County deputies for some disturbing crimes.

According to reports, on Tuesday, June 27 Lee County Sheriff’s detectives were informed of grand theft and criminal mischief that occurred at the Gasparilla Inn Golf Course. Detectives learned that the golf course was under repair and multiple pieces of heavy equipment had been moved overnight. Two suspects had entered the property and driven multiple pieces of equipment around the course. 

The heavy machinery, golf course and storage sheds were all damaged. According to LCSO earlier in the week, the damage to the course and equipment was estimated at around $33,000. However, it is likely that the final cost will be much more.

Two Swinneys and a Wise man take the Boca Grande Open 

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.

Boca Grande resident Dabo Swinney and his family love Independence Day. So much so, in fact, they turn one day of celebrating into several. It isn’t a stretch to conclude that a guy who can lead his team to win a few football games like Clemson Coach Dabo has, can probably handle coordinating activities for the friends and family he brings together here at his island home during the first week of July.

It was more than a few years ago that we began to see the love the Swinneys have for spending time outdoors and with each other on the Fourth of July. There have been, of course, more than a couple of casual football games. They haven’t failed to make an appearance at the parade for several years. They also hold a run through town that this year included almost 20 people. The group is also known to put on a rousing game of wiffle ball, which is not uncommon either (check out some YouTube videos on this – wiffle ball is kind of a thing for Clemson players).

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.

FIVE YEARS AGO The television documentary called “Mullet and Mangroves: The Pioneer Fishing Familes of Cayo Costa” had aired, featuring cameos by Huddy Coleman Capt. Robert Johnson. Effie Joiner co-produced it. TEN YEARS AGO More than three inches of rain fell on the island in five days’ time, leaving us a bit soggy and moist. […]

The Florida insurance deadfall: Factors working against homeowners and buyers make it easy to see that reform is needed

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

It isn’t easy to be stuck in a corner by an insurer that wants to issue only a fraction of the money it will take to fix a home, particularly when the option of hiring an attorney seems to be the only one left. Some public adjusters have done good work for their clients, and others have not, but either way the client is left to pay them 10 percent of recovered money. Knowing that, many homeowners pick up the phone to call an attorney and skip that middleman.

But Gov. Ron DeSantis has called out “frivolous lawsuits” many times when it comes to insurees, so if you are a person who normally would never consider that, what are you supposed to do?

Malaria cases put local mosquito control districts on alert

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.

Southwest Florida made national news this week as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported four cases of locally acquired malaria in Sarasota County.

“We need to keep our eyes and ears open,” said Scott Schermerhorn, Charlotte County’s mosquito and aquatic control manager. Charlotte County has 21 sites along the Sarasota/Charlotte border where they are monitoring mosquitoes, doing extra surveillance. Countywide, there are 90 locations.

‘The Gateway Project’ to Gasparilla Island discussed by the Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.

Upon taking that first journey onto the island on the heels of Hurricane Ian, there are sights that were seen that many will never forget. The tall pines down across the Boca Grande Causeway after the middle bridge. Homes ripped wide apart. The lake of water at the base of the south bridge, stretching all the way past the Gulf Shores Drive and the Boca Grande Club. 

But it was the trees that came down across from Grande Quay that made so many so sad. One didn’t realize their size and girth until they were seen laying with their tips in the lake and their massive root systems exposed. These trees that lined the west side of the Causeway road were pulled up by the roots as if a giant had come through and picked them like weeds. Their root balls lining the roadway were 20 feet tall and 30 feet wide.

Habitat for Humanity store reopening in Englewood

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

The Englewood Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian, is set to reopen on Wednesday, July 5. This week, more than two dozen volunteers were busy restocking the 12,000-square-foot ReStore and warehouse located off McCall Road, all with donated goods collected from across Charlotte County.