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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.

Blazing hot weather doesn’t deter tourists who long for a quieter ‘season’

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.

Julie Blakeslee and her sister-in-law Karen Blakeslee were visiting Boca Grande this week after the Fourth of July for one reason: to enjoy Gasparilla Island during the quiet season.

“We don’t like it to be so crowded,” said Karen Blakeslee.

The extended Blakeslee family of six from Springfield, Mo. included three children. While here, they swam, fished for snapper and shot videos of the Fourth of July parade. The day after the Fourth, they were out on Park Avenue in front of Hudson’s, bringing home takeout for the family from Tortuga Mexican Street Cuisine, one of a steady stream of lunchgoers unfazed by the temperature.

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).

The ground is broken and the walls are going up at South Beach Bar & Grille

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

South Beach Bar & Grille co-owner Bart DeStefano still hasn’t stopped holding his breath, even though the walls are going up on the replacement building. He has had to jump through a lot of hoops to get to this point, as anyone knows who has waterfront property in Florida. But the Bowen Construction guys are out there every day now and no one has stopped them yet.

“They haven’t given us a time frame for completion yet,” DeStefano said. “I’m trying to be realistic by saying maybe February or March of next year, but they may move faster than I think. We originally hoped to be open by Christmas time.”

ISLAND SHERIFF, FIRE AND EMS: BGFD calls from June include some fainting, some falling

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

On Tuesday, July 4 at 10:05 p.m. firefighters and EMTs responded a call in the 5000 block of Gasparilla Road for a man who had vomited, then fell face first into shallow water. In the end, he was not transported.

On Sunday, July 2 at 10:55 p.m. firefighters received a call of jet skiers in distress. The caller stated they had not had contact with the two people aboard the jet skis since they were told the pair had run aground.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Call for photo entries for Nature of Charlotte calendar contest

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

Calling all photographers! To highlight Charlotte County’s beautiful natural environment, the theme of our 2024 county calendar will be “The Nature of Charlotte.”

Submit your photos featuring our beaches, waterways, nature preserves, trails and wildlife. Photos must be taken in Charlotte County.

It’s free and easy to enter!

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Lee County Department of Health issues blue-green algae bloom alert

Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.

The Florida Department of Health in Lee County has issued a Health Alert for the presence of harmful blue-green algal toxins in the Caloosahatchee River. The public should exercise caution in and around the Caloosahatchee, particularly in the Overiver Drive area.

Residents and visitors are advised to take the following precautions:

• Do not drink, swim, wade, use personal watercraft, water ski or boat in waters where there is a visible bloom.

• Wash your skin and clothing with soap and water if you have contact with algae or discolored or smelly water.

• Keep pets away from the area. Waters where there are algae blooms are not safe for animals. Pets and livestock should have a different source of water when algae blooms are present.

ECOWATCH: The wellbeing of the oceans needs sea turtles

Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Boca Beacon Back Pages, Columns, Opinion.

As a keystone species, these ancient mariners have a positive influence out of the water as well as in it. According to Oceana, a publication of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA ), “nesting sea turtles help beaches by depositing their eggs in the sand. Eggshells and unhatched eggs left behind provide important nutrients that nourish the dune vegetation such as beach grasses which stabilize dunes and help prevent coastal erosions.                                                                                                              

“Major changes have occurred in the oceans because sea turtles have been virtually eliminated from many areas of the globe. Commercial fishing, loss of nesting habitat and climate change are among the human-caused threats pushing sea turtles toward extinction. As sea turtle populations decline, so does their ability to fulfill vital functions in ocean [habitats].”