Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
The crew of Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, which supervises rescue operations along the Gulf Coast, held a change of command ceremony on July 24, 2025. Capt. David McCown relieved Capt. Scott Phy as commanding officer of Air Station Clearwater during the ceremony, presided over by Rear Adm. Adam Chamie, commander of Coast Guard Southeast District. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Electromagnetic technology could reduce fishing depredation Scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory’s research facility in Sarasota are testing devices that send electric pulses intended to repel sharks from caught fish. Demian Chapman, senior scientist and director for Mote’s Center for Shark Research is leading shark research at the Marine Experimental Research Facility (MERF). Currently at the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Lee County Commissioners are scheduled to vote August 5 on a parking amendment for Boca Grande that, if passed, would make monumental changes to the landscape of the island. With that thought in mind, it seemed like this would be a good time to get some answers from the ordinance’s backer and […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
On Friday, July 25, Lee County Sheriff’s Department arrested two people for burglary and grand theft of approximately $5,000 of fishing equipment from a boat. The previous Sunday, July 20, the equipment was reported missing from Miller’s Marina. Lee County Sherriff’s office obtained a video depicting two people with shirts over their faces around 2:15 […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
A beachgoer found a burned U.S. Navy phosphorous flare on a Gasparilla Island beach on Tuesday evening around 22nd Street. According to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the item was transported to the Charlotte County landfill for destruction. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Air Force […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: Guess what is not being shared with the public but the Lee County Board is discussing internally? Approving the Boca Grande parking proposal triggers an immediate and expensive FY25 ($4.2M+) price tag, and by federal law, tens of millions of dollars of already approved future federal funds must also be withheld. The […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
This Friday, The Beacon office will be closed for the Florida Press Association annual meeting. The paper won 18 awards, including one for the work of the hurricane fund and for the volunteers from Lighthouse United Methodist Church who made it happen. Another is the Jon A. Roosenraad First Amendment Defense Award. Roosenraad died in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Obituaries.
Decker Todd 63 of Brandon FL died 03/10/2025 at home. Born September 28, 1963 in Lincoln Maine, the son of Donovan E. Todd Jr and Joyce (Fern Elaine Thibodeau) Todd. He grew up in Charleston and gained his love of golf while working at his parents golf course “Todd’s Valley.” Decker attended Foxcroft Academy High […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Education, Featured News, Profiles.
New at The Island School this year Anne Smith may be new to The Island School, but she’s no stranger to the classroom – with 20 years of teaching experience, she’ll begin her first week on island this Monday, Aug. 4. “I was in Sarasota County for 20 years,” Smith said. “My first five years, […]
Written by Harry Kalajian, MDT on . Posted in Columns.
Let’s make a few things clear about training your dog. All unwanted behavior is caused by the owner. Either it was never corrected or guided when your dog was young and you brought it home. If your dog goes up on the couch and you allow it, several things happen. You give them a high […]