Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
Barrier Island Parks Society has set the date for the return of the Light Keeper’s Open, a charity golf tournament taking place at the Coral Creek Club on November 3. Proceeds will support the ongoing preservation of the iconic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse. The 2025 Light Keeper’s Open invites golfers of all skill levels to participate in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
A new web petition effort supports keeping Boca Grande parking open to the public. At a recent county meeting, supporters of a change to parking regulations presented their own petition of over 1,000 names to county commissioners on June 17. The link to that petition effort is below. The new public petition reads, “Boca Grande’s […]
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 News, Real Estate.
Lee County Property Appraiser Matt Caldwell has released the July 1 tax roll values. The release of the tax roll values starts the process that allows jurisdictions and other taxing authorities to hold public hearings and set proposed ad valorem tax rates that will apply to property in Lee County. Caldwell reminds everyone that the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is preparing to implement a new law aimed at strengthening vessel accountability and enhancing protections for Florida’s waterways. Senate Bill 164, signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on June 19, went into effect on July 1. This legislation is designed to help reduce the number of […]
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 Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
In Florida, possession of live queen conch at any time is prohibited, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. All harvest of the Bahama starfish is also illegal. In Lee County, you may not harvest or possess any shells that contain a live organism except for oysters, hard clams (quahogs), sunray venus clams and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Friends of Boca Grande announced the appointment of Martina Long as their new program director this Monday. Long has a wealth of experience in the nonprofit sector and an extensive background in both event management and the performing arts. Prior to joining Friends of Boca Grande, she served as operations manager for United Arts Collier, […]