Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
While a new parking plan is under consideration by Lee County, what is not defined in the ordinance is how much these permits will cost for island residents, homeowners and workers. A new parking draft ordinance presented June 17 for Gasparilla Island would have a tiered plan for residents, hotel guests, house guests and island […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
A $1.5 million appropriations request for a Boca Grande Fire Control District ladder truck replacement was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, June 30. “We are disappointed,” said Chief C.W. Blosser, reached Tuesday. “We had to get that signature, and we didn’t get it.” Last week, the item overwhelmingly passed in both the House […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Above, the causeway from the days following Hurricane Milton. GIBA Photo The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will begin its causeway armoring project in July, and is expected to be completed by mid-November. “This summer will be a busy one for GIBA,” wrote Executive Director Kathy Banson in a statement to the Beacon. “While we recover […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Profiles.
A Boca Grande family celebrates This week, the large extended Forristall family gathered at their cottage on Gasparilla Road. They are one of the many regulars in the Fourth of July parade. They first started coming to the island in 1989. They would stay at the Anchor Inn, or wherever they could find a rental. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Charlotte County Parks & Natural Resources are accepting artwork beginning July 1 for “Lights Out for Sea Turtles,” a campaign designed to raise awareness around sea turtle education and conservation. The chosen artwork will be featured on educational materials for the 2026 sea turtle nesting season. Submissions can be dropped off at or mailed […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
We have a challenge to deal with; dolphin have mastered welfare. Dolphins, aka Flipper, have developed into a significant problem; they have become dependent on us to fish for them. We exhaust the fish, and they enjoy the easy meals. It started decades ago. The first encounters I remember were back in the eighties. They […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
This Fourth of July we are in a countdown to July 4, 2026 – our nation’s 250th. Is it a semiquincentennial or a sestercentennial? Bicentennial, in 1976, was a lot easier to say. In 1976, there was a wave of patriotism that came seemingly out of nowhere to bring the nation together after the divisions […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns.
■BY HARRY KALAJIAN Quality time with your dog is either a leisure time or a training period. When you are in leisure time, meaning no training, make sure not to leave the training equipment on the dog. Although there are many types of equipment available, only a handful will work. The equipment you need will […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Hold on, my friends,to the Constitutionand the republic for which it stands. Miracles do nut cluster,and what happened once in 6,000 years,may not happen again.Hold on to the Constition,for if the American Constition should fail,there will be anarchy throughout the world.” Daniel Webster, American lawyer, orator and statesman in the 19th century. He served as […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Police & Fire, Uncategorized.
A Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater aircrew rescued 2 children and 3 adults, today after their 28-foot vessel became disabled, 30 miles west of Sanibel Island. No injuries were reported. The Air Station Clearwater MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter aircrew located the boaters aboard their disabled vessel in 1 to 2-foot seas and 5-7 knot winds around […]