Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Christian radio station WSEB 91.3 FM, that giant tower in Cape Haze, was off air after recent hurricanes. Their difficult month started with a rowdy hive of honeybees that moved into the tower, at the same time the air conditioner stopped working. With the AC not working the transmitter shut down, as it was over […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Many of the private clubs on island have not yet set dates to reopen following Hurricane Milton; however, progress is being made every day. The Boca Grande Club got water back on Monday, Oct. 21, said Yvonne Anderson, president of the club. “I think we will open pretty soon when water becomes stable,” she said. […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Whenever there’s human devastation, there’s animal devastation. If people can’t get out, animals can’t get out!” Sierra Club, Environmental Organization The extreme effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton will not be fully known for quite some time. Officials are still searching for survivors and the deceased in many areas, and the figures are expected to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
Toll collections at the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority will resume at midnight tonight, Weds. Oct. 23, 2024. A reminder: Also, GIBA has placed a sign on the Causeway letting the public know that the beaches are closed until further notice. The Lee County Sheriff is going to continue the Hurricane Tag checkpoint at the county […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Following the destruction from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, several island businesses have set up fundraisers to help with recovery. Click the links below to visit each individual campaign. If you own or know of a business in Boca Grande with a verified fundraiser that is not included below, send the link to aridilla@bocabeacon.com
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
Gasparilla Island Water Association has about 95 percent of the island’s water connections back in service. “We are getting to the nitty gritty,” said Ron Bolton, GIWA’s executive director, who said that less than 120 units are without water and/or sewer. In a Monday email to the board, he said that most of the lift […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Marjorie Katz Fortgang died peacefully on October 5, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home on the island of Boca Grande, Florida. She was 91. Marjorie was born on July 28, 1933, in Longmeadow,Massachusetts, the first daughter of Abraham andIrene Katz. She and her younger sister, June, were best friends who enjoyed a long life full of fun and adventure, bravely supporting […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Profiles.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly came to Boca Grande to help local businesses ruined by Hurricane Milton. The Beacon discussed the importance of small businesses to not only each local economy, but overall tourism. While here, he saw damage from Milton and Helene, and toured Hudson’s, Scarpas, Key Lime Bistro, […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
Day by day Hurricane Milton recovery on Gasparilla Hurricane Milton was the third hurricane landfall in Florida this year after Debby and then Helene less than two weeks prior. Below is an approximate timeline of Milton’s impacts on Gasparilla Island throughout the week, gathered from Beacon reporting, local weather stations and Gasparilla Island Conservation and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources. Loans made under this […]