Written by Harry Kalajian, MDT on . Posted in Columns.
Editor’s Note: Harry Kalajian has been a local dog trainer since 2014, and a regular columnist on dog training for the Beacon. We will miss his thoughts and his optimistic attitude on training dogs. While he is leaving the area, many of his training videos are online, including a number filmed in downtown Boca Grande. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Events, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Florida Department of Environment Protection is hosting a meeting of the Blue-Green Algae Task Force at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 4. Members of the public are invited to join in person at the North Florida Research & Education Center – Suwannee Valley, or online on The Florida Channel. If joining virtually, register for the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News, Police & Fire.
Planning begins to ensure island leadership is ready for hurricanes Leaders of many island organizations gathered Monday to talk about the upcoming hurricane season and working together in the event of future emergency. The event was held at the Boca Grande Fire Department and led by Chief C.W. Blosser. The event began with a report […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Lee County Parks & Recreation, operator of the Boca Grande Community Center and operator of parks on Gasparilla Island, is asking the public to help improve its services and amenities offered by participating in a biennial needs assessment survey. The survey is available on the homepage of the Parks & Recreation website at leeparks.org and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Editorial, Opinion.
This week, the Boca Grande Quarantine Station house went on the market (see pages 16-17). One feature of the house is a working, wooden cistern. During Hurricane Ian, the tank was disconnected from gutters, but it is still in place, with an actual hose spigot at the bottom. It functions not only as a practical […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Health & Wellness.
The Boca Grande Health Clinic kicked off National Nurses Week (May 6 to 12) with a surprise presentation of giant greeting cards signed by members of the community expressing their gratitude. “It’s nice to have this week to formally recognize our nurses,” said Mark Driscoll, Boca Grande Health Clinic CEO. “But I want them to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Florida Department of Transportation is holding a public workshop for a project called the Pine Island Road Shared Use Path Feasibility Study on May 7 at Pine Island United Methodist in Bokeelia. The workshop will also be available online. This study will evaluate the feasibility of connecting the existing shared use path network and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
The issue of parking on Gasparilla Island is not a new one. Through the years, the Boca Beacon has covered the issue as locals and county officials have tried to balance competing interests. Below, a few assorted dates from 1982 on. The list below is not comprehensive; many of the recent stories are at bocabeacon.com/parking: […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab seasons in state and federal waters will close May 2, with the last day of harvest being May 1. This annual season closure is intended to increase the stone crab population and build resiliency in the fishery. Commercially harvested stone crab claws may be possessed and sold during the […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News.
The non-profit Englewood Alano Club has recently reestablished a Future/Building fund committee to raise money to purchase a building for a permanent location, as it has outgrown its usual leased space. The Alano Club, which is located on South McCall Road, is a “Recovery Oasis,” offering addiction recovery support in an alcohol and drug-free environment. […]