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PROFILE: Sarah McDonald

Sitting in the middle of Sarah McDonald’s coffee table is a fascinating turtle sculpture, carved to look as if it was emerging from the water. One cheerio was also sitting on the table, placed carefully under its mouth. “Don’t touch the cheerio,” said Sarah with a laugh. “My grandchild left it there and I just […]

As faculty, directors decide to allow ‘opt-out’ masking to continue, first case of COVID reported at TIS

Two new updates developed over the Labor Day weekend for Island School students, parents and faculty, after a somewhat controversial week preceding. Not only did the faculty and board of directors of the school decide to stick with the original mandate to allow parents to opt their children out of wearing masks in school, the […]

Is it red tide … or something else?

Submitted by the Boca Grande Health Clinic Like allergies or the flu, red tide ebbs and flows with the season. And when it’s present along the coast and blown onshore, it can cause a variety of cold or flu-like symptoms in many – especially those with any kind of breathing condition. This includes people with […]

PROFILE: Capt. Tater Spinks

Mary calls him “My Salty Dog Redneck Fisherman.” It’s an affectionate nickname that only a wife could get away with calling a husband of 40 years. That fisherman is John “Tater Spinks, better known as “Captain Tater.” Colorful nicknames started young for John when a couple of his older sisters started to call him Tater. […]

Captains For Clean Water sits down with the Boca Beacon about Everglades restoration, USACE and clean water

With record-breaking deaths of the manatee, red tide, Piney Point and the Lake Okeechobee debate, organizations like Captains for Clean Water are moving front and center. As citizens not only search for answers but for ways to make their voices heard, Captains for Clean Water seeks to give a voice to the general public. “We […]

Fred was a dud, Grace got lost … what’s next?

While Fred came and went with a whimper, and Tropical Storm Grace turned into Hurricane Grace but decided to visit Mexico, Gasparilla Island has received more rain from afternoon thunderstorms than from any of the named storms. Grace strengthened to a hurricane Wednesday on its way toward Mexico, where it could make landfall and soak […]

PROFILE: Laquanda Dixon

On a sunny August morning in Boca Grande Laquanda Dixon took a short break to sit out by the fountain and answer a few questions about her work at the Boca Grande Health Clinic, her ties to the island, and even a debate about a “q.” “Laquanda is spelled with a lowercase ‘Q,’ even though […]