Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Profiles.
Hooked on island life… BY OLIVIA CAMERON- At the age of 22, Lily Taylor has already landed a position as the executive director of the Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce. This full-time Florida girl is eager to bring the community together over something we all have in common – our love for Gasparilla Island.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.
STAFF REPORT – The death of a man whose body was found at the water’s edge in Stump Pass Park in Englewood on Friday, July 31 has been ruled as a suicide. The call came in around 12:19 p.m. on Friday by boaters in the area. Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes and the Crime Scene Unit conducted the investigation. Several witnesses reported watching […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community History.
SUBMITTED BY THE BOCA GRANDE HISTORICAL SOCIETY – A November 1978 article in the St Petersburg Times announced the creation of a new development on Gasparilla Island, to be called the Boca Grande Club. The original investors in the project were Harper Sibley, who developed the Ocean Reef Club on Key Largo; Wilber H. (Bud) Cole, a founder of Punta Gorda Isles Inc.; Louis […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Lee Board of County Commissioners today authorized the next round of LeeCARES programs to assist individuals, families and businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board approved plans to: • Launch Round 2 of LeeCares Assistance for individuals and families providing for broader eligibility and increased award amounts up to $3,000 […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
STAFF REPORT – It was a good showing for the Boca Beacon team at the Florida Press Association’s Better Weekly Newspaper Awards on Friday, July 31, with the virtual presentation announcing 13 awards that went to the island’s hard-working newshounds. This year the awards were even sweeter, as it was a record number of entries […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MISTY NICHOLS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GICIA – The GICIA’s Mercabo Cove Project is showing signs of progress. Construction firm TSI Disaster Recovery along with Project Engineer and Manager, Hans Wilson of HWA, are keeping the project on schedule. At this time construction continues, but once the hardscape is complete the planting of native plants and grasses will begin. The final phase of the […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON – A day in retail is rewarding when a customer finds the perfect pair of jeans. Fabrics of all shades and textures can be combined to create a unique style that reflects someone’s personality, whether that represents their morning demeanor or the expectations they set for themselves. Whichever way they dress to impress, Aqua Boutique Manager Ashli Price has […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News, Obituaries.
Carol Clark Compton, 86, passed away peacefully after a long illness on July 29, 2020. She was living in Chandler, Arizona. Carol was born on December 4, 1933 in Chicago, Ill. to George and Lucille Clark. Her parents were Assembly of God pastors who served several churches in the Chicago area. In 1946 the family moved first to El Salvador and then to Guatemala to do […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
STAFF REPORT- The tropics have become very active this year, and the first storm that looks as though it could be a threat to us is a potential tropical cyclone churning its way toward Florida the Atlantic Ocean.
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Featured News, News.
BY OLIVIA CAMERON- On the road that spans from the north end of the island, service trucks and equipment have cut the coastal view short. Just off the Boca Grande Causeway Bridge, equipment and cones have lined the road while multiple workers operate machinery in the heat. The construction has been said to improve Little […]