Skip to main content
Search Results for “rid

Charlotte County’s closed fishing piers are un-sung assets

Last week, the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners, in a post-Hurricane Milton meeting, discussed the status of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier and the Placida Fishing Pier, both currently closed. Like Lee County’s beaches and our state parks, much of the area’s park infrastructure is closed, damaged and in need of restoration. (See story on […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Ken Lindow

Sitting in his rocking chair and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have to wait. Dr. Ken Lindow Sr. is now the interim pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande. He was born in Wisconsin, moved to Oregon, and then back to Wisconsin. He went to school in Minnesota and did his […]

Disaster Fund now at $1.5 million with $3 million goal for biz recovery plan

Fund still taking donations An island Disaster Fund set up to help local businesses and institutions recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton has raised over $1.5 million in just a few weeks. “We still have a goal of $3 million,” said co-organizer Larry Hannah, of Lighthouse United Methodist Church, which is administering the fund. “We […]

Maine arrest for suspect in Scarpa’s check theft case

Restaurant missing over $100,000 in funds On Sunday, Oct. 13, Teresa J. Lessa, 50, of North Port was arrested at Bangor International Airport in Maine, after the Bangor Police Department was informed she was a passenger on an inbound plane, according to Sgt. Jason McAmbley, Public Information Officer for the Bangor Police Department. Lessa was […]

Andrew Ireland 1930 – 2024

Andrew Poysell Ireland (Andy), a former U.S. Member of Congress from Florida, banking executive, and beloved community leader, passed away peacefully at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota, Florida, at age 94. Born August 23, 1930, Andy grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Ellsworth Frederick and Dorothy Poysell Ireland. He attended Cincinnati Country […]

Dr. Richard Farrior 1925 – 2024

Richard Thomas Farrior, M.D., passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on October 13, 2024 – three months shy of his 100th birthday. His wife Betty Bodkin Farrior, parents Joseph Brown Farrior and Evelyn Searcy Farrior, and his six siblings preceded him in death. Dr. Farrior, a true Tampa native, was born in […]

A big Milton shift-er-oo for so many island institutions

The Beacon continues to receive calls about what is where, what will happen when, and when so-and-so will open. So much is, as they say, up in the air. Of note:  • The Boca Grande Post Office is in Placida.  • The Island School is in Rotonda.  • First Baptist Church is at St. Andrew’s.  […]

Grande Chorus finds Christmas concert home

The Grande Chorus is planning to proceed with its Christmas concert with regular members and would like to invite others to join. Because of the closure of the Community Center, practices will take place at St. Andrew’s. Practice sessions will begin Friday, Nov. 15, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s, and will continue […]

Damage to Fust Library: Tale of two storms at the historic building

BY BOBBIE MARQUIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Before describing Hurricane Milton’s impact on the library, we must say that this is the second storm story to come out of the Johann Fust Library Foundation in the past month. Both are tales of regular people doing […]