Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
ee coThe Lee Board of County Commissioners voted last week to award a nearly $39.2 contract to nourish beaches on Lovers Key and Bonita Beach to address chronic erosion and damage caused by Hurricane Ian in September 2022. The main project consists of 1.1 miles of shoreline within Lovers Key State Park and 0.8 miles […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY EMERSON WICKWIRE I applaud the Beacon, serving both as a community platform for ideas to identify and resolve community issues, as well as a central source of information on issue background and facts. I have followed the surge of Beacon letters commenting not just on our ever-present parking issues, but also on the pending […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles, Society.
Once someone meets Caroline Farrington, they are unlikely to forget her. She has the smile, the flair, the looks and, yes, the accent, that make her virtually unforgettable. She comes by all these attributes quite honestly, as a woman who has seen the world, taken the best of it and made a comfortable, low-key living […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY KAREN GRACE The late Capt. Fred Futch once said that although many people say the biggest change to the island came from the building of the bridge, he thought it was the formation of the water company that was the greatest impetus for the development that followed. Before 1968 and the Gasparilla Island Water […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY Marine pollution is an increasing threat to the overall health of Florida. It makes a negative impact in many ways, and it comes from many sources. Many types of marine pollution are caused by human activity. Identifying threats and being proactive can help protect and preserve Florida’s ecosystems for […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters. The Boca Grande Fire Department is attempting to reduce this risk by raising money for new turnout gear that is free from “forever chemicals” linked to cancer. Most current firefighting gear contains measurable amounts of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS. The Boca Grande Fire Department has now […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Two of the most discussed amendments to the Florida Constitution this November include a ballot initiative on marijuana, Amendment 3, and a ballot initiative on abortion, Amendment 4. This is the second article in a three-part backgrounder on the state constitutional amendments on the ballot in November’s general election. Both potential amendments were initiated outside […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Before Hurricane Helene, some beachgoers have had questions about the color of the water, which, even on the Gulf of Mexico side of the island, was the light brownish color of a cypress swamp. “Water-wise, we are still experiencing a tremendous amount of rain inland that is causing storm water runoff and hence the tannins […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Vote-by-Mail ballots are being sent out in the next week; a national post office expert advises voters worried about their safety to mail early, and use tracking services. Beginning on Thursday, Sept. 26, Vote-by-Mail ballots are being sent to domestic voters who have requested them. While the deadline to return Vote-by-Mail ballots is before 7 […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
This Sunday, Pastor Gary Beatty will preach his last message at First Baptist Church in Boca Grande. Beatty announced his retirement last Sunday. “God’s been good to me,” said Beatty. “The island’s been good to me. People have been good to me.” He came to the church in 2000. His wife Betty knew from the […]