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Do hurricanes have anything to do with red tide? Read on

The four hurricanes that crossed the Sunshine State in August and September 2004 dumped as much as 27 inches of rain (nearly double the regular amount of rain) in central Florida. All that rain increased the amount of pollution that flowed on the earth’s surface and into rivers and the ocean (called runoff). It may also have increased the amount of groundwater (water that flows underground) because some was absorbed into the ground. These two things are thought to create conditions needed for the bloom of red tide.

Boca Grande Garden Club announces 2022-23 schedule of events

By Catherine Ballman, Boca Grande Garden Club Along with everyone and everything on Gasparilla Island, the Boca Grande Garden Club is tweaking plans for the 2022-23 season. The one certain thing in a year of great uncertainty is which members have agreed to serve on the club’s Board of Directors and Leadership Team: Gail Miller, […]

OBITUARY: Penny Griggs Doerge

Penelope Griggs Doerge, 16, daughter of Chad and Kate Doerge, sister of Henry and Frankie, died at home in Glen Cove, N.Y. surrounded by family and friends on November 10th, 2022. Penny lived a life full of purpose, passion and joy. She was a talented artist, fashionista, world traveler, social media influencer and the founder […]

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Local banks collecting Christmas gifts for those in need

To the Editor: Charlotte State Bank & Trust, Crews Bank & Trust and Englewood Bank & Trust, part of the Crews family of banks, are once again serving as collection points for donations to help brighten the holiday season for those in need. Donations will be distributed by three prominent charitable organizations.  We’re delighted to […]

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON

Boca Beacon backpages FIVE YEARS AGO The Royal Palm Players were casting rehearsals for their season opener “Duets.” TEN YEARS AGO The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority ad valorem tax referendum was voted down, 542 votes to 301. The money was to help fund the new bridge. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO State-mandated tax rollbacks took away the […]

Red tide, flesh-eating bacteria and more show up in the Ian aftermath, leaving us to wonder … say, Doc? You think that water is safe?

By Dr. Raymond James, DO, Boca Grande Health Clinic That is a good question after the storm of the century. And when might it be safe? City Water Everyone who was in Boca after the storm remembers how we all incorporated the new routine of the five-gallon bucket shuffle. We brought water from a brown […]

More manatee protection, reef devastation and red tide numbers

It is possible there will soon be another layer of protection for local manatees, as the Lee Board of County Commissioners voted this week to adopt a year-round manatee protection zone ordinance for Gasparilla Island – specifically the Boca Grande Bayou – as well as a quarter-mile area off Captiva Island and Safety Harbor, North […]

Financial assistance for a fresh start given by Disaster Relief Fund

The Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund handed out its first 23 checks to help businesses and organizations in Boca Grande recover from Hurricane Ian. The amount of the grants is not public information, but the results will be substantial, noted Larry Hannah, one of the Fund’s management committee members. “I got a lot of hugs […]