Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
In the early 1970s, a group of island residents came together with a mission to preserve the charm, character, and traditions of Gasparilla Island. They formed the GICIA in 1971, marking the beginning of a grassroots effort to preserve island life. With the assistance of Lee County Commissioners and State representatives, the GICIA successfully secured […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
Cape Coral to WINK to Commissioner Lee County Commissioner Brian Hamman is proud of his heritage as a native of Lee County. His parents both came to the area as children, and so he counts himself as a “quasi-second-generation Lee Countian.” Brian has served as District 4 Commissioner since 2013, when he was appointed by […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
On Sunday, June 22, there was an electrical fire at the Boca Bay Pass Club. “The underground electrical system shorted out which created a chain reaction that ultimately caused the electrical panel to catch on fire,” Boca Grande Fire Department Chief C.W. Blosser said. The fire suppression sprinkler system put out the fire in the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Real Estate, Sports & Outdoors.
Currently, there are three major marina projects on the table on Gasparilla Island and in Cape Haze, and there are no listed buyers or partners yet. The most notable is Eldred’s, which has been formally on the market since early 2024. Eldred’s was listed in March 2024 for a reported $40 million asking price. It […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Last Thursday, Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce released a new visitor survey called “Off Island Visitors.” It comes in the wake of a new ordinance that would restrict parking on the island to two hours for shoppers and restaurant patrons while eliminating beach parking for day-trippers except for Gasparilla Island State Parks. “It was […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Sports & Outdoors.
Sally J ends Tournament Season BY BETSY FUGATE JOINER It only took a minute to catch the excitement of friends and families coming together at Scarpa’s Coastal Friday night, Ladies Night Out! A full evening of fun, tables full of exciting raffle prizes, plus a delicious abundance of canapés served and donated by Scarpa’s Coastal. […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: My name is Tina Dodge. My family and I have been vacationing in Boca Grande since I was a young child. Some of my greatest memories are in Boca Grande. My parents started out just renting the old Anchor Inn when the ball field was near and we would light fireworks there, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The Resilient Florida Program invites prospective speakers to present on flood resilience topics at the upcoming Quarterly Resilience Forum, scheduled for Aug. 6, 2025. The forum provides an opportunity to share project updates, introduce new resources and, most importantly, connect and collaborate with other resilience professionals. Attendees include consultants; staff from city, county, state and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Just in time for our nation’s 250th Birthday, Walt Disney World will close its Tom Sawyer Island and its companion Liberty Square Riverboat on July 6. The boat, waterway and island will disappear in favor of a Cars-themed attraction. The shuttering and destruction of a Florida theme park ride is not normally of note in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO Fifty-four percent of Lee County had participated in the census. For the first time the census was available on-line. TEN YEARS AGO The Native Now Foundation was selling Indian tacos as a fundraiser for the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation next to Hudson’s. FIFTEEN YEARS AGO Megan Clementi, the current Miss Florida, came […]