Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
BY CHIEF C.W. BLOSSER The Beacon has been putting the daily emails from Chief Blosser out on our Storm Center page at BocaBeacon.com. Chief, as folks call him, has an un-erring ability to sum it all up. We print this not only as a matter of record, but a sense of the scale of the recovery […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, News.
The Rev. Anthony Hewitt, priest of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church, has begun daily Mass at the parish’s Life Center, and for the time being will have one Mass on Sundays there, as well. The main church, rectory and Boca Grande Preschool, which is under the direction of the Catholic Diocese of Venice, are […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Education, Letters to the Editor.
Reflecting on early childhood education at the preschool BY KELLENE CARPENTER Editor’s Note: Kelli Carpenter wrote this essay for the Beacon just before Helene. The school was hurt badly in the storms but will rebuild. Over the summer, I had a conversation with a Boca Grande Preschool Board Member about characteristics of quality early-childhood programs. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
On the Saturday before Milton, this editor was at Dollar Tree in Englewood, at the Winn-Dixie shopping center. For those who do not know it, Dollar Tree almost always has UHT (ultra-high temperature) milk in those juice box containers. For reference, and for the next storm, they are on the bottom shelf in the back. […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Featured News, News.
In-person voting at Precinct 122, which typically is held at the Boca Grande Community Center will instead use the Lighthouse United Methodist Church for the Nov. 5 General Election. The Community Center, which sustained significant damage from Hurricane Helene and the Hurricane Milton, is unusable, so the Lee County Supervisor of Elections has made a […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.
An update from Gasparilla Water, and Ron Bolton, executive director. As work continues on the water main to the island on Cole Island in the Causeway, the staff continues to work to bring service back to the whole island, house by house. A reminder that there is a boil water notice for the island:
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2024) – Charlotte County bridgeless barrier islands have reopened to residents and businesses, including Palm Island and Little Gasparilla. As residents return, we urge them to exercise caution:
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.
We are sad to announce that due to Milton’s impacts, Lee County Parks and Recreation needs to cancel the Fall Festival that was to be held Oct. 25. It was to be held at the now-damaged Boca Grande Community Center that afternoon. Please help spread the word that this is canceled. Our Parks team looks […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Uncategorized.
A Tuesday, Oct. 15 evening update on the island’s recovery:
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
Editor’s Note: The staff of the Gasparilla Island Water Association has been busy since Hurricane Milton. Not only is the water service off, but the sewer system was destroyed. Residents should not flush toilets in order to avoid overloading the system. A Monday evening email report from Executive Director Ron Bolton to the GIWA board […]