Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
In 1612, the English writer Henry Peacham wrote about the dolphin in the book “Minerva Britanna.” The book, quite forgotten, is filled with anagrams and codes, all set in an environment of Elizabethan mysteries and fairy magic. Think airport soduku book of the Shakespeare era, with illustrations and poetry. One poem is about the friendly […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
Editor’s Note: In recent weeks, the Boca Beacon has been releasing documents from a Public Records Request from Lee County. These are not new documents, but merely draft discussion points and documents relating to parking on Gasparilla Island from officials in Lee County. All documents and reporting are online at bocabeacon.com/parking. A draft code change […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
A new crosswalk at the Range Light, mid-island, will help visitors to the historic tower during the tourist season. “It gets really busy,” said Sharon McKenzie, executive director of Barrier Island Parks Society, which operates the Range Light, and opens it in the cooler season. As part of Lee County Tourist Development grants, BIPS was […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
Hudson’s Grocery, lunch at Temp part of daily island visits To the Editor: We have been vacationing on the island since the early ‘90s spending an enjoyable week or two with our family and have always felt comfortable and welcomed there. When I retired from my medical practice in 2016, we began renting for two […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
A power boat sank just off the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority swing bridge on Saturday, from a reported collision. Lee EMS released a “watercraft in distress” and “collision” bulletin that reported a “sinking vessel, now completely submerged, one subject still in water, multiple children reported to have been on board, 4-5 people, unknown how many […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Entertainment, Events, Featured News, News.
Are you ready for an exciting outdoor adventure that combines history, technology and community? Join us for the Parks on the Air event, an international radiosport award program that invites licensed amateur radio operators to explore and operate portable equipment in parks and public lands, all while respecting the environment and fellow park visitors. This […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire, Sports & Outdoors.
In the most recent regional report by Florida Fish and Wildlife, they listed enforcement actions in the July 11, 2024 report: Wildlife: Officers Lejarzar and Hardgrove were on patrol when they observed a vessel fishing within the boundaries of a closed critical wildlife area. The island was covered with nesting birds. It was also determined […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Education, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Electronics at outdoors-geared boarding school Gator Wilderness Camp School in Punta Gorda is a residential Christian program for boys ages 11-15 with behavioral issues. Typically, the staff at the camp are contacted by families who have sons that need extra help that they cannot provide themselves, said Melissa Bergey, who is a family worker for […]
Written by VAN HUBBARD on . Posted in Columns, Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY VAN HUBBARD I understand that with our increased numbers fishing will not be as easy ever again. Millions of new participants, fewer fish and numerous regulations, plus habitat devastation all add to my challenges. Also, increased turbidity from boat wakes prevents crucial sunlight from reaching the seagrasses and reduces our sight fishing. I’m considering […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors, Uncategorized.
Genetics studies confirmed what many anglers and biologists have believed for a long time. Florida’s most popular freshwater game fish has a new name. The American Fisheries Society established the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass. This means that in most of Florida (except the western Panhandle) what was known as […]