Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, Police & Fire, Uncategorized.
Lee County today sent an update to the Beacon and the community today to tell of post-Hurricane Helene efforts in Boca Grande. A few departmental updates for residents from the public information office: Lee Department of Transportation The department was in Boca Grande on Friday to assess the situation: Solid Waste Community Development The department […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Police & Fire, Uncategorized.
On Saturday, Lee County staff brought two giant water pumps to clear standing water off of Gasparilla Boulevard. The pumps worked all night. This Sunday morning, they appear to have drawn down the sewage-laced water on Gasparilla Road. It is hoped that the road will be soon passable in a normal car, but right now, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
This was updated Monday, Sept. 30, and newer stories. Information on sand and debris is now available here. After surveying across Gasparilla Island, it appears that at absolute minimum, dozens of houses have been severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, and many more with substantial damage. In town, many businesses, including Hudson’s and Fugutes, were flooded. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News, Uncategorized.
Recovery efforts are underway in response to Hurricane Helene in Charlotte County. Clearing and removing storm debris is a major part of the recovery effort. Charlotte County Public Works asks for residents’ cooperation to properly separate storm debris by category and adhere to the collection guidelines. It is the property owners’ responsibility to bring the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
The Boca Grande Post Office is temporarily closed until officials can assess and clean up any damage from Hurricane Helene. “We will go out there tomorrow (Monday) to see if there is any damage,” said Kellie Harris, acting postmaster of Placida. The Beacon reached her by phone today. She said that all the mail and […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News.
Currently all 20 lift stations are working on the island, and every lift station has power. However, the system is filled with seepage of sea water and rain, and Gasparilla Island Water Authority will be working all of today and tomorrow to clear out the system. The treatment plant continued to work and was not […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Last week, after a visit to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, a reader asked the Beacon what you had to do to speak at a Lee County meeting if you have concerns. The answer is simple. You need to drive to Ft. Myers, attend the meeting and speak. If you are addressing an […]
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 Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
Some recent re-openings around neighboring islands. Two years after Hurricane Ian, businesses across Boca Grande Pass are still coming back online: Captiva: Captiva Island Inn has reopened on Andy Rosse Lane in the heart of Captiva Village. Pine Island: One of the oldest restaurants here, the Waterfront Restaurant and Marina has reopened in St. James […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
Lee County Emergency Management is actively monitoring the tropics and working closely with state and federal partners, including the Florida Division of Emergency Management, the National Weather Service, and the National Hurricane Center. With heightened tropical activity, it is important for residents to take steps to prepare as we move through the remainder of this […]