Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Events, News, Sports & Outdoors.
Earth Day is Monday, April 22 this year. This year’s theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” which casts a spotlight on the issue of plastic pollution. Organizers are calling for a 60-percent reduction in plastic production by 2040. Locally, there are a number of events. Cedar Point Environmental Park will have an assortment of speakers and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
When fishing for tarpon this season, be sure to use best fishing practices to keep silver kings reigning. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission consulted a number of external partners, including charter captains and Salt Strong and Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, to create a comprehensive list of best fishing practices to guide anglers looking […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Events, Sports & Outdoors.
The Basin Sailing Yacht Club held its annual “Island Championships” this past Sunday, April 14, 2024 at the Boca Bay Powerhouse lagoon. Racing conditions were great, though mixed, with a Northwest breeze followed by a Southeast breeze. The club races remote controlled Laser sailboats, which are one quarter size. Several qualifying races were run creating […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News, Police & Fire.
Charlotte County elected officials and representatives gathered at the community center on Wednesday, April 17 for a townhall meeting to discuss topics of concern submitted by Gasparilla Island citizens and organizations. The main topic of concern was a lack of mutual aid between Charlotte and Lee counties emergency response services. “This is really an opportunity […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
Tidal shelf planted with red mangroves; view will be softenend to hide seawall BY THE GASPARILLA ISLAND CONSERVATION & IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association Board of Directors recently approved a new phase of restoration for Mercabo Cove. This phase will build upon previous efforts to improve water quality, enhance habitat, reduce […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
The last months have been marked by a number of new complaints to the Boca Beacon about missing packages and returned mail at the Boca Grande Post Office. Lecia Hall, a public relations representative for the U.S.P.S. for Florida has provided the Beacon with more information regarding postal complaints. “Local management will continue to work […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Charlotte County Facilities Construction & Maintenance department has released survey results from local residents on accessibility to and from bridgeless barrier islands on the coast. Islands include Palm Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Knight Island/Thornton Key. According to the department, over 70 percent of the respondents were either satisfied or neutral with […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
The death of O.J. Simpson on April 10 in Las Vegas brought back a time when the NFL star came to Rotonda for ABC’s The Superstars. We look back at the era. Above, O.J. and Howard Cosell at the 1974 Superstars. He told host Keith Jackson after the tire obstacle race win in 1975: “The […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Entertainment, Sports & Outdoors.
There was a week in February of 1975 that the late Orenthal James Simpson was king of Rotonda and Cape Haze. The event was O.J.’s victory the ABC Superstars competition, which aired Sunday, Feb. 23, 1975 across the ABC Television Network. Twenty-five million Americans tuned into the afternoon program, which featured top sports celebrities competing […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Entertainment, Sports & Outdoors.
The first Superstars was Feb. 19-20, 1973 and aired Feb. 25 over the entire ABC network. “There are some who question its integrity as an entertainment vehicle,” said organizer Philip Bottfeld, in the 1975 program. It put Rotonda on the map, and the competition launched in Rotonda was copied across the world in places like […]