Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT A proposed minimum-wake zone expansion that began as an effort by a small group of homeowners has passed its first major hurdle. The Charlotte County Marine Advisory Committee heard presentations over the last two months from the public representing homeowners in Boca Grande North and in houses along Gulf Shores Drive, as […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Featured News.
BY JACK SHORT An item stricken from the 2015-2016 Florida budget that would have sent $1 million to the Gasparilla Island State Park contained little information about how the money would have been used, other than that it was marked for “the assessment and evaluation” of lands for purchase inside the optimum park boundary. No […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT Bill Caldwell remembers him as a straight-laced, hard-working fisherman, not as a smuggler and international fugitive. The Tampa Bay Times recently broke a story about a man who died in a traffic accident in Australia, and was revealed to be Ray Stansel, wanted for smuggling marijuana into Florida during the 70s. Stansel […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) encourages everyone to have a safe 4th of July celebration this year. Undoubtedly, there will be increased usage of the GICIA Bike Path over the holiday weekend. In its ongoing efforts to maintain a safe path for all users, the GICIA has coordinated with the Lee County […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium will dive into the science behind some of the ocean’s most fascinating fishes during this year’s Shark Days at Mote with “Real Sharks, Real Science,” a family-friendly celebration from Monday through Saturday, August 10 through 15. The shark-tastic fun kicks off Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 10, 11 and 12 […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
The 4th of July is not a time of celebration for our pets. If they could read calendars they would be packing up to leave about now. The fireworks that many people find so thrilling can drive pets, especially dogs, into a state of panic. Explosions from fireworks can often be felt and heard for […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
The second annual Sarasota Lionfish Derby is an exciting and environmentally beneficial event that invites SCUBA divers and snorkelers to compete to collect as many lionfish as possible in an effort to control the spread of this invasive species. The derby will be hosted by Mote Marine Laboratory, a world-class marine science institution, in cooperation […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Ann Louise Arehart, born July 13, 1925, died at home on June 27, 2015 at age 89 after a long illness. Ann was born in Birmingham, AL to Robert and Irene Breedlove. She was raised in Kansas City, MO, where she met the love of her life, George Landis Arehart, at age 16. Ann and […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s 25th Annual Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament had a successful outcome with a field of 38 boats and 18 total tarpon released, double the amount of tarpon released in 2014. Brendan Coudal designed the 2015 Ladies Day logo and the tournament art again this year. A […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: It is only a few days until the beginning of the July 4th weekend, so here are some things to bear in mind to help make it a safer and perhaps less stressful holiday. FireworksIn the State of Florida, the private use of fireworks is considered illegal. “Fireworks” that are illegal include […]