Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: In the course of events, both public and private, no one person or entity can possibly take sole credit for the success or failure of any undertaking. The event is the sum of so many moving parts, and those parts require much in the way of planning and coordination. So it is […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Editorial.
SUBMITTED BY THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION Every year the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has license-free fishing days. You may have missed free saltwater fishing last weekend, but this weekend, June 13 and 14, will be license-free for freshwater fishing. Florida residents and visitors need a Florida freshwater fishing or saltwater […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT Charlotte County Fire and EMS and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office were part of the response team that may have saved a man’s life after he nearly drowned on May 25, Memorial Day, in Gasparilla Pass, north of Gasparilla Island. According to representatives of CCSO and Charlotte County EMS the victim, Chris […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
SUBMITTED BY THE GICIA The Gasparilla Island Conservation and Improvement Association (GICIA) continues its efforts to protect the beauty and charm that make Boca Grande a special place. Of course, it takes a strong membership base to maintain a growing and successful nonprofit organization. In an effort to further its’ mission the GICIA Board of […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY LEW HASTINGS Tarpon Fishing. For some it’s an old family tradition, one that goes back generations. The World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament has become a tradition in its own right. In various iterations over the past 33 years, the tournament has become known both locally and by participants from around the world as “The Big […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
If you’re anywhere near Boca Grande Pass Saturday night, don’t be surprised if you hear some odd noises. The howling will be fierce, as the Howl at the Moon Invitational Tarpon Tournament will be taking place from 8 to 11 p.m. The entry fee is $500 per team. Long time local fisherman Dave “Smitty” Smith […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
BY JACK SHORT The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority closed its swing bridge briefly to road traffic and for at least 19 hours to boat traffic beginning Sunday afternoon, according to representatives from GIBA and the United States Coast Guard. During an opening at 4:45 p.m. on May 24, the bridge tender noticed that wedges which […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.
BY MARCY SHORTUSE Island sea turtle patrollers were full of excitement on Thursday, May 28 when they realized they had their first confirmed green turtle nest on Gasparilla Island. “We’ve got a green!” was the post on Facebook by the Boca Grande Sea Turtle Association. They noted the green turtle’s “enthusiastic nesting style,” and said, […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in News.
Shown in the two accompanying charts, mid-year tourist tax collections for Lee County (through March) have already surpassed FY10/11’s, not including late payments for that year. Lee County Tourism Development Council Director Tamara Pigott, collections for this fiscal year have already surpassed last year’s (for the same months) by nearly 16 percent. Information compiled […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Editorial, Featured News, News.
BY CARROLL SWAYZE Excitement is brewing as anglers and artists alike prepare for the 2015 Tarpon Festival in downtown Boca Grande on June 4 through 6. Each year thousands of people travel to the Englewood/Boca Grande community from all over the world to take part in this annual Tarpon Fishing Tournament and Festival. The week […]