Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAM WATTS, NANCY LECKERLING, JON LECKERLING AND MARK HORAN Since the last reporting in the February 2, 2024 Boca Beacon, the Friends of Tennis Committee, led by Cam Watts, Nancy and Jon Leckerling and Mark Horan met and conferred considering the next steps to bring two matters to the Lee County Board of Commissioners, […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News.
A proposed apartment building set to be located behind Cape Haze Plaza, appears to be stalled as a development. In 2022 before Hurricane Ian, a 108-unit multi-family housing project was in the planning stages. The nine-acre property had been proposed to the county as “Cape Haze Multi-family Property” and originally submitted May 26, 2022. It […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
After several weeks of meetings and planning, Lee County Commissioner Kevin Ruane, on behalf of the county, met with several island tennis advocates, agreeing to keep the two tennis courts on Wheeler Road. Commissioners will move forward with a plan to resurface and upgrade lighting on the two tennis courts while beginning the process of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
Sheriff’s office had held off on adopting Motorola recorders As a result of a county-wide purchase of bodycams from Motorola, Lee County deputies on Gasparilla Island are now wearing body cams. That necessarily includes the officers here in Boca Grande. “By policy, deputies will record when responding to all calls for service and during all […]
Written by Scott Cotherman on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
Hang around the first tee at any golf club and you will hear foursomes pair off for friendly games of wager. This includes the exchange of player handicaps which, thanks to advancements to the World Handicap System, change daily. Soon after, you might see a player direct golf’s most dreaded slur at his opponent: sandbagger. […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
BY CAPT. SANDY MELVIN Last week was a good one for big speckled trout in the backcountry. We also saw some nice redfish scattered around as well. On these warmer days, we saw some big snook that began cruising the shallow grass flats moving into the islands. They haven’t been biting very well, but It […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead, American cultural anthropologist and author It’s that time again when Eco Watch has been faced with many eco issues that sad to say, mostly had bad news in the past. […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
There is something special about Garth Bailey. It only takes a few minutes talking to him to know what it is. He is unabashedly in love with the Lord. Garth is from Ocho Rios, Jamaica, but lives and works in Boca Grande during the season. He works as a server for The Gasparilla Inn and […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community History.
BY GINGER WATKINS Editor’s Note: At her last meeting as chairman last month, outgoing GIBA Chairman Ginger Watkins assembled facts and history about the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority. We have presented here a brief excerpt for Beacon readers who wish to know more about the “early years” from 1996 on. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, communications for Cape Haze and Boca Grande went back to the pre-Flintstones era. That might sound extreme. It is not, as Barney and Fred had dial phones with animal horns, and TVs with actual rabbit ears on top. The power was out, as was the internet and phone service. […]