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This date in the Boca Beacon

FIVE YEARS AGO A Port Charlotte youth visiting with a church group drowned at the south end of the island. In another scenario, two lives were saved from drowning when beachgoers formed a human chain (with some help from a pool noodle) out into the water. This incident occurred in the same spot where the […]

REMEMBRANCES: America in 1962, when the world almost ended

In the U.S., rumors were spreading that the Soviets were doing something in that island nation just 90 miles from our shores. But what? We had been sending U.S. Air Force U-2 spy planes over Cuba since the end of the failed Bay of Pigs mission, but the flights had been halted on September 10 due to highly publicized U-2 incidents elsewhere around the globe. When ground-based intelligence pointed to offensive missile sites, the overflights were reinstated on October 9, and on October 14, photographic evidence was gathered that the Soviets were indeed constructing medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic missile launchers there. After verification by CIA specialists on October 15, the President was notified of their findings on October 16.

ASK-A-DOC: Beat the heat – with summer in full swing, here are some ways to keep your cool

Make sure you’re getting in the water your body needs, which is likely to be more than what you need in other seasons. Our bodies try to cool down through the natural process of sweating, which can cause dehydration. This makes it essential to drink more water, especially if you’re working or exercising outdoors. Interestingly, CDC studies show that among U.S. adults, plain water intake is significantly lower in older adults.

The tarpon are here … where are all y’all anglers?

Right now the amount of tarpon in Boca Grande Pass is prolific, according to many local captains, but when you look out on the water, you’ll often see only two or three boats. While it’s a good thing that the tarpon population gets a rest after a busy season, there are still people who make their living guiding on the water and are ready to take clients out – and the tarpon are ready to be caught and put up a fight.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Beacon writer Sheila Evans is always looking for the next adventure

“Peace Corps was wonderful to me, getting me home, handling my belongings and offering any other help I might need,” she recalled. “The day before my mother became sick, my father was diagnosed with kidney cancer and was scheduled for surgery. The operation was done three weeks after my mom’s funeral, and Dad died during surgery. They had been a couple since they were about 16 years old and had been married for 56 years. It was a blessing for them not to live too long without one another, but it was devastating to us, their children.” 

EDITORIAL: NOAA releases proposal to restore protected Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

The Restoration Blueprint describes proposed changes to boundaries and regulations, both sanctuary-wide and within specific marine zones. It also includes a draft revised management plan, last revised in 2007, that contains a suite of non-regulatory goals and objectives that will help the sanctuary respond to challenges from changing conditions, use patterns and emerging threats to sanctuary resources.

EDITORIAL: Joint statement from the Florida Secretary of State and Florida Supervisor of Elections in response to cybersecurity and infrastructure concerns

Submitted by the Florida Department of Elections Recently, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) issued an advisory confirming that Florida is well ahead of the nation on election cybersecurity. The report calls attention to “vulnerabilities” and a voting system version that is neither used nor certified for use in Florida. The report references Dominion […]

Island roads, south bike path undergoing repairs

The roadwork scheduled for Boca Grande has begun. In April the Lee County Department of Transportation approved a plan on behalf of Lee County commissioners that partners the county with Ajax Paving Industries of Florida, LLC in resurfacing Boca Grande roads.