Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
Glenn Scarpa of Scarpa’s Coastal was recently interviewed by Bloomberg Wall Street Week for a feature on insurance costs in Florida and across the United States. Reached last week, Scarpa said he was not sure how they had found him for the interview. The show showed the interior of Scarpa’s, and how high water had […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
Four volunteers for program agree on each situation and meet with businesses and orgs The Boca Grande Disaster Fund is now approaching $3.5 million in donations to support the recovery of the business and nonprofit community of the island. Donations will continue to be accepted until Dec. 31. The fund, which is run through Lighthouse […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
The Lee Board of County Commissioners appointed Commission Chairman Kevin Ruane as chair of the Tourist Development Council. Ruane, who is District 1 Commissioner, was named BOCC chairman on Nov. 19. He replaces TDC Chairman and Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass. Ruane was first elected to the BOCC in November 2020 after serving as the […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Friends of Boca Grande are now operating out of old marine containers for offices, as they wait for repairs to the Boca Grande Community Center, which was flooded during hurricanes Helene and Milton. The “offices” are in the parking lot of the Crowninshield House, which will be the first building renovated for use after the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Education, News.
Boca Grande Preschool’s Executive Director Kelli Carpenter and the Board of Directors are making plans to re-open the school at a temporary location. The Boca Grande community has pledged the necessary funds to rebuild the preschool, and staff expect to hear in January from the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Venice regarding the status […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
Two men were arrested for resisting an officer without violence around 11 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13 on South Harbor Drive. Gage Liam Towles and Wesley Robert Owensby, both 21, were fishing in the water at a “community dock,” along with one other man, according to the Lee County Sheriff’s report. Deputies Justin Coker and […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The damage caused by Helene and Milton in our area was unprecedented. While many communities received immediate attention and governmental support, Little Gasparilla Island has been overlooked, treated like an afterthought. Everyone here has been affected, with countless homes completely destroyed. Some of the most cherished people in my life lost everything […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Sports & Outdoors.
This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved significant investments to protect Florida’s natural resources and agricultural lands. Through the Florida Forever Program, $111 million will secure 24,113 acres of critical lands, including seven key acquisitions that will connect vital conservation areas. Additionally, $206 million was approved to preserve over 62,000 acres of […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Editorial.
Last Friday, the Good Gulf pink pump returned to Park Avenue, in front of Hudson’s Grocery. Monday, Hudson’s reopened. Thank you to the staff of Hudson’s, the Wise family, BGI Painting and so many others who worked so hard to make it happen. The amount of commerce in that small square retail footage footprint should […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.
This year marked the first Christmas lighting of the Range Light. The effort was led primarily by Gasparilla Island State Park volunteers, including Mike and Tammy Kipp of Port Charlotte. The Kipps, along with other volunteers, overcame the challenge of lighting the Range Light while also contending with the usual household Christmas light issues, such […]