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Charlotte County’s closed fishing piers are un-sung assets

Last week, the Charlotte County Board of Commissioners, in a post-Hurricane Milton meeting, discussed the status of the Boca Grande Fishing Pier and the Placida Fishing Pier, both currently closed. Like Lee County’s beaches and our state parks, much of the area’s park infrastructure is closed, damaged and in need of restoration. (See story on […]

Bette Gallagher 1929 – 2024

Bette Joan (Davis) Gallagher, 95, of Augusta, Michigan died peacefully at home on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. Bette was born July 20, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, the daughter of Charles Christopher and Mary Gertrude (Dertinger) Davis. Bette grew up in Detroit and was a 1945 graduate of Immaculata High School. She dedicated her life to […]

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Interim pastor at First Baptist Church, Ken Lindow

Sitting in his rocking chair and playing with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have to wait. Dr. Ken Lindow Sr. is now the interim pastor of the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande. He was born in Wisconsin, moved to Oregon, and then back to Wisconsin. He went to school in Minnesota and did his […]

Coral Creek Club reopened Tuesday, Oct. 29

The Coral Creek Club reopened the front nine holes and dining on Tuesday, Oct. 29 after limited damage from hurricanes.  “We were better than most,” said Coral Creek’s General Manager, Teejay Alderdice. All 18 holes will be open no later than Nov. 7, or a few days earlier. Coral Creek was supposed to open on […]

Woman’s Club donates $300K for Boca Grande Disaster Fund

In keeping with our mission, the Boca Grande Woman’s Club has made a gift of $300,000 to the Boca Grande Disaster Fund. The Club made this leadership gift to inspire others to invest in the effort to get the island’s businesses back up and running. The purpose of the Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund is […]

Maine arrest for suspect in Scarpa’s check theft case

Restaurant missing over $100,000 in funds On Sunday, Oct. 13, Teresa J. Lessa, 50, of North Port was arrested at Bangor International Airport in Maine, after the Bangor Police Department was informed she was a passenger on an inbound plane, according to Sgt. Jason McAmbley, Public Information Officer for the Bangor Police Department. Lessa was […]

Andrew Ireland 1930 – 2024

Andrew Poysell Ireland (Andy), a former U.S. Member of Congress from Florida, banking executive, and beloved community leader, passed away peacefully at The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch in Sarasota, Florida, at age 94. Born August 23, 1930, Andy grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio, the son of Ellsworth Frederick and Dorothy Poysell Ireland. He attended Cincinnati Country […]

Dr. Richard Farrior 1925 – 2024

Richard Thomas Farrior, M.D., passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home on October 13, 2024 – three months shy of his 100th birthday. His wife Betty Bodkin Farrior, parents Joseph Brown Farrior and Evelyn Searcy Farrior, and his six siblings preceded him in death. Dr. Farrior, a true Tampa native, was born in […]

A big Milton shift-er-oo for so many island institutions

The Beacon continues to receive calls about what is where, what will happen when, and when so-and-so will open. So much is, as they say, up in the air. Of note:  • The Boca Grande Post Office is in Placida.  • The Island School is in Rotonda.  • First Baptist Church is at St. Andrew’s.  […]