Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
With all the destruction from the two recent hurricanes, at least two of the churches on the island are feeling blessed. There was minimal damage at both Lighthouse United Methodist Church and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. First Baptist Church took a bigger hit, with water entering the church buildings. Both the Methodist and Episcopal churches […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Community, News.
BY BOBBIE MARQUIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR “It was the best of times. It was the worst of times.” Before describing Hurricane Milton’s impact on the library, we must say that this is the second storm story to come out of the Johann Fust Library Foundation in the past month. Both are tales of regular people doing […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
At approximately 10:15 a.m. on Monday, October 14th while on marked patrol in Boca Grande, Deputy Angelo Lanni responded to Jose Gaspar Drive in reference to a report of two boat motor thefts, according to the Lee County Public Information Report 24-523724. The owner of the 35-foot Sea Ray boat was out of state but […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, News.
The Christian radio station WSEB 91.3 FM, that giant tower in Cape Haze, was off air after recent hurricanes. Their difficult month started with a rowdy hive of honeybees that moved into the tower, at the same time the air conditioner stopped working. With the AC not working the transmitter shut down, as it was over […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Lee County, through our First District Commissioner Kevin Ruane, sent the Boca Beacon and the island an update on all that is going on with the restoration of Gasparilla Island, including streets, utilities and the Community Center. Below is an abridged version of some of the county’s task notes as of Tuesday, Oct. 22. Note […]
Written by Delores Savas on . Posted in Columns, Sports & Outdoors.
“Whenever there’s human devastation, there’s animal devastation. If people can’t get out, animals can’t get out!” Sierra Club, Environmental Organization The extreme effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton will not be fully known for quite some time. Officials are still searching for survivors and the deceased in many areas, and the figures are expected to […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
At the end of the day on Friday, Oct. 18, GIWA Executive Director Ron Bolton reported that approximately 60 percent of members are back in service. Sewer lift stations are also back on FPL power. The utility will also have crews here on the weekend, chasing leaks and handling other issues. This is a week […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Top row has Century Link and preparation before the storm. Other familiar views of recovery, including Glenn Scarpa in muck. The wet stack at right is a bundle of our Boca Beacon Visitor Guides. Left, Barnichol Hardware was open Monday, right on time. Photos by Caroline and Garland
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Clockwise from top, remediation trucks at The Gasparilla Inn. Right, street sweepers from Lee County are busy. Ziad & Kaz Kazbour, BubbaQue’s of Brandon, came thanks to the Faustini Family of Pavement Technology. While much of Hudson’s was flooded, they donated unspoiled drinks to anyone as a gift to the island recovery, BGI distributed with […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
Marjorie Katz Fortgang died peacefully on October 5, 2024, surrounded by her family at her home on the island of Boca Grande, Florida. She was 91. Marjorie was born on July 28, 1933, in Longmeadow,Massachusetts, the first daughter of Abraham andIrene Katz. She and her younger sister, June, were best friends who enjoyed a long life full of fun and adventure, bravely supporting […]