Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Editorial.
Last week, after a visit to the Lee County Board of County Commissioners, a reader asked the Beacon what you had to do to speak at a Lee County meeting if you have concerns. The answer is simple. You need to drive to Ft. Myers, attend the meeting and speak. If you are addressing an […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Community, Letters to the Editor.
BY EMERSON WICKWIRE I applaud the Beacon, serving both as a community platform for ideas to identify and resolve community issues, as well as a central source of information on issue background and facts. I have followed the surge of Beacon letters commenting not just on our ever-present parking issues, but also on the pending […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles, Society.
Once someone meets Caroline Farrington, they are unlikely to forget her. She has the smile, the flair, the looks and, yes, the accent, that make her virtually unforgettable. She comes by all these attributes quite honestly, as a woman who has seen the world, taken the best of it and made a comfortable, low-key living […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
And then there were ten. Yes, the BGSTA turtle patrollers are down to the last ten incubating nests on the island. Eight loggerhead and two green turtle nests. The last observed hatch was weeks ago on September 8th, but there is still hope that at least a couple of the remaining nests, especially those that […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
BY KAREN GRACE The late Capt. Fred Futch once said that although many people say the biggest change to the island came from the building of the bridge, he thought it was the formation of the water company that was the greatest impetus for the development that followed. Before 1968 and the Gasparilla Island Water […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY Marine pollution is an increasing threat to the overall health of Florida. It makes a negative impact in many ways, and it comes from many sources. Many types of marine pollution are caused by human activity. Identifying threats and being proactive can help protect and preserve Florida’s ecosystems for […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
On September 5, the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association held their Annual Meeting, and discussed the future of the organization. “Systems need to be put in place for the future to ensure that our fishing industry and heritage are preserved, and that’s just what we’re going to do,” said Capt. Christopher Taylor, the newly elected […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
Cancer is a leading cause of death among firefighters. The Boca Grande Fire Department is attempting to reduce this risk by raising money for new turnout gear that is free from “forever chemicals” linked to cancer. Most current firefighting gear contains measurable amounts of Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, or PFAS. The Boca Grande Fire Department has now […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Two of the most discussed amendments to the Florida Constitution this November include a ballot initiative on marijuana, Amendment 3, and a ballot initiative on abortion, Amendment 4. This is the second article in a three-part backgrounder on the state constitutional amendments on the ballot in November’s general election. Both potential amendments were initiated outside […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
At press time, the island was waiting for the outer bands of Hurricane Helene. Pictured here, the radar from MyRadar phone app, hanging just west of Cuba.