Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
Multiple local marine units, including the U.S. Coast Guard, responded to a false mayday call last Saturday, May 4 at 5 p.m. The call was reported from five miles west of Gasparilla Island, described as a “verbal mayday call w/o response.” A male voice called for help, and it was reported as a watercraft in […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, Profiles.
Boca Grande is very close to being a perfect community. That’s the personal and professional opinion of Oliver T. Carr, who has owned a home in Boca Grande for 20 years, and has been developing homes, office buildings, hotels and communities for longer and more successfully than just about anyone on the planet. Ollie, as […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Featured News, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY RON BOLTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Gasparilla Island Water Association, Inc. is pleased to present to you this year’s Annual Drinking Water Quality Report. This report is designed to inform you about the quality of water and related services we deliver to you every day. As always, we are committed to ensuring the quality of your […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
About four years ago, David Merced, son-in-law of Boca Grande homeowner Marilyn Witt, was driving his family from Chicago down to the island for Christmas break when he noticed a spot in his four-year-old son Harrison’s eye. “The doctor was so surprised we had spotted it so early,” Witt said. “Most parents don’t see it […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Police & Fire.
A small fire on the Boca Grande Causeway’s center island was the road’s second land fire in a year. “This is not normally a problem, but the same thing did happen back in October,” said Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority Executive Director Kathy Banson. The fire was only in a small area by the roadside and […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News.
Italiano Insurance Services, Inc. has a new owner, Assured Partners. “They buy good agencies, and keep them intact,” said Nat Italiano, who with his brother Jeff, owns the firm that his father Nelson A. Italiano founded in 1960. He said that his directions from the new owners were to “treat it like you still own […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Health & Wellness.
The Boca Grande Health Clinic kicked off National Nurses Week (May 6 to 12) with a surprise presentation of giant greeting cards signed by members of the community expressing their gratitude. “It’s nice to have this week to formally recognize our nurses,” said Mark Driscoll, Boca Grande Health Clinic CEO. “But I want them to […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Community History, Editorial.
A thank you to Capt. Jim Hoyt for organizing the welcome to the yacht Hilarium last Thursday, bringing her back to Boca Grande Marina. As a publication, we appreciate those last minute calls. And add to it the revival of any old tradition of welcome parties, including by train and sea. The brief clip of […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Obituaries.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Knapp, 78, born in 1946. He died peacefully on Saturday, April 27, 2024, with his wife, Marcia, by his side in Nashville, Tennessee. Rob was the President and founder of Supernova Consulting LLC., President of the Knapp Family Foundation, and Chairman of the […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Uncategorized.
A draft code change from Lee County, circulated on Monday, May 6, 2024, that would update the Gasparilla Island Parking Ordinances with references to downtown parking. The draft ordinance, not presented to the board, was revealed in a Public Records Law document request from Lee County, which the Boca Beacon received in July 2024.