Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in Community, Featured News, News.
Many of the private clubs on island have not yet set dates to reopen following Hurricane Milton; however, progress is being made every day. The Boca Grande Club got water back on Monday, Oct. 21, said Yvonne Anderson, president of the club. “I think we will open pretty soon when water becomes stable,” she said. […]
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 Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, News, Uncategorized.
On Friday, Oct. 25 at 5 p.m., the need for a Hurricane Pass will be eliminated for Gasparilla Island. This will also coincide with the demobilization of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office checkpoint at the county line, where passed are checked, and cars are surveyed on exiting the island. This news came from Chief C.W. […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Uncategorized.
FORT MYERS – The Lee County Department of Community Development continues to operate temporary, remote permit offices in the county’s most affected areas. These offices have proved successful in assisting residents in unincorporated Lee County to apply for permits to repair existing buildings damaged by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The locations are as follows: […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
Following the destruction from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, several island businesses have set up fundraisers to help with recovery. Click the links below to visit each individual campaign. If you own or know of a business in Boca Grande with a verified fundraiser that is not included below, send the link to aridilla@bocabeacon.com
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
Gasparilla Island Water Association has about 95 percent of the island’s water connections back in service. “We are getting to the nitty gritty,” said Ron Bolton, GIWA’s executive director, who said that less than 120 units are without water and/or sewer. In a Monday email to the board, he said that most of the lift […]
Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.
BY MARK DRISCOLL, CEO As we begin the long road to recovery following Hurricane Milton, we want to express our heartfelt concern for all of you who have been affected. We are relieved to share that our clinic staff is safe, though some have experienced personal losses like so many in our community. Despite these […]
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 […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Profiles.
On Tuesday, Oct. 15, Florida Secretary of Commerce Alex Kelly came to Boca Grande to help local businesses ruined by Hurricane Milton. The Beacon discussed the importance of small businesses to not only each local economy, but overall tourism. While here, he saw damage from Milton and Helene, and toured Hudson’s, Scarpas, Key Lime Bistro, […]