Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Education, News.
BY CHRISTINE OLIVER, HEAD OF SCHOOL Students’ first day back to school is tentatively scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7, 2024. However, we still need the all-clear from the county. Lee County Facilities and several teams from Fireservice Emergency Disaster Response are currently at The Island School. They appear to be on schedule to be out […]
Written by Anna Ridilla on . Posted in News.
Hurricane Helene brought the second highest water levels to Southwest Florida in 60 years (after Hurricane Ian). Below is an approximate timeline of Helene’s impacts on Gasparilla Island over the last week, gathered from Beacon reporting and local weather stations. Thursday, Sept. 26 1 p.m.: Wind gusts, minor bands of rain and high tides. Power […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
Charlotte County encourages residents to begin recovery efforts as soon as possible. To streamline the rebuilding process and prevent delays, the Charlotte County Community Development Department is providing guidelines for work that may be completed without the need for a permit. The following work does not require a permit:
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
While there was significant damage to The Gasparilla Inn during Hurricane Helene, President and General Manager Brent Cross and staff are working to get the operations back open as soon as possible. In the interim, they have cancelled reservations and events through Oct. 30. “The main hotel held up well,” Cross said. However, other operations, […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Police & Fire.
On Wednesday, September 25, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a battery on island, according to a department report. Deputy David Scozzafava and Lieutenant Mike Sawicki responded to the victim, identified as Christopher Eastman. Eastman stated he was with a coworker, identified as Daniel Lofsten, for Dun-Rite Carpet and Tile, and they went […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Police & Fire.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, local fire departments, including the Boca Grande Fire Department, are responding to alarms relating to lithium batteries. When exposed to water, these batteries can rapidly deteriorate, overheat, and release gasses that may cause explosions and fast-moving fires. The rule is that if they have been damaged by water, get […]
Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Featured News, Health & Wellness, News.
BY MARK DRISCOLL, CEO The Boca Grande Health Clinic is operational with a small team onsite and physicians on call for urgent care. As you can imagine, our doctors have been busy over the last few days mending broken bones, and attending to falls, bites and scrapes. All those injuries we typically see after major […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News.
After Hurricane Helene, family and friends came and picked up Capt. William ‘Dumplin’ Wheeler in a jon boat. Here, he simulates a bit of tarpon fishing with walking stick as he heads down Wheeler Road. Below, family and friends during the rescue. […]
Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Featured News, News.
Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 5, will not only be a Presidential election, but it will have a large number of state, federal and local candidates on the ballot, including a Florida Senatorial election. It will also have six ballot initiatives. In the last two weeks, the Boca Beacon has reviewed the first four. This […]
Written by Boca Beacon on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
BY LARRY HANNAH In order to aid island businesses, The Boca Grande Disaster Committee is back in action to help with the clean-up and restoration of Boca Grande after the impact of Hurricane Helene. This fund, which is targeted to island businesses that suffered physical losses, will greatly ease the burden on businesses that have […]