Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.
FIVE YEARS AGO At a public hearing, Charlotte County Commissioners unanimously approved an ordinance to adopt a small-scale plan amendment – which included a change from resource conservation to commercial zoning and building heights to 39.9 feet – at The Fishery property. TEN YEARS AGO We got 7.5 inches of rain in one week, leaving […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The Fifth Street Beach Access on Boca Grande has been closed as a safety precaution because Hurricane Idalia eroded the beach and washed away the access ramp. The Beach Access points north and south of Fifth Street remain open. Visit leeparks.org for more details. Residents and visitors are reminded that Gasparilla State […]
Written by Boca Beacon Reader on . Posted in Letters to the Editor.
To the Editor: The State Attorney’s Office would like the public to be on alert for a scam happening in Southwest Florida, targeting people being subpoenaed for court cases and demanding money. These scammers are reading the public record files of cases and calling those being subpoenaed. They are utilizing information in the cases to […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.
Two pieces up on new tower … work will begin again next week (Cover photo by Bob Melvin) Joe Steele and Luke Boultonhouse have become very acquainted with our regional airports. They are two of the representatives from T Steele Construction, Inc., a telecom construction company out of Rock Island, Illinois, who have been working […]
Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Police & Fire.
Boca Grande has been known to experience its share of miracles, and this past week we had evidence of that again. The Boca Grande Disaster Relief Fund has found a way to donate another major gift – $100,000 – to the Auxiliary Emergency Radio Communications project. Having already donated $50,000 to the cause, this is above and beyond … and also very necessary.
This leaves a figure just shy of $80,000 remaining out of a needed $305,000. The BGDR Fund has donated $150,000; the Boca Grande Woman’s Club has donated $75,000; and Boca Grande Charities, Inc. has donated $1,500 (for an initial 10 additional BTech radios for volunteers).
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News.
Volunteers gathered on Gasparilla’s beaches for the annual International Coastal Beach Clean Up, held across the world, and on island, on Saturday, Sept. 16.
“We even had a couple of walk-ons,” said Susan Heyl, one of the volunteers for the day. A volunteer from sponsoring group Barrier Island Parks Society (BIPS), she was working the 7th Street beach cleanup site with Danielle Domke of Grande Escapes, another one of the sponsors of the day.
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education.
The Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce has announced that it will hold their annual fall golf tournament to raise money for scholarships at an off-island venue.The tournament will be held at Wellen Park Golf and Country Club, a new 18-hole course in the new planned town of Wellen Park, off of River Road in Venice. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
The Temptation is planning a street party on Saturday, Oct. 7 to celebrate the reinstallation and restoration of their historic sign and the restaurant’s 75th anniversary.
This is actually the 12th Maker’s Mark barrel take for The Temp.
“Honestly, they are not going to send a bad barrel,” said Jeffrey Simmons, owner. “You pick one that fits our profile.”
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.
Local experts on seacoast ecology are leading state efforts to reconcile scheduled beach replenishment and the environment at the second Florida Resilience Conference, set for Sept. 27-29 in Fort Lauderdale. The conference brings together local, national and international experts to address issues with Florida’s beaches and waterways.
One of the lead speakers is Michael Poff, a Lee County professional engineer. His work includes getting the Federal Emergency Management Association, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management and dozens of other parties to sign off on regularly scheduled Lee County beach rebuilding efforts and at the same time, repair the damage from Hurricane Ian.
“They all have to agree on everything,” said Poff, who is who is president of Coastal Engineering Consultants. “It’s one less disturbance to the environment.”
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, Featured News.
One of the original elements of the Cape Haze development of Alfred and William Vanderbilt began restoration this week. The Cape Haze Community Center, which sits just off the fountain entrance at the corner of Spyglass Alley and Spaniards Road, was part of the earliest promotional material for Cape Haze. The building’s prominent architectural feature […]