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Work continues on emergency radio communications plan

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in News.

The Fire Department’s “Island E.O.C. Emergency Communications and Interoperability Working Group” responsible for creating a new network of emergency communications – both on and just off island – is steadily moving forward. In fact, their efforts have now been stepped up to “Mission Critical” status, after a near-miss from Hurricane Idalia and other systems out in the Atlantic on the move.   

The Group’s communications subcommittee is working with Motorola and Suncoast Expeditionary Associates to optimize their efforts in creating a backup auxiliary emergency communications system.  Which will allow representatives from all of the island’s key organizations – such as the school, fire, deputies, the GICIA, the Boca Grande Community Center and others – to communicate with each other in the event we have no cell service for any reason.

Flamingos! Flamingos everywhere! Even in Boca Grande and  … Ohio?

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

Hurricanes don’t always bring good things, but the latest hurricane, Idalia, has not only brought the American flamingo back to Florida, but highlighted the potential for the eventual restoration and return of the species to Florida on a permanent basis.

Like so many Floridians, Ashley Scarpa had never seen them in Florida, even as an experienced birder.

“To be honest I went searching for them,” said Scarpa, who has in the past monitored birds for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. “Someone had posted that they had been seen in the area, and I sprinted to where they have been seen.”

GIWA increase to take effect on October 1

Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Community, News.

Gasparilla Island Water Authority (GIWA) members will have a rate increase of five percent beginning Oct. 1, 2023, and future rate increases would be able to be approved administratively by the county manager of Lee County, rather than having to be approved at full Board of County Commissioners meetings. On Tuesday, Sept 5 the Lee […]

New ultrasound equipment is a game changer for Clinic

Written by Boca Grande Health Clinic on . Posted in Health & Wellness, News.

Thanks to the generosity of MaryLee and Jack Hollis, Boca Grande Health Clinic patients now get faster diagnoses without having to leave the island. A gift from the Hollis family provided the means to acquire a Clarius HD3 portable ultrasound machine. Ultrasound imaging, also known as sonography, is a crucial diagnostic tool in modern medicine. […]

The exciting world of Lee County library cards

Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Education, News.

Signing up for a library card is easy. If you live, work or go to school in Lee County, you can get a free library card by visiting any branch with proof of eligibility such as valid driver’s license, current school ID and proof of address, utility bill or tax statement. For a complete list of eligibility options, visit leelibrary.net/card. Not a resident of Lee County? No problem. Visitors can obtain a Lee County Library System card for a small fee with a valid ID. 

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Mike Teston

Written by Sheila Evans on . Posted in Profiles.

Get ready for fancy and fun drinks coming this season. There is a new bar manager at Scarpa’s Coastal, and he is all about mixing things up.
Mike Teston thinks the term “mixology” is a little pretentious for what he does. However, he loves the chemistry, the imagination, the challenge of finding new ways to tickle people’s tastebuds and open them to new adventures through the drinks he develops. He can’t wait to roll out his new cocktail menu in October.

THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON …

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Columns, Community History.

FIVE YEARS AGO Almost two weeks without any major red tide issues was a big deal, after a period of about two years where it was terrible.  TEN YEARS AGO A ruling on the side of our resources. One aspect of the bottom-weighted tarpon jig saga was closed, as the FWC voted to adopt new […]

EDITORIAL: Paradise just ain’t what it used to be

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, Editorial.

If a hurricane doesn’t leave you dead It will make you strong. Don’t try to explain it, just nod your head, Breathe in, breathe out, move on. Those words went through my head a time or 10 on September 28th of last year. Since then, as well, as we’ve had our lives turned upside down  […]

Idalia skirts island (but we still had some unpleasantness)

Written by Marcy Shortuse on . Posted in Community, News.

There may or may not have been a bit of scoffing going on a few days ago, as many from this area who went through Ian were looking at a tropical storm more than 100 miles off our coastline. Was this even  worth buying water for? Or gas? 

As it turned out, effects from Idalia started at about noon on Tuesday, even before the rain began. During that high tide, stormwater drains were already backing up and creating a bit of flooding down by Whidden’s Marina and at 4th Street/Bayou Drive.