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Lee County building damage assessments, permits and inspection guidelines

Due to both public and private damage generated by Hurricane Ian, Unincorporated Lee County is temporarily altering routine construction permitting and inspections for rebuilding.  Damage assessment: Unincorporated Lee County, following the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) requirements, has the responsibility to determine “substantial damage” and “substantial improvement,” and has implemented the procedures to do so. […]

Four churches, one common goal – uniting the community

The four churches in Boca Grande did not escape the wrath of Ian. Nevertheless, two of the four were able to hold services the weekend after the storm. These were Lighthouse United Methodist and Our Lady of Mercy Catholic churches. St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will open in about two weeks, as the drying out process […]

A word from Father Carosella

Coming back to a church that was relatively intact after Hurricane Ian has left Father Jerome Carosella a happy man. “The church, thank God, is fine, except for the roof,” said Fr. Jerome Carosella philosphically. “It is a happy outcome.” That roof exception is a pretty big one, according to most people’s standards, and would […]

Boca Grande Health Clinic helps after the storm

Dana Pellant and Natalie Cole, nurses at the Boca Grande Health Clinic, were a rescue team driving through storm-ravaged Boca Grande in the first days after Hurricane Ian hit the Island. Natalie’s daughter, Campbell, became part of the team, as well.   “We knew who the most vulnerable people on the Island were, and had […]

Island helping island: Gas from GI goes to LGI

Boca Grande Charities, Inc. – a charitable foundation founded by Capt. Sandy Melvin (and now includes Ron Walker and Pat Waterhouse) – helped save the day regarding fuel, not only on Gasparilla Island but on Little Gasparilla Island as well. Melvin worked with Mike Krause of Okeechobee Fishing Headquarters, who by happenstance during a conversation […]

THIS WEEK IN HISTORY IN THE BOCA BEACON

FIVE YEARS AGO The Boca Grande Island was in a heated debate regarding a proposed assisted living house along East Railroad Avenue. TEN YEARS AGO The Mote Marine Laboratory deployed their marine robot “Waldo” to our local waters. Waldo was taking water samples and detecting red tide levels to give scientists accurate readings. FIFTEEN YEARS […]

FWC creates hotline to address thousands of derelict vessels displaced by Hurricane Ian

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has established a hotline for reporting displaced vessels still on Florida state waters because of Hurricane Ian.  When Hurricane Ian swept across the state, thousands of vessels were displaced by wind and storm surge. Some were pushed ashore, some damaged in marinas and private docks, others relocated […]