Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Breaking News, Featured News, News, Uncategorized.
The Surfrider Foundation, which advocates for the public use and safety of beaches across the world, has spoken out about the potential closure of public Gasparilla Island beach parking by Lee County. “We urge the Lee County Commissioners to prioritize public parking solutions rather than restrictions in order to facilitate meaningful public access to beaches,” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Featured News, News.
A Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce survey on visitors to Gasparilla Island is still gathering submissions. It now has over 2,200 responses and almost 900 written comments and ideas. “We wanted to show that day trippers, as everyone is calling them, do patronize the local shops,” said Gary Cross, executive director of the Boca Grande […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in News.
A petition survey by a local schoolteacher and longtime island resident to keep beach parking access open has grown to over 3,000 signatures in just over a week. “Truthfully, I didn’t want to hinder anybody, but I am very passionate about the beach,” said Mila Wyman, who grew up in Boca Grande and still has a […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate.
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation had a quick agenda at its July meeting. Members Paul Eddy, Jerry Edgerton, Barbara Wickwire, Paul Eddy and Becky Paterson attended, as well as Chairman Bill Caldwell III and Vice Chair Peggy Stanley. It was held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church because of work at the Boca Grande Community Center; […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Sports & Outdoors.
Barrier Island Parks Society has set the date for the return of the Light Keeper’s Open, a charity golf tournament taking place at the Coral Creek Club on November 3. Proceeds will support the ongoing preservation of the iconic Gasparilla Island Lighthouse. The 2025 Light Keeper’s Open invites golfers of all skill levels to participate in […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in News, Real Estate, Uncategorized.
Blackstone (NYSE: BX) and Allegiant Travel Company (NASDAQ: ALGT) today announced that funds affiliated with Blackstone Real Estate have agreed to acquire Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor from Allegiant for $200 million. “The acquisition of this brand new, highly amenitized resort demonstrates our strong conviction in hospitality and travel and the continued growth in group-oriented destinations,” […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Breaking News, Community, News.
A new web petition effort supports keeping Boca Grande parking open to the public. At a recent county meeting, supporters of a change to parking regulations presented their own petition of over 1,000 names to county commissioners on June 17. The link to that petition effort is below. The new public petition reads, “Boca Grande’s […]
Written by Staff Report on . Posted in Community.
Kimberly Struhar at Kappy’s Island Shoppe Island Ice Cream serves up delicious ice cream with a smile. This smiling crew was caught outside Hudson’s Grocery with some wonderful red, white and blue treats of their own. The golf cart provided some nice shade to help the cool treats last a little longer. […]
Written by Garland Pollard on . Posted in Featured News, News, Real Estate.
Above, an archival photo of the old Collier Inn, with its famous steps. Boca Beacon archives A group of homeowners of Useppa Island, including some Boca Grande residents, have reportedly agreed to the purchase of the club from its owner, the Beckstead family. The property has been up for sale. Last year, a previous effort […]
Written by Guest Columnist on . Posted in Columns, News, Sports & Outdoors.
BY ARLENE HALL, BGSTA SECRETARY Since my last article, we have started seeing hatches of our first loggerhead nests! Our first nests were documented on May 1, and with an approximate two-month incubation period, the hatchlings from these first nests are emerging right on schedule. We should now be seeing hatches on a regular basis […]