Tag: NoPaywall

Meet some faces of a few of the Gasparilla Island’s small businesses this Christmas season

Above, Sarah Holt, Lizzie Ahlers and Kerri Jacobs at Bella Vida. This Christmas shopping season is the first full season since the island’s recovery from 2024 hurricanes. The Beacon took just a...

Burrowing owl effort expands on Cape Haze

Just off Gasparilla Island, a small colony of Florida burrowing owls – a state-threatened species – is holding on as development increases around them. Fewer than 50 adult owls remain in western...

Sarah Sharp Farish, 1942-2025

Sarah Sharp Farish passed away on November 24, 2025 at home in Boca Grande, Florida, surrounded by her family. Raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Sarah was the daughter of Mary and Bayard Sharp....

IN THE SPOTLTIGHT: Mark Horan

November 26, 2025
Angela McPhillips
Profiles

From tennis court to animal habitat Mark Horan’s path to conservation work in Boca Grande and Cape Haze began long before he ever paddled out to collect water samples or walked the edges of a...

Just a continuation of St. Petersburg and Sarasota

Growth has altered our way of life. Our Gulf Coast was originally settled by fishermen. They were the only ones that could feed themselves. We had few roads, and they were dirt. Boats were the...

Lee County releases administrative code draft for Boca Grande parking permits

November 26, 2025
Garland Pollard
Featured News, News

Lee County Board of County Commissioners had released the administrative code for administering Boca Grande parking permits. The issue will be on the agenda at their Tuesday, Dec. 2 meeting. ...

Congratulations!

November 26, 2025
Staff Report
Community

The Gaffney family celebrated the engagement of their son, Sean, to Grace Flowers, on Sunday at BZ’s at The Gasparilla Inn. They followed with a celebration at home at The Landings at Coral...

Registration on for 2026 Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic opening Jan. 17

The Boca Beacon’s Gasparilla Island Tennis Classic opens on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026. The annual all-island tournament will be held at the Boca Bay Pass Club, The Gasparilla Inn Tennis Club...

Citizens speak up after Lee meeting ejection

November 20, 2025
Anna Ridilla
Community, News

Several concerned citizens spoke at Tuesday’s Lee County Commission meeting about a Nov. 4 incident in which a public speaker was ejected from the chamber. At the Nov. 4 commissioner’s...

Bridge statement reminds Charlotte County of GIBA parking neutrality

The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board voted to stay neutral on the Boca Grande parking issue, recommitting to their mission and role as bridge to the island. The board’s statement, sent...