Tag: NoPaywall

Why Whidden’s matters: The landscape of Florida’s seaside

A notable place is not just a physical building. It is a building connected to a community and a group of people. Whidden’s Marina is a rare location, as most of the other institutions like it...

Business & Real Estate: Preservation Board meets on demo

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will meet at 10 a.m. on Sept. 9 at the Auditorium of the Boca Grande Community Center, 131 1st St. W., Boca Grande, FL 33921. The board will discuss...

Data centers: The public process is critical in Florida

August 27, 2026
Brent McConnell
Columns

BY BRENT MCCONNELL Data centers are becoming one of the strangest political fights in America. Most of us use them every day without knowing where they are or what they do. They store our...

Celebrate a century

The Boca Beacon is celebrating the centennial of Whidden’s in a special edition August 28. The edition will include a history of the marina, as well as recollections. We are asking...

Manatee needs rescue after beaching herself after mating chase

A manatee in heat became stuck at the south end of the island Friday night, after a herd of male manatees chased her onto the beach. The situation began ealier Friday, when too many...

Briefs: Fust Library will temporary close for panel installation; kayak launch reopening

August 21, 2026
Staff Report
Community, News

The Johann Fust Community Library will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 25 and Wednesday, Aug. 26, for installation of hurricane protection panels by the Johann Fust Library Foundation. Vegetable garden...

IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Capt. Chris Slattery

Constructing a career as fishing guide In his nearly two decades on the water, Chris Slattery has turned his lifelong passion for fishing into a career as one of the area’s trusted inshore...

No sunset for a friend; missing those Tuesdays you wish you’d noticed

August 21, 2026
Guest Columnist
Columns, Opinion

BY ERNIE J. VANDERWALT I got in the Gulf tonight shortly before sunset, the light doing that thing it does where the water turns the color of something you can’t quite name, gold sliding into...

Do we coddle young people? If so, it’s on us, not them

August 21, 2026
Guest Columnist
Columns, Opinion

BY SUSAN HANAFEE I remember telling my new boss that I definitely wasn’t the smartest person in the company—not by a long shot – but I would be one of the hardest-working. I think if you...

Editorial: Voters felt it incumbent to get rid of incumbents

August 21, 2026
Garland Pollard
Editorial

On Tuesday, all three local commissioner incumbents with opponents were voted out. They are all Republicans, so this primary election is, likely, the actual election, though candidates are running...