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Derelict vesssels get harsher state review

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is preparing to implement a new law aimed at strengthening vessel accountability and enhancing protections for Florida’s waterways....

Customary Use Doctrine helps clarify some issues of public beach access

July 2, 2025
Marcy Shortuse
Community, News

Above, a fence at the south end of the island in November 2021 at Hill Tide became the subject of discussions about the customary use of beaches, as it blocked walkers. Boca Beacon archives BY...

Highlights of new parking draft set for August vote

July 2, 2025
Staff Report
Community, News

The Beacon is still getting questions about a new draft ordinance that would remove public beach parking access from Boca Grande, except for the Gasparilla Island State Parks. The ordinance draft...

Lee County Sheriff Office quiet on enforcement cost

Officers issued over 1,021 citations citations The upcoming Boca Grande parking draft ordinance that will come before the Lee County Commission in August contains numerous references to the...

Canoe and kayak access now open

The canoe/kayak launch and parking area at the Boca Grande Fishing Pier located at 5810 Gasparilla Road on Gasparilla Island has officially reopened. Portable toilets are available on site for...

Cost of parking for islanders, workers unclear

While a new parking plan is under consideration by Lee County, what is not defined in the ordinance is how much these permits will cost for island residents, homeowners and workers. A new...

DeSantis vetoes Boca Grande Fire District Ladder Truck

A $1.5 million appropriations request for a Boca Grande Fire Control District ladder truck replacement was vetoed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday, June 30. “We are disappointed,” said Chief...

A countdown for our nation’s 250th begins Friday

July 2, 2025
Garland Pollard
Editorial

This Fourth of July we are in a countdown to July 4, 2026 – our nation’s 250th. Is it a semiquincentennial or a sestercentennial? Bicentennial, in 1976, was a lot easier to say. In 1976, there...

Fourth of July golf cart parade begins in the cool morning

Independence Day is right around the corner, and lineup for Boca Grande’s annual Fourth of July parade begins at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4 in the gravel lot on the side of the Old Theatre...

Briefly: South Gulf Cove Lock Independence Holiday Hours

The South Gulf Cove Lock is extending its operating hours to 10 p.m., Friday, July 4, to accommodate increased holiday boating traffic. Normal operational hours will resume 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.,...