This Date in the Boca Beacon

FIVE YEARS AGO

A Port Charlotte youth visiting with a church group drowned at the south end of the island. In another scenario, two lives were saved from drowning when beachgoers formed a human chain (with some help from a pool noodle) out into the water. This incident occurred in the same spot where the other boy drowned.

TEN YEARS AGO

Ditches along Gasparilla Road on the north end were swamped over with water and starting to stink pretty good. Capt. Jimmy almost lost his leg to a flesh-eating virus that started as a simple wound to his foot. 

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

A 23-year-old Pensacola woman who claimed her 11-month-old son was the Messiah and son of Muhammed was apprehended by sheriff’s deputies after a six-mile high-speed chase. She had stolen the car from an island resident’s home. 

The firefighters made a calendar. It was good.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Steve Futch was named Captain of the Year. The island was getting ready for the movie “Out of Time” to begin filming. 

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

A bridge purchase was in the works between GIBA and Gaspar, Inc., but many studies had to be done first. The county was taking a hard look at county rights-of-way to see how much they had changed since 1900. Some had changed drastically while others hadn’t changed at all.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Lee County commissioners approved the 5th Street dock site. It was created for the Boca Grande Fishing Guides Association to have easier access to the island and Boca Grande Bayou.