This date in the Boca Beacon: Kids Classic tarpon tournament created, Useppa liquor burglary

FIVE YEARS AGO

The construction phase of the Mercabo Cove restoration project had been completed. The project was to improve water quality and reduce long-term seawall maintenance costs. 

TEN YEARS AGO

The new swing bridge was going through functionality testing and the opening had been delayed.

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO

The Gasparilla Island Kids Classic tarpon fishing tournament idea was created by Capt. Sandy Melvin to provide a fun and competitive event for youth that encouraged sportsmanship and conservation.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

The Useppa Island Club experienced a burglary that resulted in $70 in liquor and $50 in cash stolen along with a broken window.

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO 

The United Methodist Church of Boca Grande completed their annual fall food drive collecting more than 25 boxes of food for the Harry Chapin Food Bank.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

A strong incoming tide, thirty-knot winds and five-foot seas caused dredge equipment to break loose from the mother vessel and become dangerous runaway floating debris. Three hundred feet of pipe became lodged on a sandbar outside Gasparilla Pass between Gasparilla and Little Gasparilla islands.

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO

The EMS station opened back up at the old Boca Grande Health Clinic manned by trained Lee County professionals instead of volunteers.

FORTY YEARS AGO

The first stage of the Lighthouse renovation project was completed and a park ranger was due to move into the cottage soon.