BocaBeacon.comThe Boca Beacon is Boca Grande's weekly community newspaper.
Two lanes open after weekend repairs at bridge
After being shut down to one lane for 12 hours this weekend, the swing bridge is back in business.
Jim Cooper, the executive director of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, said all swing bridge repair work, conducted by Leo Pfliger Construction Inc., was successfully completed from 5:30 p.m. on Friday evening to 4 a.m. the next [...]
‘We should have raised more money for the new bridges’
The bridge’s finances are soon to break even … but the $40 million gorilla refuses to leave the room.
That was the message that came out of a recent meeting of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board. The $40 million is the projected cost of replacing the authority’s three bridges.
While the new budget was approved, George [...]
Historic board approves home for national register
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved moving a recommendation to the National Register forward regarding a home located on 13th Street.
Hung jury causes mistrial in gopher tortoise case
UPDATE: After just four hours of deliberation, a jury in Charlotte County Court said the six members of the panel had deadlocked and could not reach a verdict in the case of a Boca Grande property owner charged with 12 counts of killing or endangering gopher tortoises. A mistrial was declared.
Firefighter calendar: ‘It’s all about highlighting the abs’
It’s a dirty job, but someone had to do it. According to photographer Skip Perry, when it comes to shooting beefcake calendars there is one rule that applies across the board.
“It’s all about highlighting the abs.”
Charlotte property owners to pay $75 for iguana control
Charlotte County residents of Boca Grande will be paying $75 per lot in the upcoming fiscal year for eradication efforts. When the Boca Grande Street and Drainage Advisory Committee, a.k.a the “iguana tax” board met on Friday, Aug. 6 they approved the new budget, with the final lizard bill expected to be around $45,000 to [...]
Mote to hold program on Deepwater Horizon spill
The Deepwater Horizon oil spill might soon be permanently sealed, but its environmental effects are just beginning. The public can learn how Mote Marine Laboratory scientists are responding to the spill — including its long-term consequences — and ask questions about the disaster during a free panel discussion at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 11 at Mote.
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Mack to dispatch aide to Boca Grande
On Friday, August 13, a member of Congressman Mack’s staff will hold public office hours from 1 PM to 3 PM at the Boca Grande Historical Society and Museum, located at 170 Park Ave. Constituents with comments, questions, or those in need of assistance on a federal matter are welcome to attend. For more information, [...]
Chamber moves downtown to Railroad Plaza
The Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce has moved to a new location in Railroad Plaza, finally edging closer to town after spending almost 20 years in the Courtyard.
Trial set in gopher tortoise case
A Boca Grande property owner from Orlando will stand trial in Charlotte County court on Tuesday, Aug. 10 for a dozen third-degree felony charges of killing or endangering gopher tortoises.
Historic board to discuss national register status for home
The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board will be meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 10 a.m. for their quarterly meeting and discussion of a new local installment on the National Register of Historic Places.
Yes, BocaBeacon.com is changing
About two weeks ago we changed the look of BocaBeacon.com. Not that there was all that much wrong with the old look. In fact, the new site was posted just one month after BocaBeacon.com was recognized by the Florida Press Association as the top weekly newspaper site in our circulation category. We have won this [...]
Engineer says speed bumps damaging bridge
David Taylor doesn’t like the speed bumps that flank the island’s three bridges. Further, Taylor – a Boca Grande resident who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering and has worked in the field for more than 30 years – says the bumps are doing more harm than good.
Bridge board candidate slate reduced to 11
There are now 11 candidates running for the four vacant seats on the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority board, as island resident John Bourgoin has dropped out due to health problems.
