FWC votes 4-3 to pursue jig ban Friday, 14 June 2013 14:00 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In a decision that will change the face of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission voted 4-3 to pass a proposal to create new definitions for the term “snagging,” and decided to proceed with a draft ruling that would prohibit the use of bottom-weighted jigs as well. Read the Full Story

Beacon buys Gasparilla Gazette Friday, 14 June 2013 13:59 The Boca Beacon, Boca Grande’s locally-owned newspaper for 33 years, has purchased the Gasparilla Gazette. The purchase agreement with Breeze Newspapers of Cape Coral was made final this week. Read the Full Story

Be free, manatee: Two native 'tees released back to their home on Thursday Friday, 14 June 2013 13:53 Representatives from Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo made a very special trip to the island on Thursday, June 13, with some very unique cargo. Read the Full Story

Boca Grande still a 'best little beach town' Friday, 14 June 2013 13:50 Once again, Boca Grande finds itself on a list of top 10 places, this time as one of America’s best little beach towns as listed by CNN. Read the Full Story

Island sea turtle patrol experiencing funding snag, but still hitting the beaches Friday, 14 June 2013 13:45 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The Gasparilla Island Turtle Patrol has had a bit of bad luck lately, between Tropical Storm Andrea and a new development that has stopped their funding cold for the moment.
According to Grace Harvey, the permit holder for Gasparilla Island, the Coastal Wildlife Club has taken away the money they need to operate ... and all because of a matter of security. Read the Full Story

Local surfers goin’ to Cali Friday, 14 June 2013 13:44 BY LIZA STROUT - When Mila Wyman and the rest of the Florida Atlantic University’s Surf Team finished one point off first place in the 2013 National Scholastic Surfing Association’s East Coast Regional Championship in April, they knew that they were going to be heading to California for the national competition. Read the Full Story

Profile: Lynne Warberg Friday, 14 June 2013 10:31 BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Lynne Warberg has played many roles in her lifetime. She’s been the relish girl, the Playboy bunny, the receptionist, the photographer, the author and the mom. Her long and winding path to Boca Grande is more than just interesting ... it’s a testament to just what a woman can do all on her own. And just what she did was become a very well-known photographer, and she will be helping out shooting pictures from the Boca Beacon from time to time as well. Read the Full Story

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FWC votes 4-3 to pursue jig ban
BY MARCY SHORTUSE - In a decision that will change the face of tarpon fishing in Boca Grande Pass, the...
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Winner announced for ‘name the pirate girl painting’ contest

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

"A Doggone Good Catch!" is the winning title for the “pirate girl” painting created by renowned artist Brendan Coudal for the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce's 2012 Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

Virginia Witty of Punta Gorda submitted the witty winning entry, beating out more than 200 other submissions. Virginia (shown above with Chamber Director Lew Hastings) received print #1 from the 500 limited edition signed and numbered series, as well as a "treasure basket" from the Chamber of Commerce.

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Two local artists win prizes for their work

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Earlier this month Boca Grande artist Susan Shaffer’s framed paper sculpture, “Synchronicity,” was awarded first place at ArtCenter Manatee’s juried exhibition entitled “Retrospective Color.” The exhibit includes 80 regional artists in multiple mediums. Susan is a founding member of the Boca Grande Art Alliance and year-round island resident. She will be exhibiting in the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend Show and Summer Days Exhibition at the BGAA Art Center.

The “Retrospective Color” exhibit will run through June 1.

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Birth announcement: Tucker Michael Cera

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Tucker Michael Cera, we welcome you ...

On May 1, 2012 at 5:52 a.m.Tucker Michael Cera was born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital. He is the son of George and Cindy Cera of Boca Grande. He weighed in at 9 pounds, 1 ounce at birth and was 21 inches long. Welcoming him home are siblings Jesse Jon Michael, 21, Marlana Lynn Messina, 22, and Gabriela Rose Crespo, 8. Harry and Fayma Childs are Tucker’s maternal grandparents, and Beverly Cera is his paternal grandmother.

( 1 Vote )

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The News - Featured News

Guest editorial: We made a promise, we need to keep it

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

About 60 island property owners recently called on our bridge authority to break a promise we, as a community, made to the state in 1995 and once again in 2000.

Who is responsible for operating, maintaining and replacing Boca Grande’s bridges and causeway? Based on that promise, we are. In 2000, the Florida Legislature passed an act re-creating the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority it had originally established in 1995. Most of the statute's language is technical. Not what you’d consider bedtime reading. But the rest is easy to comprehend for anyone interested in taking the time to understand what we told the Legislature we would do back in 1995 and again five years later.

( 3 Votes )

Letter to the Editor: Artist thanks Beacon for support and coverage

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

I just want to thank the Beacon on behalf of the Art Alliance for the wonderful and timely coverage of our 25th Anniversary Celebration and Spring Show! It helped generate a lot of interest in our beginnings and we really appreciate the support.

Cecilia Jonsson-Bisset,
Boca Grande Art Alliance Show Chair
Boca Grande