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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Boca Grande Day at the ball park on March 14

02 March 2012 Last Updated on 02 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

The Tampa Bay Rays are offering an exclusive “buy one, get one free” ticket special for a Berm/Boardwalk ticket (regular priced at $9 per ticket) to the game on Wednesday, March 14. This game is designated as Boca Grande Chamber of Commerce Day.

Boca Grande’s own Capt. Sandy Melvin of Gasparilla Outfitters will throw out the first pitch when the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Miami Marlins.

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Obituary: Dwight Arundale

02 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Dwight Arundale of Boca Grande passed away on Friday, Feb. 24.

There will be no local service. A complete obituary will be available soon.

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Profile: Marian Schneider

02 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - She tried. She really did. But Capt. Marian Schneider just could not retire. She bought a house in north Georgia, found someone to manage her business, packed up and left.

“I was up there for two years. It was beautiful, though it was away from the water,” Marian explained. “Then I came back to train a new manager, and realized how much I missed it here. This is home. This is where I belong. So I packed it all again and came back.”

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After-school care for island kids still available in new school year, meeting scheduled for Tuesday

02 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

According to Marta Howell, executive director of the Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center, there will most definitely still be an after-school program for island children in the 2012-2013 school year.

A meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 6 at 8:30 a.m. in the Boca Grande Community Center Auditorium to explain changes to the program and to answer parent questions.

If you have children who plan to attend the after-school program currently run by the Friends organization, please plan on coming to the meeting.

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‘Revenge of the Radioactive Lady’ author to visit Johann Fust Community Library

02 March 2012 Last Updated on 06 March 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY ALICE GORMAN - Does the name Elizabeth Stuckey-French ring a bell? How about the title of her book, “Revenge of the Radioactive Lady”? Would it arouse your curiosity to know that this book was chosen one of The Chicago Tribune’s Best Books of 2011, and it was awarded the Florida Book of the Year Award for 2011?

The New Yorker review stated: “Elizabeth Stuckey-French’s new novel, Revenge of the Radioactive Lady, is the sort of book that one devours quickly and then thinks, ‘I’ll have another one just like that, please.’ The trouble is, of course, that it’s difficult to find another book quite like this one.”