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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Local artist to hold classes for kids

06 June 2013 Marcy Shortuse

Carroll Swayze’s 15th annual Art Adventure Camp is starting soon, and already Carroll has a lot of interest. The class, held at the Carroll Swayze Studio, 2373 Donovan Rd. in Englewood, will be held in four sessions that include everything from giant lizard painting to gyotaku.

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Profile, Myles Moulton: Just what the heck is Fishy Itchy?

06 June 2013 Marcy Shortuse

BY JACK SHORT - Myles Moulton is a young man with a college degree, two small businesses, a brand to market, and the work ethic to keep it all going. The 26-year-old grew up in Orlando and Englewood, and currently lives in Orlando where he runs two companies – Sod Masters Inc., and Fishy Itchy.

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Get signed up now for 'All that Jazz'

06 June 2013 Marcy Shortuse

The response to the Friends of the Boca Grande Community Center 2014 “All That Jazz” season ticket on-sale announcement has already been so great that some shows have already been sold out.

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Letter to the Editor: Thanks to all who made the Kids Classic Tournament a success

06 June 2013 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

The board of directors of Boca Grande Charities Inc. would like to thank everyone for making the Gasparilla Island Kids Classic Tarpon Tournament a great success.

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The News - Letter to Editor

Letter to the Editor: Is the PTTS reality show Boca Grande’s version of ‘Jersey Shore?’

06 June 2013 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

Just when things start to quiet down a bit in Boca Grande, the circus known as the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series (PTTS) rolls into town. When I pick up a paper or turn on the television and see this tournament being glorified and promoted, I get very angry. When I see some of the local media touting the ongoing struggle in Boca Grande to rid ourselves of this scourge as nothing more than locals not wanting to share, I become livid.