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

Newsflash:

Text Size

Breaking News

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...
Read More...

Debby brings rain, wind and power outages to Boca Grande

25 June 2012 Last Updated on 13 July 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Tropical Storm Debby has covered Boca Grande with wind, rain and storms for the last three days, but Sunday night and Monday morning has brought the worst weather so far.

Power outages were reported Sunday night. Some residents experienced only a momentary lapse of power, but others had no electricity for more than an hour. Monday morning at approximately 7 a.m. the power went out again in the Lee County portion of the island, with a two-hour lapse in electrical service.

So far the highest wind gust recorded on Monday, June 25 was 36 m.p.h. at 8:54 a.m. On Sunday night a recorded gust came in at 55 m.p.h.

Precipitation on the island since the storm first hit stands at just over 3 1/2 inches.

A few small trees came down and many branches and palm fronds, but no severe damage was reported.

( 2 Votes )

Add new comment

The News - Featured News

Looking for pics? We got 'em!

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

We will now be posting photos of island events on our web site for sale or simple perusal. Please visit the "media" option at the top of the page where it says "photos and video." If you're looking for pictures of a particular event that you don't see listed, please contact our office via email ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) or phone us at 964-2995.

Photo by Marcy

( 4 Votes )

Add new comment

The News - Featured News

Letter to the Editor: Angler knows both sides of jig controversy

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

I have guided in tarpon tournaments ever since I started taking clients for tarpon in Boca Grande more than two decades ago. We have participated in World’s Richest, Miller’s Tarpon Tide, World Tarpon and PTTS.

My family has roots in Boca Grande that cover a hundred years and date back to the earliest of 1900’s. The Markett’s were a pioneer Arcadia family and my grand and great-grandfathers were with the railroad. I have guided clients for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass and the surrounding sounds, beaches and Charlotte Harbor for a long time. My son and his family live on the island and it is my grandson Dalton’s only home. Capt. Lou Baggett and I started the Boca Grande Pass Cleanup during a Miller’s Tarpon Tide Tournament years ago and I was actively involved in that effort as long as it existed.

( 6 Votes )

Letter to the Editor: Islander wonders about a bridge lottery

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:
Has the GIBA considered a lottery to finance the new Bridges? Is the GIBA authorized to run a lottery? Could the GIBA seek State approval to run a lottery?

( 1 Vote )

Letter to the Editor: Angler mom replies to PTTS protest

22 June 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:
As the mother of a veterinarian, the mother-in-law of a veterinarian, and the mother of a PTTS captain and angler, and the mother-in-law of a WPTTS angler, I realize the necessity of taking measures that will cause the least harm to all of nature's creatures.

The attack on the PTTS is uncalled for. Local residents should not only be grateful for the hundreds of thousands of revenue dollars the PTTS and WPTTS bring in to Boca Grande, but also the extreme measures the PTTS takes in the handling of the Tarpon during tournament venues.