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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At 93, Carlson takes Men’s Day Tournament honors at Pass Club

04 May 2012 Last Updated on 10 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - The new champion of the Men’s Day Tournament at the Boca Grande Pass Club has been announced, and for the first time in his ten years of competition Byron Carlson walked away with the prize.

The 93-year-old Carlson, who has been playing the sport of kings for 75 years, discovered that he had won the tournament at the same time as everyone else: just after the last game of the tournament ended.

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The News - Featured News

WRTT entries looking good just two weeks before tournament

04 May 2012 Last Updated on 08 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

There are 28 boats currently signed up for the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s “World’s Richest” Tarpon Tournament, with a total of 140 competitors, including captains and anglers.

What some have said would be a slow restart to a long-standing tradition is turning out to be quite something else.

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Editorial: Only two ways to break it down when it comes to bridge finance

04 May 2012 Last Updated on 08 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - After the April 25 meeting of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, I had some questions about where the bond issue would be going if the tax referendum didn’t pass. I spoke with some of the GIBA board members, and I wanted to share with you what information I gleaned from them.

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The News - Editorial

Letter to the Editor: Reader gives kudos to GIBA’s finance chairman

04 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

Bill Holmberg, community volunteer and finance advisory committee member to the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority, is to be heartily thanked by all of us for the yeoman job of correlating all of the innumerable factors necessary to assist in identifying how the bridge, now under construction, will be financed.