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...
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Fish on! Silver King fever to hit Boca Grande next week

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - The “big three” of Boca Grande tarpon tournaments will be held next weekend, May 17 through May 20, and it promises to be a weekend you’ll never forget. This year marks the renewal of the Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce’s World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, the second year of the biggest children’s tarpon tournament, and a date change for the Chamber’s Ladies Day Tarpon Tournament.

( 4 Votes )

Fust to close June 1 for renovations

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY LIZA STROUT - The packing has begun for the temporary closure of the Johann Fust Community Library. June 1 is the big day, and the staff and volunteers at the library are hard at work sorting and packing to be ready for the start of renovations.

The books are coming off the shelves, being inspected and one-by-one they are joining the growing piles of boxes in the library.

“The first day, I brought in 20 boxes, and we filled them,” said Michael Miller, administrator of the Johann Fust Library Foundation. “The second day I brought in 30. Today, I picked up 50 more boxes.”

( 2 Votes )

Fingers O’Bannon, Redbone tourneys held recently with local winners

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Boca Grande guides were running hot for the Raymond James Classic this year, which was hosted by the Gasparilla Inn & Club on May 3 and 4. Capt. Sandy Melvin and Capt. Mark Becton both took honors.
According to tournament officials, more than $97,000 was raised for cystic fibrosis research through the tournament this year.

The Grand Champion team included winning angler Ron Walker, his partner Michael Vaughn and their guide, Melvin. Walker caught the first slam, which includes a snook, redfish, tarpon and trout.
Angler Gary Head, on the boat with Becton, another local guide, also caught a slam and tallied the most points for the event.

( 1 Vote )

Tractor donated early to BIPS rangers

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

At its final board of directors meeting of the 2012 season, the Barrier Island Parks Society presented a special gift to the Florida Park Service … a John Deere industrial-strength tractor.

The tractor is to be used exclusively to support a number of park services at three of the state parks that BIPS supports – Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Land Base and Stump Pass Beach.

( 1 Vote )

Funds still needed for Wildflower tarpon project

11 May 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Want to help the Lemon Bay Conservancy learn more about our area’s juvenile tarpon? Buy a T-shirt at the downtown Tarpon Festival next weekend.

Lemon Bay Conservancy is working closely with the Boca Grande Chamber and Capt. Sandy Melvin as a “conservation partner” for the big four-day set of tarpon tournaments and the festival from May 17-20. The Lemon Bay Conservancy will be selling children’s tarpon tournament T-shirts on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, at the street festival.