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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Letter to the Editor: Questions arise after GIBA board votes on continuing with referendum

27 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

As a Boca Grande property owner and voting Florida resident, I was taken aback by the level of frustration evinced during the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority quarterly board meeting held Wednesday afternoon, April 25.

( 2 Votes )

Letter to the Editor: Whidden's Back Bay coordinators say 'thanks'

27 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

To the Editor:

Thanks to everyone who fished, participated and helped with sponsorships including all of the following: Nat at Italiano Insurance and Dusty at the Boca Beacon for sponsoring our tournament t-shirts, which were beautifully designed by Daniel Godwin. Thanks to Patrick’s Thai Restaurant for the rules party and Sisters Restaurant, Paula and Lisa, for a great lunch after the fishing on the dock at Whidden’s.

( 0 Votes )

Obituary: Paula Johnson remembered, celebration scheduled for Mother's Day

27 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Paula Lynn Johnson was born in Mt. Clemens, Mich. on Feb. 16, 1947. She spent her childhood in Rochester and on the family farm in Curran, Mich.

After high school she worked as a corporate secretary, commuting between Detroit and Chicago. Disillusioned by the corporate lifestyle and a brief marriage, she began searching for a new direction. The search led her and a group of friends to the Self-Realization Fellowship Church (founded by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1920), where she married fellow church member Mike Machnik in 1971.

Following the birth of their son, Andy (2/14/72), they travelled in a converted panel truck to California, living a communal lifestyle with friends in a dome house in Mokelumne Hill.

( 8 Votes )

Profile: Thelma Proctor

27 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

Thelma Proctor is a Florida girl, born and raised in Osprey. She has built her career around the natural and historical resources of her home state, including her current job at Gasparilla Island State Park
It all started at the suggestion of the local Postmistress.

“I needed a job, it was as simple as that,” Thelma explained. “The Postmistress said that there was an opening at the park down the road, Oscar Scherer State Park. She suggested that I apply, so I did.”

( 0 Votes )

A smaller tender house, a change to catwalks?

20 April 2012 Marcy Shortuse

BY MARCY SHORTUSE - Downsizing tender houses and catwalks in competition for wider shoulders on the future swing bridge were topics of conversation that prevailed at the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority’s engineering committee meeting held on April 18.

The committee recommended approval of the bridge development report presented by Hardesty & Hanover, after lengthy discussion about cost-saving measures and making a few amendments. They also voted to allow the bridge-building company to continue on to the 60 percent phase of the design plan.