Kamala Harris

Joe Biden

Dean Phillips

Marianne Williamson

Donald Trump

Vivek Ramaswamy

Nikki Haley

Ron DeSantis

Cornel West

Robert F. Kennedy

2024 United States Presidential Election

The Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan program provides short-term, zero-interest working capital loans that are intended to “bridge the gap” between the time a disaster impacts a business and when a business has secured longer term recovery funding such as federally or commercially available loans, insurance claims or other resources. Loans made under this program are short-term, personal loans using State of Florida funds – they are …

Boca Grande

bocabeacon.com

Business and Real Estate: About the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan Program

An update from Gasparilla Water, and Ron Bolton, executive director. As work continues on the water main to the island on Cole Island in the Causeway, the staff continues to work to bring service back to the whole island, house by house. A reminder that there is a boil water notice for the island: 
We were able to restore water & sewer service to all of Boca Grande Isles this morning. 17 out of 20 sewer lift stations are operational.  14 are run…

Updates from Gasparilla Water from Thursday

Fort Myers, FL, Oct. 16, 2024 – Lee County now has drinking water and bags of ice available for Boca Grande residents at its comfort station that opened Tuesday at 240 Banyan St. at the rear parking lot of Island School and Community Center.

Drinking water and ice at Community Center

CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. (Oct. 16, 2024) – Charlotte County bridgeless barrier islands have reopened to residents and businesses, including Palm Island and Little Gasparilla. As residents return, we urge them to exercise caution: 
FPL continues to work to restore power. Use caution crossing Don Pedro Island’s Anne Merry Bridge. Many areas still contain debris and storm surge sand.

Bridgeless barrier islands reopen today

We are sad to announce that due to Milton’s impacts, Lee County Parks and Recreation needs to cancel the Fall Festival that was to be held Oct. 25. It was to be held at the now-damaged Boca Grande Community Center that afternoon.  Please help spread the word that this is canceled. Our Parks team looks forward to coming up with additional options for island families just as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Hurricanes

Fall Festival canceled due to hurricane damage

A Tuesday, Oct. 15 evening update on the island’s recovery: 
G.I.W.A was able to move water today to 7th street. The goal for tomorrow is to get all the way to 1st street. Three phase power was restored to the waste water plant and the pumping station and they are running. Two lift stations were started back up and are working.  Pipes were delivered for the repairs on the Causeway, which will begin tomorrow. Hurricane Plass distribution will be …

Briefly: Updates from Chief C.W. Blosser

Editor’s Note: The staff of the Gasparilla Island Water Association has been busy since Hurricane Milton. Not only is the water service off, but the sewer system was destroyed. Residents should not flush toilets in order to avoid overloading the system. A Monday evening email report from Executive Director Ron Bolton to the GIWA board included a number of promising items in returning service to the island. That event is still weeks away, but the…

Update on water service on the island; reminder on the sewer system

Lee County Facilities and Library staff were happy to see that the sandbags and plastic combination at the doors worked and the interior of the Island School had minimal water intrusion.  Mrs. Oliver and the Island School staff prepared the building pre-Milton and Lee County staff packed up the library and classroom books today. The books have no visible water damage and will be stored in a climate-controlled Lee County warehouse. A separate let…

Recovery note: Books saved at The Island School

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.— This week, Governor Ron DeSantis visited areas impacted by Hurricane Milton and made announcements related to state efforts to facilitate recovery following the storm. In Tampa, Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis awarded $1,000,000 through the Florida Disaster Fund to support 20 Hope Florida partners helping Floridians recover from the storms. These funds will be utilized by nonprofit organizations that are se…

Hurricane Milton

flgov.com

Governor Ron DeSantis Issues Updates on State Response and Recovery Efforts for Hurricane Milton

BY MARK DRISCOLL, CEO As we begin the long road to recovery following Hurricane Milton, we want to express our heartfelt concern for all of you who have been affected. We are relieved to share that our clinic staff is safe, though some have experienced personal losses like so many in our community. Despite these challenges, our dedicated team remains committed to providing care and support to you during this difficult time. The Boca Grande Healt…

Boca Grande Health Clinic post-Hurricane

The night of Monday, Oct. 14, a comet known as C/2023 A3, or Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, was photographed 45 minutes after sunset at the Boca Grande Lighthouse. See you again in 80,000 years.  Photo by Matt

News from Boca Grande