Boca Beacon

Through week ending: 7/8/26 Weekly turtle reports State Park Turtle Numbers Cayo Costa- 449 Loggerhead, 12 Green, 2 Leatherback Gasparilla- 26 Loggerhead Do ...

Community, News, Real Estate July 9, 2026 By Staff Report Detwiler’s Farm Market is coming to the City of North Port. The family-owned and operated chain of local grocery stores has signed a lease agreement on a 52,000-square-foot standalone store that will be built to anchor a new retail center coming to the northwest corner of Sumter Boulevard and Interstate 75. The news was announced […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

July 9, 2026 By Staff Report Each issue has recipes from local eateries The new Gasparilla Island Magazine is out. One of the highlights of the July/August Gasparilla magazine is a delectably patriotic blueberry-pineapple upside down cake, courtesy of Chef Theresa Falcone and Cape Haze Convenience Store. Pops of color created by the fresh blueberries and ruby maraschino cherries along with […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

Staff from the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority prepared last Friday for a busy Fourth of July weekend. On Saturday, they gave out American flags to all customers who came through the staffed toll lines. Photo by Garland

Breaking News, Community, Community History, News July 9, 2026 By Garland Pollard The Fourth of July holiday on Gasparilla Island attracted a large number of visitors, including the extended Thomas and Westerberg families, down from Sarasota. The family came to stay at The Gasparilla Inn, for a special 250th family gathering. They had their complete Revolutionary War genealogy down pat, and on family T-shirts, unique to each […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

Community, Community History, Featured News, News July 9, 2026 By Staff Report North Port will move forward with a plan to restore the main building at Warm Mineral Springs and restore its grounds. On Tuesday, North Port City Commission approved Ordinance No. 2026-19 on second reading during its July 7 meeting, authorizing a $4,082,133 budget amendment to fully fund the Warm Mineral Springs Park Building Rehabilitation Project. […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

Community History, Featured News, News July 9, 2026 By Anna Ridilla The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved a request to elevate the First Baptist Church of Boca Grande parsonage to help reduce future flood risk. The board also advanced a request to remove the historic designation from a house at 1000 10th Street West to a second hearing. The meeting on Wednesday, July 8 only […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

July 9, 2026 By Staff Report Decorated golf carts and waving flags highlighted a festive community celebration of American Spirit on Saturday, July 4. The traditional golf cart parade wound through downtown as it brought the spirit to life. Shown here, Joe Weir, Kathleen and J.T. Turner, Statue of Liberty, hot dogs and eagles all present and accounted for. Photos here. […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

Breaking News, Community, News, Sports & Outdoors July 9, 2026 By Staff Report Above, demolition of the Community Center’s multipurpose room began this week. Photo by Matt The Community Center playground, removed after hurricanes and during the renovation of the Boca Grande Community Center, will be an irrigated grass lawn until a new playground is installed in 2027. “A new play structure tentatively is scheduled to be installed […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.

Featured News, News, Police & Fire July 9, 2026 By Anna Ridilla Floater ‘drifts off’ near South Beach Tuesday, July 7 just after 1 p.m. there were two 911 calls regarding a motionless woman in the Gulf near South Beach Bar & Grille, about 25 yards from shore. Callers could see her from the shore, but were unsure of whether she was in distress or not, according […] Already a website subscriber? Login below.