def add_beacon(self, name, beacon_data):
        '''
        Add a beacon item
        '''

        data = {}
        data[name] = beacon_data

        if name in self._get_beacons(include_opts=False):
            comment = 'Cannot update beacon item {0}, ' \
                      'because it is configured in pillar.'.format(name)
            complete = False
        else:
            if name in self.opts['beacons']:
                comment = 'Updating settings for beacon ' \
                          'item: {0}'.format(name)
            else:
                comment = 'Added new beacon item: {0}'.format(name)
            complete = True
            self.opts['beacons'].update(data)

        # Fire the complete event back along with updated list of beacons
        evt = salt.utils.event.get_event('minion', opts=self.opts)
        evt.fire_event({'complete': complete, 'comment': comment,
                        'beacons': self.opts['beacons']},
                       tag='/salt/minion/minion_beacon_add_complete')

        return True