Author: Garland Pollard

Friends of Boca Grande move office to marine containers

December 19, 2024
Garland Pollard
Breaking News, News

Friends of Boca Grande are now operating out of old marine containers for offices, as they wait for repairs to the Boca Grande Community Center, which was flooded during hurricanes Helene and Milton....

Thankful at Christmas for all of the basics of the 20th century

December 19, 2024
Garland Pollard
Community, Editorial

Last Friday, the Good Gulf pink pump returned to Park Avenue, in front of Hudson’s Grocery. Monday, Hudson’s reopened. Thank you to the staff of Hudson’s, the Wise family, BGI Painting and so many...

New Visitor’s Guide welcomes back guests for 2025 season

As the island celebrates the opening of so many businesses and The Gasparilla Inn, there will be one more herald of the upcoming season, one that does not get as much attention. It is the yearly publishing...

No fluoride added to island water, ever

A new statewide push by State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo to discourage the fluoridation of Florida water will not affect residents of Boca Grande and Cape Haze, as the water here is not fluoridated. “We...

$4.5 million in road projects begin

December 5, 2024
Garland Pollard
Breaking News, News

This week, Lee County contractors began the process of repairing roads across Gasparilla Island as part of repairs from recent hurricanes. The $4.5 million project, which will take approximately...

Last pass for island hurricane debris begins Monday

December 5, 2024
Garland Pollard
Editorial

For folks returning to Gasparilla Island, large piles of hurricane debris lining Gasparilla Road have been the dominant image. While much of the debris has been removed, there is still plenty to go...

Disaster Fund now at $3.4 million; island biz, orgs get counsel

The Island Disaster Fund has already given $1.8 million away to aid the quick reopening and rebuilding of businesses and organizations on Gasparilla Island. As of this week, they have raised $3.35...

Bridge reviews long list of repairs at Engineering Committee meetup

November 28, 2024
Garland Pollard
Breaking News, News

In a long-term list of things that needed to be fixed after double hurricanes, the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority had some items that were easier and much more crowd-pleasing. “Dog biscuits...

Generous givers send Island Disaster Fund over $3 million goal

A fund to help island businesses is now over its initial $3 million goal, and has given out over $1.5 million to help jump start business re-openings across Gasparilla Island. “The people don’t...

Reminder: Cross-island hurricane debris dumps a felony

November 21, 2024
Garland Pollard
Breaking News, News

The island continues to have an issue with the dumping of hurricane debris, even as crews from the disaster recovery firm Crowder Gulf, contracted by Lee County, continue to pick up refuse on island...