Author: Garland Pollard

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...

It’s a very good time to be here. But mind your step.

November 21, 2024
Garland Pollard
Community, Editorial

This week, the Engineering Committee of the Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority met to talk about the cost of the damage to the bridge during Helene and Milton. We will have extensive details about...

Sand deadline for Boca Grande is Nov. 29

November 20, 2024
Garland Pollard
News

Lee County Solid Waste asks Boca Grande residents to set all Hurricane Milton sand debris curbside by Friday, Nov.29. Collections will begin on Saturday, Nov. 30 and may take several days to complete. If...

Fish farm in federal waters off of Englewood would be first in Gulf

In the midst of worries about red tide and multiple hurricanes, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reopened public comment on a proposed fish farm in federal waters off the Englewood’s coast...

Disaster Fund now close to $3 million goal to help island

Now in 2nd week of check distribution, 260 donors The island Disaster Fund, set up to help local businesses and institutions recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, is now close to its $3 million...

A time of reality and true honesty, and a wait for rain

November 14, 2024
Garland Pollard
Editorial

It seems everyone on island is in hyper-reality mode: brutal honesty about everything, and a sort of practical determination to get things back to normal. As a newspaper, this kind of civic mood is...

Placida Bunk House on Charlotte County agenda Tuesday

November 8, 2024
Garland Pollard
Community, News

On Nov 12., the future of the old Placida Bunk House will be on the discussion for Charlotte County’s Commissioners. The final report was received for the 2024 update of the preservation plan...

Cleanup needed in aisle everywhere including downtown

November 7, 2024
Garland Pollard
Breaking News, News

Town trash still on county agenda; looking at options Three weeks after the departure of Hurricane Milton, there are piles of trash still littering the island. And where the piles have been cleaned...

A new (temporary) sandy ‘road’ along the Gulf front

November 7, 2024
Garland Pollard
Editorial

Many who love Florida travel know that in Daytona Beach, in Volusia County, there is a strip of beach where you can drive your car, and park it. The practice is a relic of the olden days of Florida,...