Author: Garland Pollard

Mid-year check-in on real estate trends

Real estate enters slow season with high values As the season winds down and the summer real estate quiet begins, brokers are saying that Gasparilla Island is getting back to a pre-COVID market,...

Quiet Gilchrist, but overflowing Gasparilla Island State Park

June 13, 2024
Garland Pollard
Editorial

This weekend on Gasparilla Island was not a major holiday, just a plain old summer weekend. The weather was clear, and visitors came, while so many of our regulars have gone home. The tarpon crowd...

Lee Commissioners add last minute discussion of parking changes onto agenda

The news that parking in Boca Grande would be an agenda item at the Tuesday, June 4 Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting was a surprise to many in Boca Grande, including those opposed any...

The issue of parking raised, yet again

The issue of parking in Boca Grande came up, yet again. Like so many issues that involve the island, it came up after most of the seasonal regulars had left, and cannot be heard. A quick recap....

Lee County offers response to Boca Grande residents concerned about Gilchrist parking

In response to a number of letters sent by island residents concerning parking in Boca Grande, Lee County has released the following statement: “Thank you for taking the time to share your...

Lee officials again consider new parking regulations in Boca Grande

The contentious issue of new parking regulations in Boca Grande has some residents concerned that there could be new regulations in the works by Lee County officials. Over the weekend, emails and texts...

Sandbar music, notable visits on Memorial Day

It was an exceptionally busy weekend on Gasparilla Island and in Placida over the Memorial Day weekend. “We did patrols of the beach, regular marked vehicle patrol, foot patrols and golf cart,”...

First Baptist restored; holds first service since Hurricane Ian

On Sunday, First Baptist Church of Boca Grande held their first service in their sanctuary since Hurricane Ian. The church was destroyed during Ian, including the toppling of the top of the belfry....

TWO TARPON TOURNAMENT FINALS: ‘World’s Richest’ and Red Gill winners

The 2024 World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament concluded Thursday in Boca Grande. Overall, there were 133 tarpon caught on both days, 56 on the first day and 77 on the second. The winner, with 13 tarpon...

Take down the fence on 5th Street. Take a few steps.

If readers head to the end of 5th Street in Boca Grande, they will see a seaside attraction like no other. It is a wood fence, built completely across the whole length of the street, blocking access...