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Author: Garland Pollard

USPS responds to complaints about island postal service

In the last month, the Boca Beacon has received a number of complaints about missing packages and returned mail at the Boca Grande Post Office. The issues were so bad that someone took the time to...

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Q&A with Dr. John Fletemeyer, beach ecology expert

January 12, 2024
Garland Pollard
News

One of the nation’s biggest advocates for beaches is Dr. John Fletemeyer, a former research professor at Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research. A new resident of Useppa...

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Editorial: What is historic in Boca Grande?

The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board had only one item on the agenda Jan. 10, namely the designation of 446 4th Street East as officially “historic.” The building, which houses Bowen Construction...

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Chowder restaurants named for Jan. 19 Island School event at Beach Club

January 12, 2024
Garland Pollard
Community, Events

Dinner will soon be served. It is time for The Island School’s annual Chowder Dinner next Friday, Jan. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m., at The Gasparilla Inn Beach Club. The restaurants and eateries participating...

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446 4th Street East now officially historic

A frame storefront in Boca Grande, 446 4th Street East, is now officially a contributing building in the historic district. The Boca Grande Historic Preservation Board approved the designation....

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Bayou Bridge removed, for (almost) the last time

The temporary Bayou Bridge is mostly gone, at least temporarily. Wednesday, crews from Kelly Brothers Inc. were dismantling the center of the galvanized steel bridge, which partially sat on 7th...

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Island Auxiliary Communications system goes live

Wednesday, the Auxiliary Emergency Radio Communications System, or AUXCOMM system went live. The system was successfully tested by members of the Island EOC Emergency Communications & Interoperability...

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4-Digit Phone Book update time

The four digit … It’s the time of year to check on and update your listing in the 4-Digit Phone Book. Since 1991, the Boca Beacon has published this reference text, one of the last remaining...

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Lt. Michael Sawicki new sheriff in town; saying goodbye to Capt. Jeff Corkhill

Boca Grande has a new officer in charge of the island from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lt. Michael Sawicki. Lt. Sawicki (above, at right) is familiar with Boca Grande, having served as the reciprocal...

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Resolutions: Half made ‘em, some already broke them, but all resolve to return

As crowds thronged through Boca Grande on New Year’s Day, there was a festive tone, as the weather had broken and hit somewhere around 72, depending on where you were. While optimism for the New...

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