Author: Garland Pollard

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...

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...

Bridgeless island access studied by Charlotte County; survey available

December 29, 2023
Garland Pollard
News

Charlotte County is conducting a formal feasibility survey to determine the need for access to the bridgeless barrier islands including Palm Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Don Pedro Island and Knight...

Carriers now live on Boca Grande cell tower

December 29, 2023
Garland Pollard
News

Verizon and T-Mobile are both sending signals from their new cell tower in Boca Grande. That according to a message from the site development team at Vertical Bridge, the Boca Raton-based operator...

Editorial: Bingo Prummelled on McCall Road

December 29, 2023
Garland Pollard
Editorial, Opinion

Raid sets standards for local retail shopping centers Just before Christmas, the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Gaming Control Commission executed a search warrant of two casino-style...

Rockin’ across the Causeway to little miss dynamite Brenda Lee

December 22, 2023
Garland Pollard
Editorial, Opinion

When traveling the Causeway, one might admit, if pressed, to playing a game of what song happens to be on the radio. If it is a good song (and a particularly good view of the water and sunset), it...

New season of Boca Grande Farmers Markets begins on Wheeler

December 21, 2023
Garland Pollard
News

Vendor Patrick Kasprik brought a paperback Penguin Classic version of a Greek play by Euripides to the Farmers Market last Friday, Dec. 13. No one knew how the bread sales would go at the first outing...

Residents, marine units help in Little Gasparilla fire

December 21, 2023
Garland Pollard
News, Police & Fire

Sheriff’s helicopter from Charlotte County assisted in the fire. Photo courtesy Boca Grande Fire Dept. A beach cottage at 9686 Privateer Road near the south end of Little Gasparilla Island...

A one-legged ibis visit, and his wedge near the waterworks

Last week, a subscriber came into the Beacon office to ask for help with a one-legged ibis. The ibis was stranded by his flock (or in bird lingo, a wedge, or congregation or stand of birds). People...

Hermitage offers beachfront preview of new work

December 15, 2023
Garland Pollard
Entertainment, News

The Hermitage Artist Retreat will preview a new arts program on Friday, Jan. 5 at 5 p.m. on the Hermitage Beach on Manasota Key. This new program will offer a glimpse into the creative process...