Author: Garland Pollard

Slowly but surely, Palm Island recovers

July 13, 2023
Garland Pollard
Community, News

On a hot and only slightly breezy Friday in July, some visitors to Palm Island Resort were out playing pickleball. Another group was at Coconuts Cafe, the little shop below Rum Bay Restaurant, renting...

Weird summer weather these days includes something called a …

There’s yet another weather phenomenon beachgoers have to watch for in on the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the meteotsunami, a water wave seen June 21 on Clearwater Beach. The storm is another...

Blue crab trap closure relaxed

I n order to continue the process of removing debris from local waters due to Hurricane Ian, the state will allow blue crab traps to remain in situ through what was a planned closure period. The...

‘Baby Publix’ on Placida will soon have a pharmacy

July 13, 2023
Garland Pollard
Community, News

The Cape Haze Publix, officially Store 697, is planning to offer a pharmacy early this fall. Lindsey Willis, media relations manager for Publix for our southeast region, confirmed that the store...

Blazing hot weather doesn’t deter tourists who long for a quieter ‘season’

July 6, 2023
Garland Pollard
News

Julie Blakeslee and her sister-in-law Karen Blakeslee were visiting Boca Grande this week after the Fourth of July for one reason: to enjoy Gasparilla Island during the quiet season. “We don’t like...

Malaria cases put local mosquito control districts on alert

Southwest Florida made national news this week as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported four cases of locally acquired malaria in Sarasota County. “We need to keep our eyes...

Habitat for Humanity store reopening in Englewood

June 29, 2023
Garland Pollard
Community, News

The Englewood Habitat for Humanity ReStore, which has been closed since Hurricane Ian, is set to reopen on Wednesday, July 5. This week, more than two dozen volunteers were busy restocking the 12,000-square-foot...