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Beloved sandcastle artist booted from California beach by luxury hotel after nearly 20 years

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Beloved sandcastle artist booted from California beach by luxury hotel after nearly 20 years

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For nearly two decades, families posed for photos beside his towering sandcastles, couples got engaged in front of them, and holiday visitors returned year after year to see what he would build next.

Now, the man affectionately known as “The Sandcastle Man” is no longer building on the stretch of Southern California beach where he became a Coronado fixture.

Hotel del Coronado confirmed to Fox News Digital that it and sand artist Bill Pavlacka “have parted ways” effective Feb. 5, ending his nearly 20-year run crafting elaborate sculptures on Coronado Beach outside the historic resort.

“We can confirm that Hotel del Coronado and The Sandcastle Man have parted ways effective February 5. We wish The Sandcastle Man continued success,” a hotel spokesperson said in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

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Bill Pavlacka, known as “The Sandcastle Man,” poses beside one of his sand sculptures on Coronado Beach in California. The longtime beach fixture recently parted ways with the Hotel del Coronado after nearly two decades building on the resort’s beachfront. (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

The hotel did not provide any additional details about the decision.

Pavlacka’s sand creations, ranging from whimsical holiday displays to custom wedding proposals, anniversary tributes and birthday messages have long-drawn crowds along the iconic shoreline adjacent to San Diego.

The circumstances surrounding his departure were detailed in a letter and interview quotes reported by The San Diego Union-Tribune, as well as in statements Pavlacka shared on social media.

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The Union-Tribune reported that Pavlacka was formally notified in a letter from the hotel’s human resources director that he was no longer permitted to operate on hotel property. According to the newspaper, the letter said that in recent months a new incident had come to light “involving consumption of alcohol, resulting in a negative guest experience.”

TIKTOK-FAMOUS HOOTERS GIRLS BUILT VIRAL FOLLOWING, BUT LANDLORD HAD FINAL SAY ABOUT THEIR FUTURE

A sandcastle sculpture created by Bill Pavlacka sits on Coronado Beach in Southern California with the Hotel del Coronado in the background. Pavlacka has built proposal displays, holiday scenes and custom creations along the beachfront for nearly 20 years. (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

Pavlacka denied that allegation in an interview with the Union-Tribune.

“There was no alcohol. I don’t drink alcohol out there,” he said. “I asked the hotel guy who complained, ‘Did you see me drinking?’ He said, ‘We’re not going to go there.’ If they want me out of there, that’s OK. I’m not going to fight and argue with them.”

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The Union-Tribune also reported the letter stated Pavlacka was “no longer permitted to operate ‘The Sandcastle Man’ or any other business on the premises of the Hotel del Coronado… explicitly including the Hotel’s beach.”

The newspaper further reported that the hotel owns portions of the beachfront and, citing the California Coastal Commission, has the right to control that property so long as public access is not denied.

Pavlacka told the Union-Tribune he believes the decision may have been influenced by messages he sometimes carved into his sculptures. The newspaper reported the hotel letter said that as a condition of operating on the hotel’s beach property, Pavlacka’s sandcastle content was to be “neutral” and “free of political or controversial messages.”

Pavlacka said he had incorporated phrases such as “I believe in freedom of speech” and “I love democracy,” along with a quote attributed to Mark Twain: “Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.” 

He said the messages were interpreted as political.

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The historic Hotel del Coronado is seen in Coronado, Calif. The beachfront resort confirmed it has “parted ways” with longtime sand sculpture artist Bill Pavlacka, known locally as “The Sandcastle Man.” (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

“The hotel always says I do not work for them, but they kicked me off the property,” he told the Union-Tribune. “But I have tremendous support in San Diego and almost all the feedback I’ve gotten is positive. So I can’t understand why all of a sudden things changed.”

Local supporters echoed that sentiment.

“Bill is hardworking and quiet and never have we ever seen him drinking,” Kimberly Weed told the Coronado Times. “This is a huge loss for the people of San Diego, and everyone loves ‘The Sandcastle Man.’ Bring him back and appreciate the joy it brings people from all over the world.”

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Ken Fitzgerald told the outlet, “There is nothing controversial, much less offensive, about a quote from one of America’s greatest authors about the importance of truth and objective reality in our nation’s civic life.”

Pavlacka addressed the split in a Facebook post.

“After nearly two decades, Hotel del Coronado and I have parted ways. Building sandcastles in front of the hotel, and meeting guests from all over the world, has meant everything to me,” he wrote.

“While I’m saddened this chapter has ended, I’m excited for greater creative freedom ahead,” he added, directing supporters to find him “just north of the main lifeguard tower on Coronado Beach.”

The San Diego skyline from Centennial Park in Coronado, Calif. (Christopher A. Jones via Getty Images)

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In his interview with the Union-Tribune, Pavlacka said he plans to continue building sandcastles elsewhere.

“I won’t give up, I’ll still build sandcastles. It may not be here, it will be somewhere,” he said.

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Pavlacka also publishes a price list on “The Sandcastle Man” website. 

The page states: “Sandcastles and lessons on Hotel Del Coronado property must be pre-approved by the hotel.” It adds that prices are subject to change based on design complexity and may include add-ons such as music, lights, rose petals and travel fees.

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Pavlacka is currently seeking donations per his most recent Facebook post.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Pavlacka for additional comment.

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Utah

Firefighters protect homes in Eureka as Iron Fire burns uncontained in Juab County

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Firefighters protect homes in Eureka as Iron Fire burns uncontained in Juab County


Firefighters protected threatened homes in Eureka as the Iron Fire burned overnight, reporting that no structures were lost.

Officials with the Santaquin City Fire Department said firefighters focused their Saturday night efforts on protecting property from the wildfire after it spread over thousands of acres in Juab County. They released an update at 1:30 a.m. Sunday, saying no structures had been lost during the first part of the night.

“We can all let out a cautious sigh of relief for now. Because of the fire conditions and intensity of this fire, resources were focused mainly on structure protection. Those excellent efforts were successful in protecting the homes in Eureka,” fire officials said.

MORE | Iron Fire:

However, the noted that while the structures survived the night, the fire is still burning and 0% contained.

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The human-caused fire was discovered Friday just west of Eureka, on the border of Juab, Tooele and Utah Counties. Since then, it has grown to over 13,000 acres, prompting evacuations for the Town of Eureka and the ranches nearby.

Officials plan to brief the public at 8:30 a.m. on all new developments.

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Washington

Where to watch Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx on June 21: TV channel, start time and streaming

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The WNBA has returned with a brand new collective bargaining agreement and a league full of loaded rosters as the 2026 season tips off.

A rookie class headlined by Dallas Wings top pick Azzi Fudd, Minnesota’s Olivia Miles and Washington’s Lauren Betts is ready to make a mark in the pros while the defending champion Las Vegas Aces look to keep their dynasty alive with a fourth title in five years.

As the the season gets going under a new media rights deal, it can be tough to figure out which channel each team is playing on every night. Here’s everything you need to know to tune in when the Minnesota Lynx host the Washington Mystics on Sunday.

What time is Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx?

Tip off between the Minnesota Lynx and Washington Mystics is scheduled for 6 p.m. (ET) on Sunday, June 21.

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How to watch Washington Mystics vs Minnesota Lynx on Sunday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Sunday, June 21, 2026, at 6:09 a.m.

Watch the WNBA all season on Fubo

WNBA scores and results

See scores, results for all of today’s games .

See WNBA scores, results from June 20

Odds for WNBA games today

The latest WNBA odds can be found below from the best sports betting apps . Some odds may include games scheduled on future dates.

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Wyoming

How Investors May Respond To Black Hills (BKH) Customer‑Funded Wyoming Data Center Infrastructure Plan

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How Investors May Respond To Black Hills (BKH) Customer‑Funded Wyoming Data Center Infrastructure Plan


  • Black Hills Corp. recently reported continued progress on its proposed 1.8‑gigawatt data center project in Cheyenne, Wyoming, including equipment procurement, over US$200,000,000 in refundable customer construction contributions, and regulatory filings to support new substation infrastructure.
  • An interesting aspect is that the prospective large-load customer is directly funding long lead-time generation milestones and substation development, signaling strong commitment to this long-horizon Wyoming data center build.
  • We’ll now examine how this customer-backed generation plan for the Wyoming data center could reshape Black Hills’ investment narrative and risk profile.

This technology could replace computers: discover 31 stocks that are working to make quantum computing a reality.

Black Hills Investment Narrative Recap

To own Black Hills, you need to be comfortable with a regulated utility that is leaning into large, concentrated data center load as a key growth driver, while managing heavy capital needs and regulatory scrutiny. The Wyoming data center update, with over US$200,000,000 in refundable construction contributions and long lead-time equipment secured, supports the near term catalyst around data center backed growth, but it does not remove the core risks tied to execution, regulation, and load concentration.

The most relevant recent announcement is the pending all stock merger with NorthWestern Energy, which aims to create a larger, more diversified regulated utility platform and broaden infrastructure investment opportunities. For investors watching the Wyoming data center project, this potential combination could interact with the same catalyst of tech driven load growth while also reshaping how capital, regulatory exposure, and project risk are shared across a bigger footprint.

Yet behind this growth story, investors still need to be aware that the heavy capital expenditure burden and timing of regulatory recovery could…

Read the full narrative on Black Hills (it’s free!)

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Black Hills’ narrative projects $3.6 billion revenue and $578.3 million earnings by 2029. This requires 16.8% yearly revenue growth and about a $290 million earnings increase from $288.3 million today.

Uncover how Black Hills’ forecasts yield a $83.00 fair value, a 14% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

BKH 1-Year Stock Price Chart

Simply Wall St Community members have only two fair value estimates for Black Hills, ranging from about US$68.60 to US$83.00, underscoring how far apart personal models can be. Set against the Wyoming data center backed growth catalyst, this spread invites you to weigh different expectations about how concentrated tech load and regulatory decisions may shape future performance.

Explore 2 other fair value estimates on Black Hills – why the stock might be worth 6% less than the current price!

Reach Your Own Conclusion

Disagree with existing narratives? Extraordinary investment returns rarely come from following the herd, so go with your instincts.

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Interested In Other Possibilities?

Our top stock finds are flying under the radar-for now. Get in early:

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data
and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice.
It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your
financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data.
Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.
Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Valuation is complex, but we’re here to simplify it.

Discover if Black Hills might be undervalued or overvalued with our detailed analysis, featuring fair value estimates, potential risks, dividends, insider trades, and its financial condition.

Access Free Analysis

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@simplywallst.com

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