Recall signers threatened

ANNA MARIA — Some people who signed the first petition to recall City Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus are reporting threats, late-night phone calls and anonymous letters.

The names on the recall petition became public record when the first petitions were certified.

No one is willing to go on the record with their experiences, but as reports add up, the situation becomes difficult to ignore. More...

Three times the fireworks!

The Chiles Group will have one fireworks show per restaurant this year over the Fourth of July weekend. Each show starts shortly after dark.

The first display will be held on Friday, July 2, at the Mar Vista restaurant on Longboat Key, sponsored in part by the Longboat Observer Group, Moore’s Stone Crab restaurant and Cannons Marina. The fireworks go off the next night at the BeachHouse, in Bradenton Beach, and the final show will be held on the Fourth of July at the Sandbar, in Anna Maria. For more details,. Call Mar Vista at 383-2391, the BeachHouse at 778-8718 or the Sandbar at 778-8709. More...

Moratorium unanimously OK'd

ANNA MARIA — A moratorium on all development in the city’s conservation land use category is now in effect.

City commissioners heard the second reading of an ordinance establishing the moratorium at their June 24 commission meeting. The vote to approve the ordinance imposing the moratorium was unanimous. More...

Historic Green Village good to go

ANNA MARIA — Within a month, work on the Anna Maria Historic Green Village will begin on a site that includes four platted lots from 503 to 507 Pine Avenue.

The project includes the historic Rosedale Cottage that was constructed in about 1913 and the Sears Cottage that was moved to the property earlier this month. More...

Tourism board to request BP funds

In an effort to boost tourism, Manatee County will request $600,000 from BP to market the area as oil-free.

“The only oil down here is suntan oil,” said Larry White, who is retiring from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau this week.

He announced the request last week after Pinellas County requested $2 million, or 25 percent of its marketing budget, from BP. More...

Call for Bayfest art

ANNA MARIA — City Attorney Jim Dye is advising that the city’s not on the hook for the legal fees incurred by Commissioner Harry Stoltzfus when a complaint was lodged against him with the Florida Commission on Ethics.

Dye told city officials that he reviewed the cases submitted by Stoltzfus’ attorney asserting the right to recoup legal fees, discussed the matter with the Ethics Commission’s Office of General Counsel and reviewed the commission’s rules of procedure. More...

County officials explain oil preparations

ANNA MARIA — Manatee County is unlikely to face disastrous impact from the Deepwater Horizon runaway oil disaster. That’s the word that county officials brought to the June 24 city commission meeting.

“We are on the phone daily with the Coast Guard, which is in charge of what happens in our county,” said Natural Resources Department Director Charlie Hunsicker. “What that means is that we’re getting control of a bad situation and not relying on BP or the federal government. More...

Florida court case favors fishermen

A new Florida Supreme Court decision may make it easier for commercial fishermen to collect damages in court from BP and other companies associated with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

The court ruled last week that commercial fishermen have a right to collect damages under both state law and common law from a phosphate company that spilled pollutants into Tampa Bay. More...

Coquina Beach contract approved by county

BRADENTON – Manatee County commissioners approved the contract with United Park Services for the Coquina Beach concession Tuesday as an item on the consent agenda with no discussion.

“We’re excited to get started on it,” Mark Enoch, CFO of UPS said. “We plan to meet with Bradenton Beach officials to see what we can do. More...

Hundreds join in anti-oil protest

About 400 people took to the shoreline on Anna Maria Island on Saturday to draw a line in the sand against oil drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

Carrying signs saying “Crude awakening” and “Real slick, BP,” the peaceful protesters joined hands at high noon at Manatee beach and the Sandbar restaurant, many wearing black, the color of oil - and of mourning. More...

It’s tarpon season – show some respect

Tarpon season is here and anglers who rig properly, are patient and show a little respect to the fish and other fishermen can experience one of angling’s greatest pleasures. If you never tried tarpon fishing, the Island has some of the state’s top tarpon guides who can help you experience the thrill of a lifetime. There’s no better way to learn the ins and outs of this demanding sport than fishing with a professional. It is money well spent. More...

Low prices, low rates equal affordability

It seems almost unbelievable that, in spite of the national and world economy, two wars, a never ending national debt and an oil spill our real estate market should be surging ahead. But not only is this a fact of our local market, but the surge extends to the state of Florida as well. More...

Tropic Isle a favorite for families

Anna Maria Island is packed with overachievers. Sometimes I think the Island is the quintessential place where young, vibrant retirees go when they want to kick off their wingtips but still keep their laptops booted up. Michael and Michele Patrick, the owners of Tropic Isle Inn, have embraced this philosophy and are living their dream in the tropical mode.

Two years ago this month, the Patrick’s purchased the long-established Tropic Isle Inn in Bradenton Beach, saving Anna Maria from another condominium. More...

Investor nervousness builds

Investors love municipal bonds for their interest, which is free from federal taxation and free from taxation at the state level for residents of the state in which the issuing municipality is located. For those of us residing in Florida, where there is no state income tax, owning bonds issued from any municipality across the U.S. creates tax free income. More...