Hot, and getting hotter

BRADENTON BEACH – Summer may be winding down, but things are heating up in this little beachside community.

Thursday’s city commission meeting was a tense and turbulent affair that resulted in multiple city officials issuing emotionally charged remarks.

The meeting started on an off-note, when Bradenton Beach Mayor Bill Shearon introduced it as a work meeting instead of the regular commission meeting. More...

DNA analysis could yield Sabine clues

ANNA MARIA – With a trial looming next month, detectives investigating the 2008 disappearance of an Island motel owner are working against time and hoping for a break.

It’s a long shot, but they may have just caught one.

Women’s underwear found last week by crews installing water pipes on the farthest end of the Island is being tested for DNA that authorities hope is connected to the case of Sabine Musil-Buehler, who went missing just before Halloween six years ago. More...

Thieves nab equipment valued at $13,000

Holmes Beach Police are looking for the occupants of the white Dodge Dakota pickup in this photo who stole fishing equipment and tools from the garage at 8000 Marina Isles at 6:15 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 29.

According to police, the truck stopped at the residence to load two freezers set out for Waste Management to take. While there, they entered the victim’s closed garage and stole the items, estimated to be worth $13,000. A neighbor’s security system captures the burglars driving away in the truck. More...

Island Time remembers 9/11

BRADENTON BEACH – In memory and honor of the tragic events that unfolded on Sept. 11, 2001, the folks at Island Time Bar & Grill will host their fourth annual 9/11 memorial from noon until 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13.

“It’s our way of showing our appreciation for all the first responders,” said Island Time owner Bill Herlihy.

“We want our veterans, police officers, firemen and women, active military personnel, EMTs and others to know how much we appreciate what they do for their country and their communities. We don’t want to ever forget what happened, and we do this on the weekend so more people can attend,” Herlihy said. More...

Anna Maria candidates report donations

ANNA MARIA – The primary election is over and candidates for city commission and mayor have filed their financial reports. So far, the lots and yards have been free of candidate signs, but that’s expected to change soon. Here’s what the candidates filed in their latest reports.

Mayoral challenger Dan Murphy did not bring in any money during July to add to the $450 he loaned his campaign in June. He spent $394.12 in June for qualifying and campaign essentials such as decorations, signs, banners and T-shirts.

Mayor SueLynn loaned her campaign $200 on June 11, spent $96 to qualify on the same date and got $50 from former mayor Fran Barford and her husband, George, on July 25. More...

Campaign fundraising picks up

According to the most recent campaign finance reports, donors are becoming more active in the Bradenton Beach Ward 4 city commission race between incumbent commissioner Jan Vosburgh and challenger Tjet Martin.

During the period of Aug. 1-29, Vosburgh received $3,650 from eight donors: Laurie Higgins, Karen Clarke, David Teitelbaum, Doreen Flynn, Island Time Lodge, Silver Surf Beach Resort, Bridgewalk Partners LLC, and the Bridge Tender Inn. More...

Island voters prefer mail-in ballots

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Manatee County Supervisor of Elections Office has released the final numbers for the Tuesday, Aug. 26 primary election.

The 22 percent total voter turnout on the Island was slightly higher than the 20.6 percent turnout countywide, with more islanders voting by mail than voting in person.

In all, 1,103 of Anna Maria Island’s 5,013 registered voters participated in the primary election, with 526 voters (10.4 percent) casting ballots on primary election day, 560 (11.1 percent) voting by mail or absentee ballot, and 17 (.003 percent) voting early. More...

Clerk in crisis

BRADENTON BEACH – City Clerk Gia Lancaster was absent from work on Friday and Monday after she made emotionally charged remarks at Thursday’s commission meeting.

Without any explanation, she told commissioners, “I am shocked and dismayed and I come before you to answer any questions you might have. My personal life is my personal life. I am here to do a job that I am confident I can do.”

Lancaster said that she had no money other than the change in her pocket, which she produced for all to see. She also mentioned that her aunt had fallen into a coma. More...

Privateers schedule second invasion

The Second Annual Privateers Pirate Invasion will be held Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 1 and 2, at Coquina Beach and the Island’s favorite pirates are looking for cohorts to help them celebrate. The two-day event offers fun and games for kids of all ages plus vendors selling souvenirs and pirate necessities.

Enjoy food and live music. The Privateers are still booking bands for the event and they are also looking for vendors as well as other area crewes to participate. More...

Changing seasons

It’s September and subtle changes are beginning to reveal that a change of season is at hand. It’s hardly obvious at first, making itself known as a morning breeze with a touch of cool, and evening light that reveals a subtle glow. Gradually these changes will become more noticeable as will local anglers’ awareness of changes in the patterns of fish and the migration of bait. On September 4th, I had the opportunity to spend a morning on the waters of Sarasota Bay with Captain Rick Grassett and Steve Traves of Anna Maria Island Outfitters. We had been invited to go on a scouting mission with Grassett who was taking a much needed vacation after having hosted a group of fly fishermen on a trip to Montana during the month of August. Grassett needed to explore the bay to see what patterns were unfolding and we were happy to assist. More...

Citizens to reduce some insurance rates

A "milestone" generally refers to a landmark in your life or a special achievement that was your goal. Applying the word to the Florida insurance industry has an entirely different meaning which may not actually be considered a milestone.

In August the Citizens Property Insurance Corp. announced that it is expecting to reduce average rates in 2015, calling this a milestone for the Florida insurance market. Citizens' rates have increased every year since a rate freeze was lifted in 2009 giving them the highest rates in the nation. This indicates that the industry is finally approaching equilibrium after years of steady rate hikes. Citizens’ has stated that seven out of 10 customers of Citizens could see their bills go down assuming Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation gives their final approval. If the new rates are approved they will go into effect Feb. 1 well after this year’s hurricane season. More...

What to look for in an advisor

Investors have options when choosing a financial advisor to help them develop and implement their investment plan. Some of these are quantitative differences (how the advisor gets paid) and others more qualitative (personality, trust, integrity, etc.).

Let’s start with the quantitative decisions. Advisors generally fall into one of two categories, but some fall into both. The first category is “fee-only advisors”. These advisors maintain an agreement with their clients that specifies the rate of compensation for services. The services may be billed at a flat rate, or more commonly as a percentage of assets under management. These advisors are normally registered investment advisors that are required by federal and state regulations to disclose all conflicts of interest to their clients up-front. These advisors do not sell financial products for transaction-based or commission-based income. The fees paid directly by their clients are the sole source of income. More...

Sensational soccer

The adult co-ed spring soccer season comes to a climatic conclusion this week at the Anna Maria Island Community Center.

The soccer buzz is all over the world right now due to the FIFA World Cup in soccer. The most popular sport on planet earth has fans reeling and soccer fans on the Island are no different. What a perfect time for the conclusion of the Center’s adult soccer season.

Upsets were prevalent in last week’s first round of the playoffs. Three out of the four tournament playoff games were won by the underdog seeded team. Again this shows the parity of the Center’s drafting system in the sports leagues and how any team can win on any given night. More...