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Anna Maria General Store burglary suspect arrested
Anna Maria, Community News

Anna Maria General Store burglary suspect arrested

Aug 18, 2025 – Joe Hendricks
August 12, 2025
By Sun staff

Sun staffers earn first place awards

Two Anna Maria Island Sun staffers brought home first place awards in the 2025 Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest. Steve Borggren won first place in the Original Local Editorial Cart…
August 12, 2025
By Leslie Lake
CRA members discuss 2025-26 budget

CRA members discuss 2025-26 budget

BRADENTON BEACH – Com­munity Redevelopment Agency members discussed the proposed 2025-26 budget of $2,231,070 at a work meeting on Aug. 6 in prepara­tion for the next steps in the budget process – tw…
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August 12, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations

Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations

HOLMES BEACH – Director of Development Services Chad Minor presented planning com­missioners with a draft version of a new docking and mooring ordinance to review during their Aug. 6 meeting. When p…
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August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County

Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Government Ef­ficiency (DOGE) is auditing Manatee County’s finances. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the audit during his July 24 visit to Bra­denton, during w…
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August 5, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed

Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed

HOLMES BEACH – Prior to the start of the new school year on Monday, Aug. 11, new speed zone cameras have been installed near Anna Maria Elementary school. According to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, the…
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August 4, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Appeal hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking

Appeal hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking

BRADENTON BEACH – Attorneys for Luper Enterprises and the city of Bradenton Beach presented their opposing cases at a July 29 appeal hearing of a city commission’s deci­sion banning resort fee-based…
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July 30, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Cortez man dies in shooting at home

Cortez man dies in shooting at home

CORTEZ – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives are investigating a shooting incident that resulted in the death of 76-year-old Cortez resident Andrew “Drew” Douglas on Tuesday, July 29…
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July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

HOLMES BEACH – Concerns about advertising and logos placed on rented beach cabanas have been addressed to the mayor’s satisfaction and the city is not taking any additional steps to regulate cabana r…
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July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

ANNA MARIA – While discussing beach cabana rentals and other com­mercial activities occurring on public beaches, Mayor Mark Short said city code prohibits all commercial activity in beach areas that…
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July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

HOLMES BEACH – Divided and passionate about both critical funding decisions, city commis­sioners voted to increase the property tax millage rate and not increase the annual stormwater utility fee. T…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting