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August 18, 2026 | Joe Hendricks | Featured

Island voters help decide county, state and federal primary races

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island and Cortez voters helped decide the Republican primary winner in the countywide County Commission District 6 At-Large primary race won by Tara Poulton. Island…

Community News

Anna Maria | Anna Maria Island | Bradenton Beach | Cortez | Holmes Beach | Manatee County | Schools | West Manatee Fire Rescue
August 12, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

Major revisions to Anna Maria cabana rental regulations to be discussed Thursday

Major revisions to Anna Maria’s cabana rental regulations will be discussed Thursday morning.
    August 11, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Commission rejects proposed valet parking ordinance

    The Bradenton Beach Commission wants the current parking regulations enforced.
    August 11, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Anna Maria mayor provides hurricane recovery recap 

    ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria is currently facing a $2.3 million hurricane recovery reimbursement deficit, and Mayor Mark Short and city staff…
    August 11, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Anna Maria commission discusses citywide expenses

    ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners held another budget preparation workshop on Thursday, Aug. 6, and the workshop focused on citywide expe…
    August 11, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Smiles and hugs on the first day of school 

    HOLMES BEACH – There were hugs, smiles and some tears shed as students began their first day of the 2026-27 school year at Anna Maria Elementary Scho…
    August 11, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Mail voting, early voting underway in primary elections

    ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County Assistant Supervisor of Elections Sharon Stief provided an update on the number of vote-by-mail ballots sent to An…
    August 3, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Young woman dies after fall on Egmont Key 

    Twenty-year-old Victoria Zardoya later died after sustaining serious injuries when she fell from the ruins of old Fort Dade on Egmont Key on Friday…

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      Fourth of July parade returns to AMI 

      The Anna Maria Island Privateers hosted the Fourth of July parade. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

      Swordfish Grill hosts Fourth of July hot dog eating contest

      These were three of the eight hot dog eating contest participants. – Ernie Vanderwalt | Sun

        Outdoors

        Birds | Coast Lines | Environment | Fishing | Parks | Reel Time

        Beat the summer heat

        Brent Wilson, of Sarasota, with a nice snook he recently caught while night fishing. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

        Turtle Watch reports fatal hatchling disorientations

        Several hatchlings were rescued from disorientation and released near the Gulf. – Debbie Haynes | Submitted

        Shorebird nesting season coming to a close

        Two young least terns rested on Anna Maria Island. – Kathy Doddrigdge | Submitted

          Business

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          Book covers and old Florida

          The storm before the law

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            Center’s summer campers learn skimboarding

            Parker, 7, and Cooper, 9, about to jump onto their skimboards. – Leslie Lake | Sun

            Skim competition returns to Anna Maria

            The One Love AMI Skim Competition took place in Anna Maria. – The Center | Submitted

            Team Cablish & Gentile wins chamber golf tournament

            LaPensee Plumbing, Pools & Air owner Karen LaPensee tossed the bright green golf balls out of the hovering helicopter and one landed in the cup. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

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