Skip to main content
June 10, 2026 | Joe Hendricks | Featured

Gloria Dei rezoning application submitted 

The city of Holmes Beach received an application to rezone the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property to allow for up to 17 single-family homes.

Community News

Anna Maria | Anna Maria Island | Bradenton Beach | Cortez | Holmes Beach | Manatee County | Schools | West Manatee Fire Rescue
June 2, 2026 | SUN contributor

Holmes Beach: A planned community 

BY LAUREL NEVANS SPECIAL TO THE SUN HOLMES BEACH – When you hear the words “planned community,” they may evoke visions of homeowner’s associations, cookie-cutter houses and things like that.  But actually, that type of planned community did not become popular until the 1960s, long after the community of Holmes Beach was established. Holmes Beach is a good example of the earlier type of suburban planning utilized after World War II ended in 1945.  A 1957 plat map of Holmes Bea…
    June 2, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Holmes Beach Code Compliance Department honored

    The week of June 1 through June 7 has been proclaimed as Code Enforcement Officers’ Appreciation Week in Holmes Beach.
    June 2, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Driver towing boat cited for Memorial Day accident

    The driver towing a boat that was struck on Memorial Day morning by another vehicle on Manatee Avenue was determined by police to be at fault for the…
    June 2, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Sea oats planted along Anna Maria shoreline

    ANNA MARIA – On Saturday, May 23, volunteers planted 4,000 sea oats along the Gulf shoreline in Anna Maria.  Anna Maria Public Works Manager…
    May 29, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Public works supervisor provides rainfall, flooding update

    This story was updated at 7 p.m. on May 29 regarding Dan Diggin’s suggested stormwater fee calculation method. HOLMES BEACH – On Thursday, May 28…
    May 27, 2026 | Rodney Kwiatkowski

    Before the call comes in: Designate a ‘Water Watcher’

    West Manatee Fire Rescue recommends designating a water watcher to monitor children’s swimming activities at pools and beaches.
    May 26, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    City investigated treasurer’s credit card expenditures 

    ANNA MARIA – Public records obtained from the city clerk’s office provide more details about the credit card expenditures referenced in the lawsuit c…

      Entertainment

      Beach Nutz | Clubs | Events | Festivals | Food | Markets | Museums | Music | Parades | Theater

      Island Players bid farewell to beloved director and actor

      In 2025, Valerie Lipscomb and Jim Thaggard starred in “Death by Design.” – Joe Hendricks | Sun

      Beach Nutz

      Learn about sea turtles at weekly Turtle Talks

      Turtle Watch volunteer Peggy Welch discussed sea turtle nesting habits. – Leslie Lake | Sun

        Outdoors

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

        Game-changing trolling motors

        The new Power-Pole Move PV features a digital readout right on the housing and indicator lights on the head to provide anglers with all the information they need with a glance allowing them to concentrate on catching fish. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

        Profiles In Conservation: John Kolojeski

        John Kolojeski listened to scientists from the Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay estuary programs speak during the Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee’s partner workshop in April. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

        Reel Time: Profiles in Conservation

        The threat to local waters is clear in this drone image of the lyngbya (Dapis pleousa) bloom from 2020. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

          Business

          Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce | Castles in the Sand | Retail | Restaurants | Bars | Real estate | Development | Tourism

          Does your family have a pot of gold?

          Why can’t so many buy a home?

          A mortgage tutorial

            Sports

            Football | Soccer

            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

            Pat Carlucci discusses ‘Baseball in Paradise’

            Anna Maria Island Historical Society board member Carolyn Orshak visited with Pat Carlucci during his book signing at the museum. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

            CENTER SCOREBOARD: Reel Coastal Properties claims flag football title

            Reel Coastal Properties won the The Center’s flag football championship. – The Center | Submitted

              Upcoming Events

              Photo Galleries

              Opinion