Burglary spree suspects nabbed

ANNA MARIA – An alert Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy foiled a burglary early Tuesday morning at the Waterfront Restaurant, 111 S. Bay Blvd., and may have solved a big part of the recent mini-crime wave on the Island.

It all began around 1:40 a.m. when Deputy Alan Judy, on his way back from patrolling at Rotten Ralph’s in Anna Maria, spotted a suspicious vehicle.

When he stopped to check it out, he heard glass breaking. He then spotted the two suspects running away. More...

Cumber sentenced to 13.5 years

HOLMES BEACH – William Cumber, the last person who reported seeing missing Haley’s Motel co-owner Sabine Musil-Buehler alive last November, was sentenced on Thursday to 13.5 years in jail for violating probation on a 2006 felony arson conviction.

Cumber, 39, had previously admitted violating his probation by leaving Manatee County without his probation officer’s consent. He was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Marion County on Dec. 22, 2008, three months after completing a 3.5-year prison sentence for setting fire to the home of a Manatee County woman whom he felt had scorned him, according to the arrest warrant. More...

Loggerhead nest count up in 2008

Florida’s most significant turtle species, the threatened loggerhead, laid more nests in 2008 than in 2007, but nesting is down for two other species, the green and the leatherback, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

Loggerheads laid 61,459 nests statewide last year, up from about 40,000 in 2007, but down from about 80,000 in 1998, turtle researcher Anne Meylan said. Over the past decade, loggerhead nests have decreased by 41 percent, according to commission statistics. More...

Weather shortens Relay for Life

Cancer survivors, business owners,women, children, the young and the elderly came together on the Island last Saturday and Sunday for one goal ­– to raise money to fight cancer. Several hundred people visited the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Coquina Beach’s parking lot to celebrate life and encourage others to help fight a disease that kills thousands each year in its many forms. Unfortunately, a nighttime rain and lightning storm forced participants to end the ceremony early, scratching overnight activities and a Sunday morning prayer service. More...

CVB: Target international tourists

ANNA MARIA – As the slow tourist season approaches and the economy remains sluggish, Island hoteliers should consider a "hands across the water" marketing approach to boost their business, tourism marketing officials say.

About 25 hoteliers, property managers and rental agents got their feet wet last week at an international marketing strategy meeting sponsored by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) at The Studio at Gulf and Pine. More...

Tourism faces budget crunch

HOLMES BEACH – As hurricane season approaches, tourism businesses also face potential economic storms, county officials told the Anna Maria Chamber of Commerce board last week.

With $25-30 million in cuts needed to balance next year’s county budget, the county faces "a bit of a challenge," Manatee County Administrator Ed Hunzecker said. More...

Robinson Preserve parking solution offered

BRADENTON – County officials may have a solution to the safety issue created by people parking at the Perico Bayou Bridge in order to go in the back trail entrance to Robinson Preserve.

"There was money set up for a roundabout at the entrance to Robinson Preserve, and it was taken off the shelf," Keith Bettcher, Manatee County Natural Resources Department administrator, explained. More...

Commission stands firm on outdoor dining

HOLMES BEACH – Although the query that brought outdoor dining back to the commission turned out to be a non-issue, it gave commissioners an opportunity to reconsider their position on non-conforming uses.

According to the ordinance, any restaurant owner who wants more outdoor seats can make an application to the building department. However, a restaurant that is in a residential zone, making it a nonconforming use, requires a variance from the board of adjustment to expand. More...

Island Weddings

Celebrate your wedding Island style. Use our wedding guide to help plan your celebration. More...

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Land of the silver mermaid

Part 2 of a 2 part series

It was in the mid to late 70s when the floodgates opened up in the area. It was a time when the world’s greatest fly anglers and guides made an annual May migration to Homosassa. Billy Pate, Joe Robinson, Al Pflueger, Captain Eddie Whiteman, Carl Navarre, John Emory, Captain Bill Curtis, Captain Dale Perez, Captain Steve Huff, Captain Jim Brewer, Tom Evans, Captain Cecil Keith Jr., baseball legend Ted Williams, Captain Nat Ragland and Captain Lee Baker were regulars. The fishing was so incredible that world records never made it to the IGFA record books because they were broken day after day. More...

New property tax amendments coming

Has there ever been a time since the creation of civilized societies that people haven’t talked about, revolted against and thoroughly despised taxes in all forms? Since I don’t expect this will change any time soon, the best we can do is stay informed and vote for or against proposed changes in the tax structure given the opportunity. In November of next year, there are proposed tax related amendment changes to the state constitution being placed on the ballot to consider and vote on. More...

Treatment tailored to patient

What do Alaska and Anna Maria have in common? Alaska has beautiful scenery and wildlife, and so does Anna Maria. Alaska has pretty much two seasons, cold and colder, and so does Anna Maria, only it’s warm and warmer; and just like Alaska, Anna Maria exists in its own little universe. No wonder that aside from needing a new wardrobe, the transition for Sandra Ashbrook from Alaska to Anna Maria was a breeze. More...

Making the stimulus work for you

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

Opinions about the recent federal action to spend money to provide a kick-in-the-pants to our economy are widely varied and definitely polarizing in conversation. It is not my objective to debate the merits or chances of success of any particular program here in The Sun with my 500 to 600 word allotment. I think a better use of this space is to cover some of the ways individual families and business owners can use the stimulus to their benefit, and, by extension, help the actions reach their desired effect. More...

Flag football action heats up as season winds down

As the last full week of the regular season came to a close on Saturday, the playoff picture is becoming clearer every day. Even though the season is winding down, the postseason is shaping up to be very exciting and competitive. On Saturday, May 30 the season will come to an end with the Super Bowl and All-Star games for each division played at the Community Center, including the awards ceremony after the last game. In addition to the games, the AMICC will be hosting an End of School Extravaganza to celebrate the conclusion of the school year and flag football season. The all day event will wrap-up the season in style and provide plenty of food, fun and entertainment for all ages. More...

Study of fire ants may help turtles

HOLMES BEACH — Fire ants can be problematic for turtles, as well as every other creature. The insects, which are native to South America, have few predators in Florida and other parts of the South.

"They pretty much take over everything," said Jaeson Clayborn, who is working in cooperation with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch to study ant behavior on this Island and on beaches to the north and south. "They predate turtle nests and can be quite troublesome." More...