New rules slash Cortez fleet

CORTEZ – New commercial grouper fishing regulations designed to save sea turtles have left some Cortez fishermen dead in the water, while some survive to fish another day.

Of the dozen grouper boats fishing out of Cortez, five will be able to use longlines under new rules passed by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council last week, said Glen Brooks, of the Gulf Fishermen’s Association. More...

$2.2 million in stimulus for Island

Anna Maria Island will receive $2,237,103 in federal stimulus funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for road improvements and sidewalks beginning this fall. More...

Budget goes to hearing

HOLMES BEACH – With the exception of Commissioner David Zaccagnino, commissioners last week expressed approval of the city’s 2009-10 proposed budget.

The budget of $7.8 million is a decrease of $262, 233 from the 2008-09 budget of $8.1 million. The proposed millage rate is 1.7549, which is the rolled-back rate, and an increase from last year’s millage of 1.5989. More...

Bowling tourney raises money for kids

By participating in the 19th annual O’Connor Bowling Challenge you are helping raise money for much needed equipment for Island kids at the Community Center.

This year’s bowling tournament will help the Center:

• Purchase competitive grade athletic equipment for its upcoming soccer, basketball, flag football, cheerleading and volleyball seasons for more than 600 participating children;
• Purchase a competitive volleyball net system for the gym;
• Purchase an audio sound system for the performing arts/dance room and family movie nights;
• Purchase blow-up bounce house type equipment for family fun days and birthday parties More...

Corona sentenced to four years

BRADENTON – Robert Corona was sentenced to four years in prison on Friday for stealing a car belonging to missing Haley’s Motel co-owner Sabine Musil-Buehler.

Corona, 38, pled no contest to grand theft of a motor vehicle, a third-degree felony, and misdemeanor charges of resisting, obstructing or opposing an officer without violence and no valid driver license. More...

City moves forward on cell tower ordinance

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission has agreed to have City Attorney Ricinda Perry tweak its telecommunications ordinance and then hire a consultant to make sure she covered all the bases.

At the city commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 6, Perry reported on the progress she has made while looking over the ordinance already on the books. She said it is sound and only needs a few changes to keep up with the changes in the industry. She also said she knew of three consultants who would advise the city at no charge. More...

Library mural honors book club member

HOLMES BEACH – Dolphins and manatees frolic, turtles and fishes swim lazily and seahorses and rays hover across the wall in the Island Branch Library’s new mural.

Painted by Island artist Pam Fortenberry, the mural honors Carol Kerr, a Friends Book Club member who passed away in January. It is located on the wall leading to the children’s room and ties in with a mural, also painted by Fortenberry, above the bookcases in the children’s room. More...

School to deal with swine flu possibility

HOLMES BEACH – Like all the other schools around the country, Anna Maria Elementary School is preparing for the possibility of a swine flu outbreak during the school year.

While there have been sporadic reports of swine flu in Manatee County with a small percentage of those resulting in death, health officials have said they expect more cases during the winter when the flu season officially starts. More...

Island-style weddings

Need help planning your special day? Consult our wedding section for vendors and specialists. More...

Late summer red fishing looms large

Late summer and early fall provide some of the area’s best red fishing opportunities and prime time is just around the corner. Look for schools to congregate over local flats where they can provide hot and challenging action. You can blind cast to likely spots in low light conditions, but I prefer to see my target. A bright sunny day affords optimal sight fishing conditions, but most days require a mix of the two methods. Getting in the water with the fish is the most productive way to target them. Not only does the angler present a lower profile, but he’s often fishing areas where even a shallow flats boat won’t reach. More...

The Bayou has the best of all worlds

The Bayou condominiums in Anna Maria have always one of my favorite places. Not only is it the oldest condo complex in the city of Anna Maria, built in 1973, it is by far one of the best locations on the north end of the Island. Situated at the tip of Pine Avenue across from the city pier, The Bayou borders a natural boat basin with access to the Gulf.

This unassuming complex contains 32 units housed in eight two-story buildings. The apartments are two bedroom and one bath, totaling 822 square feet each, with either a patio or balcony and some water views. However, one of the real values and attractions of The Bayou are the deeded boat slips available with the units, a fabulous amenity for vessels that can fit under the Bay Boulevard bridge. More...

Island plumber Mike LaPensee retires after 40 years

HOLMES BEACH – Mike LaPensee, of LaPensee Plumbing, spent the first four days of his retirement hanging around the office. The difference was that he didn’t have to be there and he didn’t have to stay.

"I plan on taking care of things at home," LaPensee said. "I’ve been retired four days and I cooked my first meal in awhile last night.

"I want to do things like that to free my wife, Karen, so we can spend our weekends traveling and doing things. And we’ve hired a field supervisor, Fred Wolfkill, to take over my duties." More...

Redefining your retirement goals

The 2008-2009 financial crisis and the impact on values of real estate and securities portfolios has caused huge ripple effects in the world of retirement planning, both from the standpoint of those who own the plan and those giving advice. More...

Sign up begins for Center soccer season

Soccer season for kids ages 4 to 16 starts soon at the Anna Maria Island Community Center and to help newcomers to the game, the Center is offering instruction.

Parents can sign their kids up for the league through Friday, Aug. 28, and they can learn new skills or refresh old ones at soccer camp between Aug. 26 and 28 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. More...

Storm tide troubles turtles

Lunar high tides combined with the passage of Tropical Storm Claudette in the Gulf caused problems for several sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island.

"We had several nests under water for a couple of hours," said Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch Director Suzi Fox. "It always freaks people out to see that, but turtle nests are usually OK with some wash over or even with water that stays over the nest for a little while." More...