Cell tower debate simmers

ANNA MARIA – Commissioners last week were undecided on whether to revise their current cell tower ordinance or write a new one and asked their attorney to give them an opinion on the issue.

Mayor Mike Selby explained that the city hired Rusty Monroe, of The Center for Municipal Solutions, to review its cell tower ordinance, and "he said we should modernize our old ordinance and adopt an ordinance similar to Bradenton Beach. More...

Pines evoke residents' passion

ANNA MARIA – Passionate residents came before commissioners to plea for the Australian pines in Gulf Front Park last week, and commissioners listened.

Public Works Supervisor George McKay explained that at the commission's direction, he surveyed by mail 67 property owners near the park. He said four voted for removal of the pines, 16 said to leave them as is and one said to trim them only. More...

Check your tax bill before paying

Before you pay your Manatee County property tax bill, which most property owners received in the mail this month, it could pay to check it closely against last year's bill.

A state Constitutional amendment approved by Florida voters in 1992 called Save Our Homes caps the annual increase in the assessed value of homesteaded property. More...

Commissioner questions Green Village site plan

ANNA MARIA – Commissioner Dale Woodland questioned a site plan for 503/507 Pine Ave., the Historic Green Village, which allows for two residential buildings on one lot.

On Nov. 1, the planning and zoning board recommended approval of the site plan, which requested: More...

Churches offer Thanksgiving opportunity

While Thanksgiving is known as a family food event, its main purpose is to give thanks for all that we have.

From America's earliest days, prayers have preceded a large family gathering, often held to celebrate the autumn harvest. More...

Gulf Drive Café may open beach market

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission has conditionally approved a two-month trial period for a new outdoor market at the Gulf Drive Café on Sundays.

Bradenton Beach commissioners voted 3-1 on Thursday to allow a 60-day trial period for the market if the city's police chief agrees in writing to provide two officers to patrol the event. More...

Tourism money prioritized

The Manatee County Commission voted to amend the county's tourist development tax ordinance on Monday, prioritizing how funds are spent.

The 5 percent tourist development tax, imposed on hotels, motels, condominiums and other accommodations rented for six months or less, is the funding source for the county's $3.9 million tourism budget for 2012-13. More...

Boating buoys replaced

New boating safety buoys were anchored in the Gulf of Mexico off Anna Maria Island from Bean Point to Manatee County Public Beach last week, replacing buoys that were dislodged by storms.

The project will continue southward over the next month, according to Alan Lai Hipp, Manatee County Marine Resources Coordinator. More...

SandBlast 2011 a blast

The sand flew at SandBlast on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Manatee County Public Beach, where sand sculpting teams from area schools competed to raise $3,915 to support Keep Manatee Beautiful. The amount was less than last year due to $885 in state and county fees at the new location. More...

The monster bones of Aitutaki

Ian Dollery, director of the Aitutaki Bonefish Management Committee, told us to bring heavy fly tackle that could handle the large bonefish that swam this Cook Island atoll. My three choices were a nine weight, a 10 weight and an 11 weight. It didn't take long for me to find out that even with this tackle I could be defeated by some of the monster bones of Aitutaki. The recommendations were spot on, but there were times when the use of a floating line and bead chain flies was required. The high winds we experienced and the deeper water where the big bones often lurk required us to get our flies down quick much of the time. Most of the effective flies were variations of Clousers and the McVey Gotcha with large and medium weight lead eyes. More...

Review: The Hell's Bay Biscayne

I have to start this boat review with a disclosure. I've owned a Hell's Bay boat for close to eleven years and I count it among one of my prized possessions. When I got a call from Captain Todd Fuller with an offer to try out the Biscayne, Hell's Bay's newest boat, I jumped at the chance. Not only was there the opportunity to drive and fish the new model, but  I would also have the chance to meet and fish with Captain C.A. Richardson, host of "Flat's Class" a popular TV show that airs on Sun Sports, The Sportsman's Channel and The World Fishing Network. More...

Housing sales and taxes

Alice may have fallen down the rabbit hole of real estate several years ago, but she hasn't given up trying to climb back out. But, unfortunately for Alice, she decided not to move to Florida when she had the opportunity, because if she had she would be starting to see light at the end of the rabbit hole. More...

You're family at Popi's Place

Greek mythology is one of the reasons the Greek Islands remain both fascinating and mysterious to many of us, but to a couple who emigrated from those islands over 40 years ago it was just home. More...

Know thine enemy

Investment Corner By Tom Brieter

It goes without saying that investors are frustrated by several years of below average returns and high volatility. Obviously our goal is higher returns with lower volatility, so in a manner of speaking we have been in investment hell. It may be helpful if we can think of risk in terms of being permanent or temporary. More...

'We are the champions'

The AMICC youth soccer and adult basketball tourneys are over, and the champions have been crowned. Here are the results of what turned out to be two more great competitions to conclude the seasons. More...

Birthday bash – bones should have broken

Feasting on Fitness By ellen Jaffe Jones

Since I turned 28 and started running, I've always had a tradition I've tried to uphold – running (or walking) on my birthday, But the running part isn't happening this year. I'm still shaking my head about last week – one week ago as I write. Today is my 59th birthday. It is truly a miracle I can write and that I have no broken bones. More...