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July 8, 2026 | Joe Hendricks | Featured

Anna Maria cabana rental discussions resume 

City officials plan to further revise the beach cabana rental regulations the city of Anna Maria enacted in March.

Community News

Anna Maria | Anna Maria Island | Bradenton Beach | Cortez | Holmes Beach | Manatee County | Schools | West Manatee Fire Rescue
June 30, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

Divided Holmes Beach Commission increases stormwater fee 

By a 3-2 vote, the Holmes Beach City Commission approved increasing the stormwater assessment rate from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.45 per 100 square feet.
    June 30, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Bradenton Beach Commission supports raising stormwater fee rate to $8 

    The Bradenton Beach City Commission has tentatively agreed to increase the annual stormwater fee rate rom $4.40 per 100 square feet of property to $8.
    June 22, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Anna Maria code enforcement manager reinstated 

    Code Enforcement Manager Tom Collins has returned to work after being placed on administrative leave while his workplace conduct was investigated.
    June 22, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    County Commission approves $6.18 million for beach renourishment 

    The Manatee County Commission approved the allocation of $6.18 million in tourist development tax revenues for beach renourishment.
    June 22, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Judge issues final order in 51st Street beach access dispute

    12th Circuit Court Judge Charles Sniffen has issued his final written order regarding a legal dispute over a long-utilized beach access path in Holme…
    June 22, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    City will pay former city attorney’s disputed invoices 

    The Bradenton Beach City Commission voted to pay former city attorney Ricinda Perry’s 2025 invoices for $167,674. 
    June 16, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    City Pier lease awarded to GSM Partners

    Brian Seymour, Ben Sato and Jason Sato have been awarded the lease for both Anna Maria City Pier buildings.

      Entertainment

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

      Swordfish Grill hosts Fourth of July hot dog eating contest

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

      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

        Outdoors

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

        Where’s Krysta? + AMI nesting news

        Suncoast Waterkeeper offering free PFAS water testing

        University of Florida researchers Isabella Cioffi, Tommy Sinkway and John Bowden, right, addressed the city of Holmes Beach’s Clean Water Ad Hoc Committee in September. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

        Dog days of summer arrive early

        Captain Rick Grassett leaned into an Anna Maria tarpon on a July day a few years ago. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

          Business

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

          Condo living for dummies

          Cortez Watersports owner optimistic about changes taking place

          Cortez Watersports rents WaveRunners, pontoon boats and kayaks. – Leslie Lake | Sun

          Happy birthday, America

            Sports

            Football | Soccer

            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

            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

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