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November 10, 2026 | Leslie Lake | Featured

Ralph Cole departs Bradenton Beach Commission 

 BRADENTON BEACH – Ralph Cole ended his 11-year tenure as a Bradenton Beach commissioner at the conclusion of the Nov. 5 commission meeting.  Cole began serving as commissioner in 2015…

Community News

Anna Maria | Anna Maria Island | Bradenton Beach | Cortez | Holmes Beach | Manatee County | Schools | West Manatee Fire Rescue
November 5, 2026 | Rodney Kwiatkowski

Community saves short-term rental wedding plans

ANNA MARIA – Four days before their Oct. 10 wedding, Ken and Deni Schimpf learned that the short-term vacation rental property they booked as a wedding venue wasn’t zoned to host weddings. With guests arriving from as far away as Alaska, the couple feared their wedding was in jeopardy. West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR), the city of Anna Maria, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), CrossPointe Fellowship church and others worked together to find a solution. “The fire marshal t…
    November 5, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Moose members celebrate Halloween

    After hosting a children’s Halloween party on Oct. 17, Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188 in Bradenton Beach threw a Halloween party for the adult me…
    November 1, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Kirschner outlines plan to protect Rattlesnake Key

    While campaigning in Cortez, Kelly Kirschner said if he’s elected on Nov. 3, he will file legislation to further preserve the undeveloped Rattlesnake…
    October 27, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Former Seafood Shack site approved as longterm staging area for bridge replacement project 

    CORTEZ – Despite objections voiced by residents who said they were misled about how a portion of a county-owned property would be used, Manatee Count…
    October 27, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    FDOT hosts Cortez Bridge information session 

     CORTEZ – Construction on the new Cortez Bridge is expected to begin in early November, with the first visible work taking place on the water.&n…
    October 27, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Stone crab season off to a slow start in Cortez

    CORTEZ – Stone crab season is off to a slow start in Cortez, where restaurant managers say unusually clear water has kept the crabs hidden and out of…
    October 27, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Holmes Beach mayor’s race to be decided soon 

    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the winner of the Holmes Beach mayor’s race will be known at some point after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

      Entertainment

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

      AMI Chamber hosts Trail of Treats

      Dressed as a baby pirate, Elian Covarrubias and his parents, Nelda and Jaime, were costume contest winners. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

      Center’s first Trunk or Treat draws a large crowd

      This little one enjoyed the bubble maker during Trunk or Treat. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

      Halloween was Spooktacular on Bridge Street

      The “Thriller” flash mob performers scared the crowd at the end of their performance. – Leslie Lake | Sun

        Outdoors

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

        Planning a bonefishing adventure

        Inclement weather is always a possibility in the Bahamas, but early winter provides the best chances for success. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

        Turtle Watch Wednesday raises more than $37,000

        Turtle Watch volunteers Maureen Richmond and Lisa Picciano, with Lisa as “Journey” the sea turtle. – Leslie Lake | Sun

        The Friendliest Catch Fishing Fun Day

        Longtime tournament participant Joe Spath holds a 20-inch trout he landed while fishing with Capt. Rick Grassett. – Capt. Rick Grassett | Submitted

          Business

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

          Interest rates and normalization

          Island Express Care provides on-Island health care

          The Island Express Care ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Oct. 19. – Duncan Real Estate – Submitted

          Preserved cottage is Sato Real Estate’s new sales office

          The ribbon cutting ceremony took place in front of the preserved cottage. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

            Sports

            Football | Soccer

            Center’s summer campers learn skimboarding

            Parker, 7, and Cooper, 9, about to jump onto their skimboards. – Leslie Lake | Sun

            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

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