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October 14, 2026 | Joe Hendricks | Featured

Three cabana rental franchise agreements awarded 

Anna Maria city commissioners awarded beach cabana rental-related franchise agreements to Beach Suites, CabanUp and My Beach Concierge.

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October 14, 2026 | SUN contributor

Ed Steenstra has crossed the sandbar

Ed Steenstra lived a life shaped by the water, the Island community, and an almost inexhaustible curiosity.
    October 6, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    LaRowe resigns before stepping into new role

    On Monday, Sept. 28, City Clerk and city administrator appointee Amber LaRowe submitted her resignation memo to Mayor Mark Short. 
    October 6, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Mayor addresses LaRowe resignation

    On Saturday, Oct. 3, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short discussed by phone the resignation of City Clerk and city administrator appointee Amber LaRowe. 
    October 6, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Bradenton Beach has a new police chief 

    Lenard Diaz is now officially serving as the Bradenton Beach police chief.
    October 6, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Voters being asked to vacate city-owned alley

     HOLMES BEACH – Ben ten Haaf, the owner of the vacant property at 2902 Ave. E, seeks voter approval to vacate a city-owned alley so he can build…
    October 6, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Cosby retires as Bradenton Beach police chief 

    John Cosby’s last day as Bradenton Beach police chief was Sept. 30.
    October 6, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Holmes Beach Commission candidates participate in forum

     HOLMES BEACH – The Sun hosted a Holmes Beach City Commission candidates forum at city hall on Thursday, Oct. 1.  The forum featured fir…

      Entertainment

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

       ‘Always a Bridesmaid’ opens Island Players’ Season

      “Always a Bridesmaid” features an all-female cast. – Island Players | Submitted

      Endless Summer Afterglow Party coming to Bridge Street

      Bridge Street will be closed to vehicular traffic during the street party. – Leslie Lake | Sun

      Bridge Street to be decked out for Halloween

      Stephanie Citro Hudson and Angela Rodocker, right, presented the Halloween decorating request and concept to the city commission. – Leslie Lake | Sun

        Outdoors

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

        Reel Time: Fall is in the air

        Capt. David White and his fiancée, Julia Bocox, with a couple of king mackerel caught while fishing with live bait off Anna Maria Island. – Capt. David White | Submitted

        Cortez stone crabber expecting a difficult season

        Cortez stone crabber Wayde Campbell discussed his expectations for the upcoming season. – Leslie Lake | Sun

        Where Waters Meet: Stories of Hope

          Business

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

          Homeownership is still attainable

           The housing market keeps getting tested

          Three companies seek beach cabana rental agreements in Anna Maria

          Beach cabana rentals in Anna Maria will soon be limited to franchise agreement holders only. – 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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