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July 15, 2026 | Leslie Lake | Featured

Causeway watercraft rentals remain a concern

The Palma Sola Causeway is part of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)-designated scenic highway that stretches from 75th Street W. and Manatee Avenue in Bradenton to Manatee Beach in Hol…

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Anna Maria | Anna Maria Island | Bradenton Beach | Cortez | Holmes Beach | Manatee County | Schools | West Manatee Fire Rescue
July 7, 2026 | Rodney Kwiatkowski

Understanding the scope of vacation rentals in Manatee County

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County commissioners are considering imposing stricter vacation rental regulations in the unincorporated areas of Manatee County that include Cortez and portions of west Bradenton. The three Anna Maria Island cities – Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach – adopted their respective short-term vacation rental regulations more than 10 years ago. The West Manatee Fire and Rescue District (WMFR) recently provided a map on which every dot represents a property t…
    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 $4.4…
    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. 

      Entertainment

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

      Fourth of July parade returns to AMI 

      The Anna Maria Island Privateers hosted the Fourth of July parade. – Joe Hendricks | Sun

      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

        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

        Manatee County lifeguards stress vigilance during busy summer months

        Lifeguard A.J. Nelson, Lt. Josh McCarthy and Lifeguard Noah Williams, from left, at Tower 1 on Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach. – Ernie Vanderwalt | 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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