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July 28, 2026 | Joe Hendricks | Featured

Public comment sought for Aqua’s proposed gabion wall

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Jacksonville District seeks public comment on the proposed construction of a gabion wall along the Long Bar Point/Sarasota Bay shoreline.

Community News

Anna Maria | Anna Maria Island | Bradenton Beach | Cortez | Holmes Beach | Manatee County | Schools | West Manatee Fire Rescue
July 28, 2026 | Ernie Vanderwalt

City hosts annual vacation rental stakeholders meeting

HOLMES BEACH – The Holmes Beach Code Compliance Department hosted its annual vacation rental stakeholders meeting on Tuesday, July 21. This year’s theme was “Preserving Paradise Through Partnership,” and the two-hour session held at Holmes Beach City Hall brought together vacation rental operators, property managers, property owners and representatives from the Holmes Beach Police Department, the Holmes Beach Code Compliance Department, the Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office, the Man…
    July 21, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Bradenton Beach stormwater fee increased 

    Bradenton Beach property owners will see their annual stormwater fee assessments increase from $4.40 to $8 per 100 square feet of property when the n…
    July 21, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Anna Maria Commission begins budget discussions

    The mayor and city commissioners kicked off their multi-meeting budget adoption process with a budget workshop on Thursday, July 16.
    July 21, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    Moose lodge donates $10,000 to police department

    Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge 2188 gave the city a $10,000 donation to purchase eight mini ballistic shields for the city’s police officers.
    July 15, 2026 | Leslie Lake

    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 M…
    July 14, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    Request to vacate city property to be placed on fall ballot

    HOLMES BEACH – In November, Holmes Beach’s registered voters will determine whether an undeveloped and vacant city-owned alley will be vacated to the…
    July 8, 2026 | Joe Hendricks

    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.

      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

        Salty Dawg: Two dolphins

        Organize your fishing gear

        Consider using downtime to organize your fishing tackle using one of many available systems. – Rusty Chinnis | Sun

        Salty Dawg: Wade In

          Business

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

          Izzy’s Place closes after less than five months 

          Izzy’s Place in Cortez is no longer open. – Leslie Lake | Sun

          El Niño and your equity

          StayTerra files amended lawsuit complaints

          StayTerra Vacations includes multiple Anna Maria Island brands. – StayTerra | Submitted

            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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