Month: July 2025

Cortez man dies in shooting at home

Written by Leslie Lake on July 30, 2025. Posted in Community News, Cortez.

CORTEZ – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) detectives are investigating a shooting incident that resulted in the death of 76-year-old Cortez resident Andrew “Drew” Douglas on Tuesday, July 29.

Deputies responded to a report of a shooting inside a home in the 12300 block of Baypointe Terrace shortly before noon. Upon arrival, they encountered 35-year-old Ian Douglas rendering aid to his father, who had been shot once in the neck, according to MCSO.

Emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures on Andrew Douglas, but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m.

Ian Douglas reportedly told deputies he was showing his father a handgun when it accidentally went off. After further investigation, detectives charged Ian Douglas with manslaughter by culpable negligence. He was booked into the Manatee County Jail.

As of Wednesday morning, t

Holmes Beach officials decline to increase beach cabana regulations

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Concerns about advertising and logos placed on rented beach cabanas have been addressed to the mayor’s satisfaction and the city is not taking any additional steps to regulate cabana rentals.

At the request of Commissioner Carol Whitmore, cabana rentals and commercial beach activities were discussed during the Holmes Beach commission’s July 25 meeting as a follow-up to a previous discussion Mayor Judy Titsworth initiated on June 24.

During the June meeting, Titsworth said city’s code compliance officers asked the beach cabana rental companies to remove all advertisements and signage from their cabanas because the city’s sign ordinance prohibits advertising on the beach. The cabana companies were given until June 27 comply. Titsworth also expressed concerns about some cabana rental companies staking out prime beach areas by setting up cabanas that had not been reserved and in advance offering them for rent, and about commercial activity on public lands in general.

When the July 25 discussion began, Whitmore said she wanted to get a better understanding of how the cabana rental companies operate. She also questioned whether the city’s sign ordinance could be amended to assist businesses that provide a beneficial service to beachgoers.

“I think we’re trying to fix a problem that’s not broken,” Commission Chair Dan Diggins said. “I don’t like the idea of putting all these restrictions on people. We don’t do this to the golf cart folks. We don’t do it to Uber Eats. We don’t do it to anybody else, so why would we do it here? It’s a thriving business. They provide a great service to the community and tourism. The equipment is outstanding and most of it’s better than the crap people buy at Walmart and leave in the trash container or leave on the beach for somebody else to clean up.”

Regarding her previously stated beach advertising concerns, Titsworth said, “It’s fixed. We don’t have an issue with renting equipment and putting it on the beach. It was the signs. We have a sign ordinance that doesn’t allow advertising on the beach. They just can’t stake out ground ahead of time with their signs and QR codes saying, ‘rent me.’ ”

When addressing the many cabana company owners and employees in attendance, Titsworth said, “You can ruin something by too much of a good thing and I think we’ve all seen that. It’s one thing to have one cabana company that promises not to advertise and start putting stuff out (unreserved). It’s another thing when you walk the beach and see every single company with tents galore. Get rid of the advertising. We’re OK if you’re out there, but the minute you take it too far we’re going to have residents saying ban all tents on the beach. Everyone needs to try to reel it in. Let’s try not to graffiti the beaches.”

Commissioner Terry Schaefer said, “There’s never been opposition to the service. The whole issue was about advertising and pre-placement.”

He noted at least one cabana rental company was recorded placing unreserved cabanas on the beach.

“Not only do I see a benefit, I see providers who really want to engage,” Commissioner Steve Oelfke said.

He questioned if there’s more the city can do to ensure that those who have insurance and properly secure their cabanas aren’t negatively impacted by those who don’t. He also suggested a future commission work session discussion about the bigger issue of commerce on the beach and how to possibly preempt future unwanted beach commerce activities.

“I’m not touching that sign ordinance,” Commissioner Carol Soustek said, and she agreed with Oelfke about a beach commerce work session discussion and discussing how other coastal cities address those activities.

During public input, My Beach Concierge owner Perry Heldreth restated some comments he made a day earlier at the Anna Maria city commission meeting. He said the cabana rental company he and his wife Rebecca operate island-wide has a business license, a retail sales certificate, a multi-million dollar liability policy and workers’ compensation insurance.

“We try to do everything aboveboard,” he said.

Heldreth said the My Beach Concierge logo is nationally trademarked, similar to Tommy Bahama, and he questioned whether that allows their logo to remain on their Holmes Beach cabanas.

When addressing that question later, Development Services Director Chad Minor said, “If it’s commercial advertising, by ordinance, it’s prohibited on our beach.”

Unable to wait for the cabana discussion because she had to get to her full-time job in Tampa, AMI Cabanas owner Sarah Moreno spoke during general public comment at beginning of the meeting. Moreno said she’s an Island native and AMI Cabanas is a family business with only 10 cabanas. She supports de-branding rented cabanas and requiring cabana rental companies to be licensed and insured.

“There are some yahoos out there doing it wrong,” she said. “We are an LLC. We’re licensed. We have insurance. We do it right and we just ask that we are able to continue do it right.”

Commercial activity on Anna Maria beaches prohibited

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – While discussing beach cabana rentals and other commercial activities occurring on public beaches, Mayor Mark Short said city code prohibits all commercial activity in beach areas that carry the city’s coastal conservation or recreation open space zoning designations.

During the July 24 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, commissioners, cabana rental company owners and employees and the public were also informed that multi-legged cabanas and tents of any kind, commercial or personal, are not allowed in coastal conservation-zoned areas.

According to the color-coded zoning map included in the meeting packet, the coastal conservation zones highlighted in green include the entire public shoreline from Magnolia Avenue to the northern tip of Bean Point. The recreation open space zones highlighted in blue include the Bayfront Park and City Pier shorelines.

“We have an ordinance on the books that addresses what is permitted in the blue and green areas. The ordinance does not provide for the conduct of any commercial activity in either the coastal conservation zone area or the recreational zone area,” Short said.

Participating by phone, City Attorney Becky Vose said the city controls the public beaches and state and federal laws don’t restrict a city’s ability to regulate commercial activities. In regard to privately-owned beaches not regulated by the city, Vose said the upland property owner owns the land up to the mean high-water line and rented or personally-owned tents and cabanas can be set up on privately-owned beachfront property.

Vose said her law firm represents six beach communities throughout the state and each one regulates commercial beach activities differently. She said the city of Cocoa Beach allows a limited number of beach vendors to enter into 7-year agreements with the city and if they don’t comply with the city’s insurance, operational and cleaning requirements, those agreements are nullified and offered to another vendor.

Regarding city-regulated beaches, Vose said the city has a great deal of flexibility and can pretty much do what it wants.

“Right now, you do not permit any commercial activity,” she said. “The city has not been enforcing those requirements, but that doesn’t mean you couldn’t start. You need to decide how you want to handle these and give direction to staff. We can either draft new ordinances or we can enforce what we have. There is no compulsion under state law or city code to allow any commercial uses on the beach.”

Commissioner Charlie Salem asked Vose to explain any restrictions that apply specifically to the coastal conservation-zoned areas. Vose said the only shelter-like item allowed in a coastal conservation zone is a single-pole umbrella or something similar. She said multi-legged tents and cabanas are not allowed in coastal conservation zones but that’s something the commission could change.

Regarding commercial activity, Vose said any changes desired by the mayor and commission need to be clearly written to continue prohibiting any unwanted commercial activity such as food vendors and other types of rentals.

“You can regulate all of those things and you can prohibit them also,” Vose said.

Participating by phone, Commissioner John Lynch said, “We have a multi-layer problem that we’re trying to solve. We’re not current enforcing the current code, so I think there’s a bunch of work we need to do.”

When opening the discussion for public input, Salem said, “Think of this as your opportunity to help us start thinking about the issues involved on any side of this issue.”

In response to a question from city resident Wendy Smith about boat-based vendors, Short said the city’s jurisdiction only extends 10 feet into the water, with the exception of the vessel exclusion zone offshore of Bayfront Park where motorized vessels are prohibited.

Addressing a concern previously raised in Holmes Beach, My Beach Concierge owner Peery Heldreth said none of the cabana vendors in the commission chambers that day are setting up cabanas that aren’t reserved in advance. Heldreth said his company has a state license, pays monthly sales taxes, carries liability insurance and workers’ compensation insurance. Peery said his company doesn’t set up cabanas on Bean Point. He said his cabanas are commercial grade and he pays his employees $20 an hour, plus tips. He requires his employees to pick up any trash they see on the beach and they’re instructed to stay clear of sea turtle nests. Heldreth asked the mayor and commission to allow the current cabana rental activities to continue while the commission works through these issues.

Anna Maria resident David Ridley said cabanas and tents help protect people from getting skin cancer.

Commissioner Gary McMullen said the city is not enforcing the ordinances on the books and the city hasn’t prevented anyone from putting up a cabana or a tent, but the commission now needs to decide if the existing regulations will be enforced or changed. Short said the commissioners must first decide at a future meeting if they want to keep the current regulations.

“I do want to be clear about one thing. This is not about just the cabanas. This is about commercial activity in general on the beaches,” Short said. “I don’t want our beaches to turn into the Manatee Avenue causeway. I don’t want horses on the beach. I don’t even want dogs on the beach.”

Dogs are not allowed on Anna Maria Island beaches.

Holmes Beach millage rate increasing, stormwater fee remains same

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Divided and passionate about both critical funding decisions, city commissioners voted to increase the property tax millage rate and not increase the annual stormwater utility fee.

The millage increase decision was made during the commission’s July 25 special meeting, when the 2.1812 maximum millage rate was adopted for the 2025-26 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1. The stormwater fee decision was made during the regular commission meeting that followed.

Millage rate

The proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget prepared by City Treasurer Julie Marcotte anticipates $23.9 million in matching city expenditures and revenues – a $1.3 million decrease from the $25.2 million listed in the current fiscal year budget.

Applying the 2.1812 maximum millage rate, Marcotte anticipates the city receiving $6.73 million in ad valorem property tax revenues in the coming fiscal year – a slight increase from the $6.7 million in the current fiscal year.

Increasing the millage rate from the current 1.99 mills to 2.1812 mills will offset the 8.33% decline in aggregate property values experienced in Holmes Beach. Property owners will pay $2.18 per every $1,000 of assessed property value and due to lower property values, most property owners will pay about the same next year as they did this year.

During public input, resident Margie Motzer said the city budget increased 212% between 2012 and 2024.

Resident Nancy Deal said the city of Bradenton Beach isn’t raising its current 2.3329 millage rate and is delaying projects and personnel hirings to help offset the decreased property values and property tax revenues. Deal said she lost a car during the 2024 hurricanes and would like to buy a new one but that purchase must wait. She suggested the mayor and commission take a similar approach to their budgetary decisions.

“I hope you can listen to what the residents have to say about how hard it is right now,” she said.

Resident Renee Ferguson said, “As far as the millage is concerned, it just doesn’t seem appropriate to raise it now. People are suffering. A lot of us had to go into our pensions and our savings because the insurance companies didn’t cover a lot of the expenses we incurred. Asking the people to tighten their belts seems unfair. I think the city really has to think about tightening theirs.”

Regarding the proposed millage increase, Commissioner Carol Whitmore said, “The citizens can’t handle it. I can’t handle it. I had to break into my IRA to get an air conditioner. I don’t have insurance because I can’t afford it. We’ve all been through hell. We can’t do this to our citizens this year. We have to be more conservative.”

Commissioners Dan Diggins, Terry Schaefer and Carol Soustek noted the maximum millage rate could still be lowered before the final budget adoption occurs in September, but Mayor Judy Titsworth said the proposed budget is based on the 2.1812 millage rate.

Soustek, Schaefer and Commissioner Steve Oelfke voted in favor of setting the maximum millage rate at 2.1812 mills and Whitmore and Diggins opposed it.

Stormwater fee

Schaefer and Diggins supported the proposed $2 stormwater fee increase and Oelfke, Soustek and Whitmore opposed it.

In June, Public Works Director Sage Kamiya proposed increasing the annual stormwater fee from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95 or $9 per 100 square feet. He said the $9 rate would help fund $21.9 million in complaint-driven drainage and stormwater projects over the next five years, with matching grants provided by other agencies covering a significant share of those costs.

During the July 25 commission meeting, Kamiya proposed tiered annual increases that would begin with an increase of $2 per 100 square feet in the coming fiscal year, potentially followed by additional $2 increases during the next two fiscal years and $1-per-year increases during the two years after that.

According to Kamiya, the current $2.95 rate will generate an estimated $862,453 in stormwater fee revenues during the coming fiscal year and a signification portion of that money will be used to maintain the existing stormwater system. Not increasing the fee will limit the city’s pursuit of drainage and stormwater improvements and matching grants and some projects included in Kamiya’s $21.9 million potential projects list will be delayed or discarded.

“Stormwater management is important when you live on a barrier island,” Titsworth said. “That $800,000 isn’t going to buy you very much.”

Oelfke said the city needs to do what it can to support and retain the permanent residents that help create the city’s heritage and culture.

“If it saves one homeowner from moving, it’s worth holding off,” he said of the proposed increase.

Schaefer said the owner of a 5,000-square-foot property currently pays a $147 annual stormwater fee. He said a $2 increase would result in a $247 stormwater fee; and the owner of a 7,500-square-foot property would see their stormwater fee increase from $221 to $371.

Regarding the stormwater-related recommendations made by Kamiya and the city’s contracted stormwater engineer, Herb Raybourn, Schafer said, “I believe we’d be remiss if we didn’t pay attention to these warnings.”

Schaefer said the city should stop spending money on consultants if the commission isn’t going to follow their advice.

After saying she respects Kamiya’s expertise and understands the importance of the city’s stormwater system, Soustek said, “This year, I have had a very hard time, along with everybody else. It’s taken a tremendous amount of insurance money and private money and I can’t, right now, give any more money.”

When expressing his opposition to the stormwater fee increase, resident Win Bishop said the mayor and commissioners need to be more financially responsible by decreasing expenditures and using reserve funds to pay for stormwater improvements.

“There isn’t that many of us that still live on the Island, but you might want to consider what we want,” he said.

Anna Maria millage rate maintained, stormwater fee increase proposed

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – The mayor and city commissioners plan to maintain the current 1.65 property tax millage rate for the 2025-26 fiscal year that begins on Oct. 1 and they’re leaning toward increasing the annual stormwater utility assessment fee from $2 per 100 square feet of property to $4.

Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short presented these budget considerations to city commissioners on July 24. Commissioners Kathy Morgan-Johnson, John Lynch (participating by phone), Gary McMullen and Charlie Salem unanimously supported Short’s recommendation to adopt a tentative maximum millage rate of 1.65 mills for the coming fiscal year. Commissioner Chris Arendt was vacationing and didn’t attend the meeting.

The adopted tentative maximum millage rate can be lowered before the final millage rate is adopted during two budget hearings in September, but the 2025-26 fiscal year budget being crafted by the mayor and city staff is based on maintaining the current 1.65 millage rate for another year.

At 1.65 mills, Anna Maria property owners will again pay $1.65 per every thousand dollars of assessed property value – after homestead exemptions and other tax-reducing exemptions are applied. Because the total assessed property values in Anna Maria increased cumulatively by 3%, most Anna Maria property owners will experience a slight property tax increase at the same millage rate.

Stormwater fee

When proposing increasing the stormwater utility fee from $2 to $4 per 100 square feet of property, Short said it would result in the stormwater fee for a 7,500-square-foot residential property increasing from $150 to $300, with the city’s anticipated stormwater utility fee revenues increasing from $328,000 to $656,000. Stormwater fee revenues are used to maintain and improve the city’s drainage and stormwater systems and they also provide matching funds for the stormwater grants that help fund those projects.

Short said Public Works Manager Dean Jones has identified more than $15 million in stormwater and drainage projects and improvements that need to be done.

“We have significant stormwater work we need to do, just like every other city on this Island. Some of that needs to be done now, some of that can be done later,” Short said.

A formal vote was not taken on the stormwater fee increase, but commissioners Johnson, Lynch and McMullen voted in favor of directing City Clerk Amber LaRowe to use a third-party firm to distribute letters to all potentially impacted Anna Maria property owners informing them of the proposed increase. Salem opposes increasing the stormwater fee when many residents and property owners are still recovering from the 2024 hurricanes. A formal vote on the proposed increase will occur later in the budgeting process.

Revenues, debt

Short presented a one-page summary of the city’s total projected revenues of $27.2 million for the coming fiscal year – an increase of nearly $10 million from the $17.8 million listed for the 2024-25 fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30.

Maintaining the 1.65 millage rate is expected to generate $3.96 million in ad valorem city property tax revenues in the coming fiscal year, a slight increase from the $3.85 million listed for the current fiscal year.

Short anticipates the city receiving $8.6 million in FEMA reimbursements, but he’s noted on several occasions that those federal funds are not guaranteed and it’s not known when they’ll be received.

Short, a retired accounting executive, noted the projected revenue summary includes $4 million in anticipated debt financing needed to cover the city’s up-front costs while waiting for reimbursement from federal and state agencies. The anticipated reimbursements include FEMA reimbursement for the money the city spent recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton, future FEMA assistance to help rebuild the hurricane-damaged City Pier and FEMA reimbursement for some emergency stormwater work the mayor and staff felt was desperately needed. Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) reimbursement is anticipated to help complete the Pine Avenue sidewalk installation project.

“To accomplish what I hope we will accomplish in this next year, we’re going to need to float some cash to pay for it while we are waiting on reimbursement. The city is in process of setting up $4 million to be available to help us fund the cash flow for these projects while we wait on the reimbursements,” Short said.

The projected revenues include $5.9 million in various grant funds.

After being elected last fall, Short is leading the city’s budget creation process for the first time and Jones and City Treasurer LeAnne Addy thanked him for seeking staff input in the creation of the budget.

Anna Maria Motel demolished

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Business, Tourism.

ANNA MARIA – The demolition of the old Anna Maria Motel at 808 North Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria began on July 21.

Dan and Christine Horvat bought the motel in 2001 and bought a home in Anna Maria before that. Dan passed away in 2020, Christine passed away in 2023 and the motel and property are currently part of a family trust shared by four siblings.

When contacted by phone at her Champaign, Illinois home on July 26, one of the siblings, Maria Horvat, shared her thoughts and emotions on her parents’ vintage, nine-unit motel being demolished. Horvat, a physician, also owns a small, two-bedroom cottage in Anna Maria and plans to visit Anna Maria this week.

“My family’s been coming to the Island since 1958,” she said.

Horvat thinks the motel dates back to the 1940s. She said the motel sustained significant flood damage during Hurricane Helene in 2024, when the storm surge rose to chest level inside the ground-level units.

“The hurricane was just devastating and we didn’t have flood insurance. I went down there immediately afterwards. I had just renovated and replaced all the kitchens and the bathrooms,” Horvat said.

She said repetitive flooding in that low-lying area also occurred several times in the past and flood prevention door guards had been installed. Due to the hurricane damage sustained, the repair and replacement costs, FEMA regulations and other contributing factors, it just wasn’t practical or cost-efficient for the family trust to repair the motel and resume the motel operations. After the demolition is complete, the four vacant lots will be sold and Duncan Real Estate will handle the sale of those properties.

“It’s sad. It’s the end of the Anna Maria Motel. This is a very emotional thing to have this hotel coming down,” Horvat said. “Unfortunately, it will probably be more big mansions. It breaks my heart.”

She praised and thanked Office Manager Lori Calderone for the past 12 years she spent running the motel.

“She put her heart and soul into it,” Horvat said.

Horvat said a couple people expressed interest in buying the motel and continuing the motel operations but the numbers simply didn’t work in the Island’s current economic landscape.

“We had a lot of interesting guests and the motel was doing well. We’re devastated. All the siblings are upset but we have to move on,” Horvat said.

Anna Maria postmaster retires

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – Friday, July 25 was Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger’s last day on the job.

After 31 ½ years with the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Brunger is retiring. After using her remaining vacation days and paid leave, her retirement becomes official on Oct. 31.

Brunger began doing temporary work for the postal service in 1988 and she became a full-time USPS employee in 1993. In 2007, she was named the Terra Ceia postmaster, working inside the small, still-standing historic post office building in northwest Manatee County. She was named Anna Maria postmaster in 2012 and assumed those duties in 2013, succeeding Postmaster Gloria Kincade.

A new Anna Maria postmaster has not been named yet and current Anna Maria Post Office employee Kristen Gray will serve as acting postmaster until a new postmaster is named.

When asked what she’ll miss most about being the Anna Maria postmaster, Brunger said, “I’m going to miss the community, the residents and the customers. And I really do love the mail, so I will miss that too. What I will not miss is the drive out here.”

While unable to provide an exact date, Brunger expects the hurricane-damaged post office on Pine Avenue to reopen soon. Until then, the Anna Maria Post Office continues to operate inside a large trailer parked across the street at City Pier Park. Anna Maria is the only city on Anna Maria Island that does not provide home mail delivery, which means residents, seasonal visitors and business owners must retrieve their mail from their P.O. boxes at the post office.

Brunger doesn’t have any big plans for the beginning of her retirement years.

“I’m going to relax. My husband, Scott, is going to retire next year and then I get to hang out with him,” she said on her final day.

One day earlier, on July 24, Brunger attended the Anna Maria City Commission meeting and Mayor Mark Short recognized her many years of service to the community. Before presenting Brunger with a framed copy, Short read aloud a city proclamation that recognized a career that included more than 12 years as the Anna Maria postmaster.

“During her tenure, Sheila provided outstanding and courteous service to the citizens of the city of Anna Maria, becoming a beloved and reliable figure in our community. The city of Anna Maria recognizes and appreciates the steadfast commitment to excellence, professionalism and community service. Therefore, I, Mark Short, mayor of the city of Anna Maria, do hereby recognize and honor Sheila Brunger for her exemplary career and dedicated service; and I extend our heartfelt congratulations to her retirement,” Short said when reading the proclamation.

Waste Management proposes mandatory side-door service

Written by Joe Hendricks on July 29, 2025. Posted in Anna Maria, Community News.

ANNA MARIA – As part of Waste Management’s ongoing efforts to obtain city commission approval to switch Anna Maria’s trash and recycling collection days from Mondays and Thursdays to Tuesdays and Fridays, the company is proposing making side-door service mandatory for all residential properties.

Addressing concerns expressed by the mayor and city commissioners about Waste Management’s current performance level on side-door collection service, Waste Management Government Affairs Manager Brenna Haggar made the proposal to the mayor and commissioners on July 24, and commissioners were receptive to the idea.

City code currently requires side-door trash and recycling service for all non-homesteaded residential properties, including short-term vacation rentals and secondary vacation homes. Side-door service is not mandatory for primary residences that qualify for the county property tax homestead exemption. According to Waste Management, approximately 80% of Anna Maria’s residential properties already have side-door service, including many that are not required to have it.

During past discussions, the mayor and commissioners frequently expressed concerns about emptied trash and recycling receptacles being left by the street and not being returned to the side of the property as required by city code. Haggar said mandatory side-door service for all residential properties would eliminate the confusion experienced by Waste Management personnel as to which properties require their trash and recycling receptacles to be retrieved from the side of the property, emptied and returned to the side of the property, currently at an additional cost to the property owner.

Haggar said homesteaded property owners would not initially be charged the additional side-door service fee during the pilot program that would continue until June, when Waste Management’s current contract with the city expires. Haggar said the rates for homesteaded property owners would then be recalculated if Waste Management continues to serve as the city’s exclusively-contracted solid waste service after the contract expires. Before then, the city will also solicit bids from other solid waste service providers.

If the proposed changes are approved by the city commission, which will require an amendment to the current contract, the collection day schedule change and the mandatory side-door service for all residential properties would take effect Oct. 1.

Holmes Beach man accused of attempted murder

Holmes Beach man arrested for attempted murder

Written by Sun staff on July 29, 2025. Posted in Community News, Longboat Key, Manatee County.

HOLMES BEACH – Douglas Scott Naeher, 60, was arrested on July 21 on felony charges of attempted murder and domestic battery as a result of a July 20 incident with his wife, Stephanie Naeher.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) is conducting the criminal investigation.

According to the MCSO website, as of July 29, Douglas remained in custody at the Manatee County Jail, where he was being held without bond.

According to the MCSO affidavit, the couple lives at 505 58th St. in Holmes Beach. The arrest report lists Doug Naeher Drywall Inc. as the defendant’s place of employment.

A separate court document indicates that a petition for dissolution of marriage was filed on June 12, but no additional details are available.

According to the affidavit in support of the arrest warrant, the couple has been together for six years, married for three years and lived together at the time of the incident.

On July 20 around 7 a.m., the couple boarded the 30-foot powerboat they kept docked in the canal at their home, according to the report.

“On the way to their destination, the victim (Stephanie) noted that the defendant’s (Douglas) demeanor seemed off, as he was not talkative as usual and appeared to be angry. Once they reached their destination, 33 miles off the coast of Bean Point, the defendant started fishing,” according to the affidavit.

“The victim was sitting in a bean bag chair on the port side of the boat in front of the center console. The defendant started to become irate while fishing, due to his line snapping. To avoid an altercation, (the) victim decided to get in the water and float on a pool noodle. While floating, she kept hold of the rope which was tied to the boat. At some point, the defendant untied the rope, put the boat in gear and drove off without her.

“The victim stated she felt the defendant was leaving her out there to die. She then noticed another boat off in the distance. She thinks that’s what prompted the defendant to turn around and come back for her. When the victim climbed in the boat, the defendant began repeatedly punching her on the right side of the head. He then stomped on her head with both feet numerous times. While getting punched and stomped on, the victim stated she went in and out of consciousness,” according to the affidavit.

“In an attempt to save her own life, the victim said she pretended to be dead. She tried to slow her breathing and remain motionless so the defendant would stop hitting her. Once he stopped hitting her, he dragged her by the hair to the rear of the boat and into the water. The defendant then placed both hands around the victim’s throat attempting to strangle and drown her in the water. As he was doing this, he said, ‘I’m going to fu**ing kill you.’ The victim stated she was grasping for air and saltwater was coming out of her nose,” according to the affidavit.

“The other vessel starting coming closer to their location. The victim believes this is the reason the defendant let go of her. He left the victim in the water battered and gasping for air. He then put the boat in gear and started to drive. The victim was able to interlock her feet around the ladder at the rear of the vessel and hold on. The defendant dragged the victim behind the boat for a short time. The defendant eventually stopped the boat and the victim climbed back in using the ladder. When the defendant noticed she was back on the boat, he started to punch and stomp her body several more times. He then dragged her to the back of the boat and shoved her overboard. The victim saw a rope dangling from the rear of the boat and wrapped it around her right ankle just before the defendant started to drive away a second time. The victim got dragged behind the boat for several minutes before she was able to pull herself back onto the rear of the boat,” according to the affidavit.

“While he was driving back inland towards Bean Point, the defendant noticed the victim was on the rear of the boat. The defendant let the boat continue driving on its own as he went back to batter her, only stopping when he had to adjust the course of the boat. As they got closer to their residence, the defendant had to actively stay in control of the boat to navigate through the narrow canal to their dock. As the boat slowed, the victim jumped onto the dock and ran to the Holmes Beach Police Department, just a short distance from their residence.

“This was at 1337 hours (1:37 p.m.). Ten minutes later, the defendant was seen on the Holmes Beach Police PD surveillance camera fleeing the scene in his pickup truck. The victim was transported to (HCA Florida) Blake Hospital to be treated for her injuries. She suffered from a concussion and had multiple contusions. Her head and face were swollen and her right eye was completely swollen shut. She had bruises on her arms, neck and face. At this time, the defendant’s whereabouts are unknown,” according to the affidavit.

“Given that the crimes at issue are crimes of violence that were committed in a watercraft against a victim who is a resident of Manatee County, they may be prosecuted in the Circuit Court of the 12th Judicial Circuit under the authority of Section 910.008(3)(f) Florida Statutes,” according to the affidavit.

Bond hearing

Douglas Naeher was held at the Manatee County Jail after his arrest on July 21 and was ordered to be held without bond by 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Teresa Dees at a July 25 pre-trial detention hearing at the Manatee County Judicial Center.

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Det. Patricia Hetrick testified at Friday’s hearing about the condition of the crime scene and the victim.

“There were blood droplets and smears around the boat,” she said.

Hetrick said the victim showed signs of injury on her head, face, arms, foot, ankle and lower back. Hetrick said since the arrest has been made public, a witness has come forward with information.

“We’re continuing to investigate additional evidence,” Hetrick said. “The witness said he saw a man driving the boat. The man asked him to take the female back to shore with him, he declined and the boat sped off. He (the witness) didn’t see her but said there appeared to be a girl on the floor of the boat under an umbrella.”

Hetrick said the victim expressed concern about Naeher being released.

“She thinks he’ll kill her and finish the job,” Hetrick said. Updated 9:53 AM EDT, July 29, 2025

Naeher was represented at the bond hearing by attorneys Adam Dunn and Jerome Meisner. He testified that he has strong family ties in the area, does not possess a valid passport and if released, will adhere to GPS monitoring and agree to have no contact with his wife. At least a dozen of his family members were in the courtroom for the hearing.

Naeher said his financial assets include his home at 505 58th St. in Holmes Beach valued at a little over $1 million, a 2017 boat worth $80,000 and a 2020 Chevrolet Silverado truck.

“Those assets are being used to fight this,” Dunn said.

Assistant State Attorney Dickey Hough argued against Naeher being released on bond and said he poses a flight risk and has a history of escape. He cited a 1986 conviction for battery, resisting arrest and escape.

During the hearing, Naeher said, “I’ve got no reason to leave my house. My wife is trying to take it from me.”

Dunn said Stephanie Naeher has a 2024 felony conviction, which he said could lead to a “credibility issue.”

According to Manatee County court records, she was arrested and convicted of several offenses that began when she walked out on a $51 bar tab at the Freckled Fin in Holmes Beach. As a result, on May 22, she was convicted of resisting an officer with violence, battery on a law enforcement officer, possession of alprazolam, fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and driving while under the influence with an unlawful blood alcohol level.

Dunn also stated that Douglas Naeher filed a dissolution of marriage in June, but it doesn’t appear that his wife has been served yet.

In making her decision to not release Naeher on bond, Judge Dees cited, “incredibly concerning allegations of multiple attempts to murder the victim.” She also said he poses “a high immediate danger to the victim.”

Mangrove Rangers celebrate

Written by Rusty Chinnis on July 29, 2025. Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

In 2024, Suncoast Waterkeeper (SCWK) launched its Mangrove Rangers program to train local volunteers as community scientists using drones to survey and map the health of these essential coastal “forest” in vulnerable areas of Manatee County. SCWK realized the importance of educating the public and policy makers on the fact that mangroves continue to face strain from unchecked development, habitat destruction, and rising sea levels.

Mangroves are essential nurseries for most commercial and recreational fisheries, are habitat for birds, maintain water quality, sequester carbon and protect coastal properties against wind, storm surges and waves generated by hurricanes. Despite their importance, mangroves continue to be strained by unsustainable coastal growth, habitat destruction, and rising sea levels.

With the generous support of the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, the program is now entering its second year, and the Rangers are now sharing the data from their surveys.

“Mangrove forests are among the most vital and productive ecosystems on the Suncoast.

Recognizing their importance, state law protects mangrove trees, but protection on paper is not enough,” explains Dr. Abbey Tyrna, executive director and waterkeeper of Suncoast Waterkeeper. “These ecosystems are under mounting pressure from development, seawall construction, sea level rise and increased runoff. Ongoing, consistent monitoring is crucial for understanding how mangroves respond to these threats and for ensuring their continuing health for future generations.”

The data was unveiled on July 26 on World Mangrove Day at a celebration party for volunteers at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron on City Island. The data, which revealed the reduced function of trimmed mangroves, offer residents, advocates and policymakers an updated picture of the health, vulnerability and extent of mangroves in Manatee County.

The hope is that by establishing real, localized data on mangrove forests, everyone can better understand what is being lost and help enact laws that better protect what remains. According to SCWK’s research, Manatee County has already lost many acres of mangroves, which are often replaced with seawalls, fill and turfgrass. While Florida’s Mangrove Trimming and Preservation Act of 1996 has curbed violations, significant gaps remain in protecting these ecosystems from further degradation.

For the Mangrove Rangers, this data is part of a broader push to move from reactive enforcement to proactive conservation and securing the future of Manatee County mangroves before it’s too late.

This program and its findings should be a wake-up call for local anglers on the importance of getting involved in protecting this critical habitat that is essential to preserving the future of fishing for future generations, i.e., our children and grandchildren. To learn more about the Mangrove Rangers Program, visit and consider joining and becoming a part of this forward looking work.
Learn more about the program at the Suncoast Waterkeeper website.

Green turtles break 2023 AMI nesting record

Written by Leslie Lake on July 29, 2025. Posted in Outdoors, Sea turtles.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring is celebrating green turtles breaking their 2023 record of 12 nests on Anna Maria Island.

“We now have 13 green turtle nests on the Island and hope to get even more before nesting season comes to a close,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in a July 25 email.

The majority of turtle nests on AMI are laid by loggerhead sea turtles.

Turtle Watch volunteers were also surprised this week when they inventoried a nest that was overdue for hatching. Such a nest would usually contain unhatched eggs, but instead they found 17 live hatchlings trapped in the nest due to hard-packed sand.

“Happily, all 17 hatchlings were healthy and active and were released into the Gulf,” she wrote.

Sea turtle hatching season is in full swing, but, unfortunately, so are disorientations, Mazzarella reported.

Disorientations occur when hatchlings follow artificial light instead of the light of the night sky. Following artificial light causes the hatchlings to expend energy they need for swimming. They can wander into swimming pools or become dehydrated or get picked up by predators.

“On Anna Maria Island, since hatching began on July 3, we have had 31 hatchling disorientations involving a minimum of 1,000 of the 5,513 hatchlings that have emerged this season,” Mazzarella wrote.

“Sadly, 61 of those hatchlings were found dead.”

She asks people to help make sure hatchlings make it safely to the Gulf by turning off beach-facing lights or using turtle-friendly light bulbs and shields on exterior lights. For interior lights, she asks people to close blinds and redirect lights so they can’t be seen through windows.

“Once hatchlings have disoriented, they are often led astray even further by all the lights that couldn’t be seen from the beach, so even if your property is away from the beach, it helps to be turtle friendly,” Mazzarella wrote.

Turtle Watch has a 24/7 hotline at 941-301-8434 to call if you see an adult or hatchling turtle in distress.

Public provides input on Cortez Marina’s future

Written by Leslie Lake on July 29, 2025. Posted in Community News, Cortez.

BRADENTON – Manatee County residents expressed their preferences for the future of Cortez Marina at the first of five public workshops at the Bridge Church on July 24.

The workshop, held in an open house format, had four stations – an aerial map of the parcel, a location map and survey, priority ranking for desired amenities and an opportunity for attendees to post a short statement.

Manatee County purchased the former Seafood Shack property, which consists of seven upland parcels of approximately 5.9 acres and two submerged land leases of 2.9 acres, on Dec. 31, 2024 for $13 million with the intention of using it for boat ramps and a public marina.

According to a July 11 Manatee County press release inviting residents to attend the workshops, “Manatee County Government is starting with a blank slate to design a vibrant public boat launch and waterfront destination at the Cortez Boat Ramp and public input is being sought. Every dock plank, parking space and amenity will reflect the community’s vision, so project managers are opening the doors wide for citizens to contribute their creativity, concerns and aspirations.”

“The feedback is incredibly important to the commissioners,” Manatee County Communications Division Manager Casey Zempel said. “Any one of these sessions is an opportunity for people to let us know what kind of waterfront they want to see.”

Suggested amenities for the property included a bait and tackle shop, mooring field, waterfront destination, working waterfront/fish market, passive waterfront, recreation rental, waterfront food truck plaza and waterfront dining. Using stickers, attendees ranked their choices.

“We’re going to combine all the data and let the ideas surface and put together a presentation that we can put before the board and hopefully get approved using all this feedback – great feedback – from the community.”

Consulting firm Kimley-Horne will compile the data from the five workshops and make a final presentation to county commissioners.

“We started with the Cortez area and that really started with our boots on the ground effort. Our neighborhood connections team went out and canvassed the neighborhood door-to-door to make sure the surrounding community knew about these open house sessions so we can have the relevant feedback of those who live in close proximity to the future boat ramp,” Zempel said.

Zempel said county residents could also leave feedback at the Cortez Boat Ramp website.

Additional public workshops are scheduled:

Wednesday, Aug. 6, 5-7 p.m., Manatee Central Library, 1301 First Ave. W., Bradenton;
Monday, Aug. 11, 5-7 p.m., Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach;
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 5-7 p.m., Rocky Bluff Library, 6750 U.S. 301, Ellenton;
Monday, Aug. 18, 5-7 p.m., Lakewood Ranch Library, 16410 Rangeland Parkway, Bradenton.

Hurricane recovery grants available for fishing captains, guides

Written by Leslie Lake on July 29, 2025. Posted in Business, Tourism.

In response to the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to the local recreational fishing industry, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper have launched grants of up to $1,000 to help cover lost income and recovery expenses.

The grants are designed to provide financial aid to local recreational fishing professionals impacted by the 2024 hurricanes. The grant is funded by the International Game Fish Association’s Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund and eligible captains and guides can apply for competitive grants of up to $1,000 to help cover lost income and recovery expenses.

“On Florida’s Gulf Coast, our waters are more than scenery, they are a lifeline. Following the 2024 hurricane season, which brought widespread damage, many who depend on healthy waters for their livelihoods are still struggling to recover,” according to a press release from Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper.

“The recreational fishing industry plays a vital role in safeguarding our local waters, often serving as the first line of defense by reporting pollution incidents,” Suncoast Waterkeeper Executive Director Dr. Abbey Tyrna said. “We’re proud to support this community and give back to those who faced economic hardship during the 2024 hurricane season.”

Applications are open until Saturday, Aug. 2. Grant recipients will be announced on Friday, Aug. 15. The online application is available at the WARF website.

Recreational fishing industry professionals impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, including charter captains, operating within the Suncoast and Tampa Bay regions are eligible, with priority given to those who work fulltime in the recreational fishing industry.

Required documentation includes a valid U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, proof of insurance, a completed W-9 form and verified proof of trip cancellations or revenue loss (e.g., booking records, customer statements).

“Charter captains are the tip of the spear when it comes to our coalition of water quality advocates in Tampa Bay,” said Justin Tramble, executive director of Tampa Bay Waterkeeper. “This industry took a significant and unfortunate hit during last season’s historic hurricane season. We are honored to stand with our partners to support our community.”

The Worldwide Anglers Relief Fund was established in 2017 in partnership with Costa Sunglasses. Since its inception, the fund has distributed over $305,000 to fishing communities impacted by natural disasters across the U.S., Caribbean and Central America, helping local guides recover and rebuild, according to the press release.

“Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper share a united mission to protect and restore the waters of the region to ensure fishable, swimmable and drinkable water for all,” according to the press release. “Together, these Waterkeeper organizations are committed to supporting and giving back to the fishing community that has been heavily impacted by natural disasters, standing alongside those who support and depend on healthy waters.”

To learn more about Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper, visit their websites at www.suncoastwaterkeeper.org and www.tampabaywaterkeeper.org/

Why aren’t we a boomtown?

Written by Louise Bolger on July 29, 2025. Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand, Real estate | Development.

Looking for a boomtown? Then look in the South. Eight of the top 10 U.S. metro areas ranking as boomtowns are in the South; five are in Florida. But there’s not one in Manatee or Sarasota counties or in Tampa – how could that be?

Let’s start with how LendingTree, which determined what a boomtown is, came up with its conclusion. They grouped 100 of the largest metros across eight unique metrics grouped into three categories – people and housing, work and earnings and business and economy.

So if you live in one of the metros that has a lot of housing available but not a lot of earnings, you’ll lose points. Same with employment; if you live in a metro where the workforce is increasing or the annual GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is increasing, you’ll get an increase in points.

Since Manatee, Sarasota and Tampa had their big surge during COVID, that is probably the reason why those metros didn’t make the top 10. We may still be ahead of the growing metros in all of the categories analyzed in numbers and dollars, but we’ve obviously leveled off.

The analysis points out that the three largest U.S. metros, New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, ranked 89th, 84th and 94th respectively out of the top 100. It doesn’t mean that New York real estate is declining or that the restaurants are reducing their menu prices and no one is opening a business, it just means that those segments of the economy have leveled off and aren’t growing as fast as other smaller metros.

These are the rankings of the top 10 boomtowns around the country starting with number one: Austin, Texas; Orlando, Florida; North Port, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Cape Coral, Florida; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Charleston, South Carolina; Lakeland, Florida; Deltona, Florida; and Denver, Colorado.

Austin also came in number one in LendingTree’s last boomtown survey because of GDP growth and one of the highest increases in housing units. Orlando and North Port, Florida ranked second and third basically for the same increase in GDP and housing units.

On to the June sales statistics published by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 3.2% fewer properties compared to last June. The median sale price was $440,000, down 15.2%, and the average sale price was $583,447, down 20.8%. The median time to contract was 56 days compared to 57 days last year and new listings increased by 2.9%. The month’s supply of properties was 5.2 months compared to 4 months last year.

Condos closed 5.3% fewer properties compared to June of last year. The median sale price was $312,900, down 9.2% and the average sale price was $333,877, down 19.8%. The median time to contract was 68 days compared to 73 last year and new listings were up 5.3%. The month’s supply of available properties was 7.4 months compared to 5.8 months last year. A 6-month supply of available properties is always considered a normal market.

Interestingly, cash sales are down in both sectors 18.1% for single-family and 7.7% for condos.

I have a gut feeling that all potential buyers and sellers in Manatee County are holding their breath waiting to get on the other side of hurricane season, hopefully in one piece before any decisions are made.

So what’s the draw of the South that keeps people moving here? The top of the list is more affordable housing, lower cost of living and more job opportunities. We’re also seeing a chain reaction; the more friends and family move South, others follow. I’m bullish on the continued growth of the South and you should be too. You don’t have to live in a boomtown to know you’re better off.

Center of Anna Maria Island football, soccer standings

Center Scoreboard: youth soccer and adult flag football

Written by SUN contributor on July 29, 2025. Posted in Football, Soccer, Sports.

INDOOR SOCCER – SEMI-FINALS

8- TO 10-YEAR-OLD DIVISION

Mi-Box 6
Revive Nutrition 1

Moss Builders 3 (PK Win)
Diamond Turf 3

CHAMPIONSHIP

Mi-Box 5
Moss Builders 3

11- TO 14-YEAR-OLD DIVISION

Poppo’s Taqueria Win by Forfeit
Jiffy Lube Forfeit

Westfall’s Lawn Care
& Pest Control 4 (PK Win)
AMI Outfitters 4

CHAMPIONSHIP

Poppo’s Taqueira 1
Westfall’s Lawn Care & Pest Control 0

ADULT FLAG FOOTBALL – WEEK 5

Bubble Binz 34 (3-1)
Moss Builders 13 (1-3)

Solid Rock Electrical 46 (3-1)
Cortez Pump & Sprinkler 26 (2-3)

Solid Rock Construction 44 (4-0)
Coaster Continent 32 (3-2)

Salty Printing 37 (4-1)
Reel Coastal Properties 20 (0-5)

Slim’s Place 36 (4-0)
Edible Cookie Dough Café 7 (0-4)

Tingley Memorial Library options discussed

County providing additional funding for pier repairs, ferry enhancements

City rejects Pines Trailer Park lot split application, expects new development plans

Revised condo inspection ordinance now addresses habitable stories

City responding to Cushing lawsuit subpoena

Shorebird nesting season has begun on Anna Maria Island

Tingley Memorial Library options discussed

County providing additional funding for pier repairs, ferry enhancements

City rejects Pines Trailer Park lot split application, expects new development plans

Revised condo inspection ordinance now addresses habitable stories

City responding to Cushing lawsuit subpoena

Shorebird nesting season has begun on Anna Maria Island

Planning a successful fishing adventure

Mangrove Coast Fly Fishers host fly-casting clinic

Reel Time: Remembering Captain Zach

Reel Time on The Road: Fishing the Chass

On the Cusp: legislative action needed

The Waterman 2026: Fishing for a purpose

Selling your home gives you big tax breaks

Hidden issues in your future home

Non-commercially-rented beach cabanas still allowed in coastal conservation zones

The thaw has begun

Izzy’s Place opens at former Slicker’s Eatery site

Tips on selling in a funky market

CENTER SCOREBOARD: Reel Coastal Properties claims flag football title

Lori Waggoner wins Key Royale Club’s match play tournament

City to install guideline signs at pickleball courts

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

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