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Cindy Lane

Cindy Lane

September 15, 2015
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July 7, 2020
By Cindy Lane

Close call for sea turtle trapped in hole

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A sea turtle trapped in a hole on the beach is lucky that Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers are so diligent at their jobs. Director Suzi Fox an…
June 15, 2020
By Cindy Lane

COVID-19 heavily impacting tourism

The coronavirus pandemic has sickened the local tourism industry, but local officials plan to ask the state for a shot in the arm by moderating some vacation rental restrictions, the Manatee County T…
June 15, 2020
By Cindy Lane

Spike in COVID-19 cases follows reopenings

Manatee County had the highest spike in COVID-19 cases in a month on Thursday, June 11, with 56 new cases reported by the Florida Department of Health. Statewide cases also spiked that day with 1…
June 9, 2020
By Cindy Lane

WHO, CDC agree face masks vital to reduce COVID-19

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reversed its stance on face masks, now agreeing with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), saying masks should be worn in public to reduce the…
June 9, 2020
By Cindy Lane

Celebrate turtles

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – World Sea Turtle Day is Tuesday, June 16, and you can celebrate with the Sea Turtle Conservancy on the birthday of its founder, Dr. Archie Carr. Carr is remembered as the fathe…
June 8, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Reel Time

Sewage spill impacting Sarasota Bay

BRADENTON – A sewage spill originally estimated at 1.2 million gallons on the campus of State College of Florida is impacting Sarasota Bay, according to the Manatee County Utilities Department. A…
June 8, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

Tourist season’s tax receipts plummet due to COVID-19

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Tourist tax collections for March and April reflect the strain that COVID-19 closures had on Anna Maria Island vacation rentals before Gov. Ron DeSantis allowed them to resume bus…
June 2, 2020
By Cindy Lane

Bars, movie theaters, more to reopen Friday

UPDATED JUNE 3 at 3:45 p.m. ORLANDO – Gov. Ron DeSantis today announced phase two of his “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step.” plan to reopen bars and entertainment venues in 64 of Florida’s counties begin…
May 23, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Mary Fulford Green

Green named 2020 MHS Outstanding Alumna

CORTEZ – Dr. Mary Frances Fulford Green, valedictorian of the Bradenton High School Class of 1942, has been selected as Manatee High School’s 2020 Outstanding Alumna. Bradenton High is one of the…
May 11, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Coast Lines: Save the refuge for the birds

Coast Lines: Save the refuge for the birds

Friday, May 15 is Endangered Species Day, a great day to get outdoors and try to spot local birds, turtles and manatees that are on the federal and state imperiled species lists. It is not, howeve…
May 4, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Beach reopenings welcomed by most, questioned by some

COVID-19 worse than red tide for tourism

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – COVID-19 has overtaken red tide as tourism’s worst nemesis in Manatee County. For the first time since October 2018, when a persistent red tide was plaguing Anna Maria Island…
April 23, 2020
By Cindy Lane
First turtle nest of season early

First turtle nest of season early

ANNA MARIA – A loggerhead sea turtle jumped the gun and laid the first nest of the 2020 season on Anna Maria Island’s north end sometime the night of Sunday, April 19, nearly two weeks before the off…
April 19, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Coast Lines: Happy Earth Day from Anna Maria Island

Coast Lines: Happy Earth Day from Anna Maria Island

As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, the Florida Department of Health is no longer monitoring water quality at local beaches because they are closed. Likewise, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservat…
April 14, 2020
By Cindy Lane

Peace out

“Pass on peace, not COVID-19” is the inspirational message written in the sands of Anna Maria Island by local artist Jim Shipley, and people all over the world have seen it, thanks to Patricia Filome…
April 2, 2020
By Cindy Lane
Happy Pascua Florida Day!

Happy Pascua Florida Day!

Today is Florida’s State Day – Pascua Florida Day! It’s the anniversary of the discovery of Florida in 1513 by Juan Ponce de León, who named the land “Pascua Florida” – feast of flowers – honorin…