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Ernie Vanderwalt

Ernie Vanderwalt

June 30, 2026
Ernie Vanderwalt is a freelance writer and reporter for The Sun and his beat includes the Anna Maria Island beaches.
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August 9, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Salty Dawg: The gift of getting salty

I got in the Gulf tonight shortly before sunset, the light doing that thing it does where the water turns the color of something you can’t quite name, gold sliding into rose sliding into the gray as…
August 3, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

2024 hurricanes still impacting Egmont Key

Egmont Key was damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, but the state park remains open to the public.
August 3, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

County’s Peregrine system in place for hurricane season 

Manatee County’s Peregrine emergency data integration system assists emergency management personnel during hurricanes and tropical storms.
July 28, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Rotary Club donates $25,000 for Beach Patrol drone program

The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island presented Manatee County Beach Patrol with a $25,000 check to assist Manatee County with its five-year, $140,000 Beach Patrol drone water rescue program.
July 28, 2026
By 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 Partnershi…
July 28, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Salty Dawg: Two dolphins

Ernie was joined by two dolphins while swimming in the Gulf.
July 21, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Salty Dawg: Wade In

Most people meet Anna Maria Island the same way: They pull off Gulf Drive, kick off their sandals and walk down to the shore, sand so sugary and white. They stand there a minute. Maybe snap a photo a…
July 15, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Lightning detection system protects county beaches

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Thor Guard lightning detection systems at Manatee County beaches on Anna Maria Island can predict a lightning strike up to 20 minutes before it happens, giving lifeguards time…
July 7, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Manatee County lifeguards stress vigilance during busy summer months

Lifeguards with the Manatee County Beach Patrol watch over 11 lifeguard towers spanning Manatee Beach, Cortez Beach and Coquina Beach. 
July 7, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Swordfish Grill hosts Fourth of July hot dog eating contest

CORTEZ – Contestants gathered under the thatched tiki roof at the Swordfish Grill in Cortez for the restaurant’s annual Fourth of July hot dog eating contest, a tradition that has taken place nearly…
June 30, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Krysta released for Tour de Turtles

A loggerhead sea turtle named Krysta slipped into the Gulf at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach on Monday morning, June 29.
June 30, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Every nest counts for AMI Turtle Watch

AMI Turtle Watch patrols the Anna Maria Island beaches daily to help protect nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings.
June 27, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Sea turtle to be released and tracked during Tour de Turtles

On the morning of Monday, June 29, or Tuesday, June 30, at approximately 8 a.m., a nesting sea turtle fitted with a satellite-monitored transmitter will be released into the Gulf on an Anna Maria Isl…
June 22, 2026
By Ernie Vanderwalt

Beach Patrol logs 136 water rescues in three days

Manatee County Beach Patrol rescued 136 beachgoers from dangerous rip currents over a three-day period from June 17 through June 19.