Skip to main content
Jason Schaffer

Jason Schaffer

March 29, 2021
Sun correspondent Jason Schaffer covers tourism, the arts, Anna Maria Elementary School, law enforcement, and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Email
Email Jason Schaffer
July 26, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Privateers hold 'Christmas in July' for a good cause

Privateers hold ‘Christmas in July’ for a good cause

BRADENTON BEACH – After not being able to hold the event last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Anna Maria Island Privateers were excited to resume their annual “Christmas in July” event at The…
July 26, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
cart accident

Golf carts causing frustration, accidents

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – With parking at a premium on the Island, many visitors are turning to golf cart rentals for vacation transportation, and the increase is causing frustration for visitors and resid…
July 25, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Red tide parking

Alternatives to the beach during red tide are plentiful

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As much as Island residents and visitors hoped the red tide event would continue to spare Anna Maria Island beaches, unfortunately, this is not the case. Beaches that were free fr…
July 18, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Are tourists concerned about red tide?

Are tourists concerned about red tide?

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Anna Maria Island continues to experience a record-breaking summer of tourist visitation, the recent bloom of red tide in surrounding areas is of obvious concern to residents…
July 18, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Neutrogena sunscreens

J&J recalls sunscreen due to traces of benzene

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Attention beachgoers: Johnson & Johnson has recalled five of its popular Aveeno and Neutrogena aerosol sunscreens due to low levels of benzene, which has been linked to cancer…
July 18, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Mugshot

Island Grill employee faces child pornography charges

HOLMES BEACH – A Manatee county resident and employee of the Island Grill has been arrested by Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies and charged with 26 counts of possession of child pornography, a felon…
July 11, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Evacuation sign

Does anybody care that it’s hurricane season?

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The first of June marked the beginning of the 2021 Atlantic hurricane season, and if things go as predicted by many weather experts, it should be another very active season. Th…
July 11, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Emma Beans

NYC couple banking on bugs to be big business

COQUINA BEACH – Anna Maria Island is home to countless species of palm trees, tropical plants, rare birds, marine life, and white sand beaches, but if you’ve spent even a few hours on the Island, you…
July 11, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Cup visits BBPD

Lightning win has Island residents ready for more

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Champa Bay now has a Super Bowl win, an American League Championship and back-to-back Stanley Cup victories as of Wednesday, when the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Montreal Canadie…
July 5, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Tourism consultant predicts record summer visitations

Tourism consultant predicts record summer visitations

BRADENTON – As Anna Maria Island continues to see a record-breaking number of visitors this summer, the question continues to be how long will the season last, and why is this year so different than…
June 28, 2021
By Jason Schaffer

AMI on the Fourth of July: Here’s your checklist

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – After a record-breaking spring season and Memorial Day weekend, all signs point to the busiest July 4 holiday ever, based on indications from Island innkeepers and renters, flight…
June 27, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Chiles

Chiles Group owner honored at TDC meeting

BRADENTON – At the conclusion of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting last Monday, Chiles Group owner Ed Chiles was honored by the Council for 25 years of service as a TDC mem…
June 26, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Fourth of July fireworks

July 4 fireworks rules a bit complicated on AMI

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Before you stock up on fireworks to celebrate Independence Day in any of the three cities on the Island, it’s important to know the rules and laws, which vary depending on the cit…
June 26, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
One killed, one seriously injured in Bradenton Beach fall

One killed, one seriously injured in Bradenton Beach fall

BRADENTON BEACH – Two construction workers fell from a height of more than 30 feet on Wednesday, June 23, killing one and seriously injuring the other. According to the Bradenton Beach Police Depa…
June 22, 2021
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players reach out to Freedom Village

Island Players reach out to Freedom Village

ANNA MARIA – After more than a year since a live performance, the Island Players has announced the lineup for its 73rd season, and is once again reaching out to residents of Freedom Village in Braden…