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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
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November 13, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Man allegedly burglarizes car in front of police

Man allegedly burglarizes car in front of police

HOLMES BEACH – A police investigation of an incident involving leaving the scene of an accident led to an unrelated arrest when a man allegedly burglarized the car involved in the investigation. The…
November 7, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
‘Later Life’ all about second chances

‘Later Life’ all about second chances

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players are back with the second production of their historic 75th season. “Later Life” by A.R. Gurney, directed by Preston Boyd, is a romantic comedy about a couple that reun…
November 7, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Holmes Beach officer assaulted by suspect

Holmes Beach officer assaulted by suspect

HOLMES BEACH – A man was arrested for resisting an officer with violence and transported to the Manatee County Jail after injuring a city police officer at a shopping plaza, according to a police rep…
November 7, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Artificial intelligence cracking down on party houses

Artificial intelligence cracking down on party houses

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Vacation rental company Airbnb is employing artificial intelligence to help reduce the number of properties rented for the exclusive purpose of throwing a party. The purpose of t…
November 1, 2023
By Jason Schaffer

Idalia nudged tourism down slightly

ANNA MARIA – Hurricane Idalia caused many travelers to cancel their trips to Anna Maria Island in August, Research Data Services’ Ann Wittine told the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC)…
November 1, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Manatee County Sheriff's Office

Attacker in 2022 Holmes Beach battery sentenced

HOLMES BEACH – After a year and a half, a second attacker in a 2022 battery case has been sentenced to prison. On Oct. 12, Judge Stephen Whyte of Manatee County’s Twelfth Judicial Circuit Court sent…
October 25, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Holmes Beach man pleads for the return of stolen lighthouse

Holmes Beach resident searches for stolen lighthouse

HOLMES BEACH – A local is asking for the public’s help after a decorative lighthouse that he calls a family heirloom was stolen from his yard. Wayne Giordano, a New York native, brought the lighthous…
October 25, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Family, friends honor AME teacher with memorial garden

Family, friends honor AME teacher with memorial garden

HOLMES BEACH – Friends, family and Anna Maria Elementary (AME) staff gathered at the school on Saturday to honor Kim Bobo and dedicate a memorial garden in her honor. The beloved member of the AME s…
October 25, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Bayfest rocks Pine Avenue

Bayfest rocks Pine Avenue

ANNA MARIA – The 22nd Annual Bayfest celebration on Oct. 21 offered something for the entire family. A large portion of Pine Avenue was closed for most of the day to make room for vendors offering a…
October 24, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Holmes Beach proposes multimodal path to TDC

Holmes Beach proposes multimodal path to TDC

BRADENTON – Holmes Beach Superintendent of Public Works and City Engineer Sage Kamiya was back in front of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) at its Oct. 16 meeting. Kamiya appeared…
October 17, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Rotary Club wraps swimming program

Rotary Club wraps swimming program

BRADENTON – Members of The Rotary Club of Anna Maria Island say their Learn to Swim program was another big success this year. Thanks to fundraising efforts by the Rotary, as well as a $4,000 grant…
October 17, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Woman hospitalized following raccoon attack

Woman hospitalized following raccoon attack

BRADENTON BEACH – A Palm Harbor woman was recently hospitalized after being attacked by raccoons. Bradenton Beach Police Officer Devon Straight responded to the Oct. 7 incident at the Tradewinds Res…
October 4, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Artists’ Guild features mouth-watering art

Artists’ Guild features mouth-watering art

HOLMES BEACH – Whether it’s sweet treats on Halloween or a huge Thanksgiving dinner with friends and family, autumn is a time for feasting, so it makes perfect sense that the Artists’ Guild of Anna M…
October 3, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Wanted man found hiding on Holmes Beach roof

Wanted man found hiding on Holmes Beach roof

HOLMES BEACH – In the early afternoon of Sept. 24, Holmes Beach Police Officer Chris Liotti responded to a dispatch call about a possible fraudulent renter with a bad credit card at 210 72nd St. Whe…
September 19, 2023
By Jason Schaffer

County takes no action against dog owner after multiple attacks

MANATEE COUNTY – A 140-pound mastiff that has killed one dog and injured at least three people and three other dogs remains at home with his owner. Rudy, owned by Anthony Santamauro, of Bradenton, a…