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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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June 26, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Parking at a premium for holiday weekend

Parking at a premium for holiday weekend

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As America makes its 247th successful trip around the sun, many people are expected to celebrate the nation’s birthday on the Island’s white sand beaches. With July Fourth comi…
June 12, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
AMI tourism numbers remain strong

AMI tourism numbers remain strong

ANNA MARIA – Research Data Services’ (RDS) Ann Wittine presented her state of tourism update to members of the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on June 5 at a meeting held at The Cent…
June 5, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
High speed pursuit on Bridge Street ends in arrest

High speed pursuit on Bridge Street ends in arrest

BRADENTON BEACH – According to witnesses, at least one of whom took video, a man later identified as Kevin Rodriguez, 48, of Bradenton left a trail of destruction on Bridge Street that began shortly…
June 5, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Driver pleads not guilty in deadly crash

Driver pleads not guilty in deadly crash

HOLMES BEACH – The driver of a truck who struck two women pedestrians at Gulf Drive and Marine Drive on May 12 while they crossed the street is contesting the traffic citation with a plea of not guil…
May 22, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Hurricane Expo stresses preparedness

Hurricane Expo stresses preparedness

PALMETTO – Even though Anna Maria Island and most of Manatee County dodged the worst of Hurricane Ian last year, there were still plenty of lessons learned, and the community was reminded of how much…
May 22, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Get ready for Memorial Day weekend

Get ready for Memorial Day weekend

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – It’s almost here – the unofficial start of the summer season, when large crowds visit the Island to soak up the sun and play in the sand. Unlike the busy winter/spring season whe…
May 15, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Pedestrians struck while crossing street

Pedestrians struck while crossing street

HOLMES BEACH – The intersection of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive in Holmes Beach was temporarily closed May 12 after two female pedestrians were struck by a truck while crossing the street in a marked…
May 15, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Multiple departments respond to Cortez Bridge incident

Multiple departments respond to Cortez Bridge incident

BRADENTON BEACH – Bradenton Beach Police officers Devon Straight and Tom Ferrara were at the Circle K near Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach when a concerned citizen came in and told them there was a…
May 8, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Concert for Peace returns in June

Concert for Peace returns in June

CORTEZ – Cortez restauranteur Bob Slicker, owner of Slicker’s Eatery, is once again gathering members of the Anna Maria Island Rotary Club and the community to raise money with a Concert for Peace. T…
May 8, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
TDC recommends funding for water taxi

TDC recommends funding for water taxi

BRADENTON – Among the many agenda items up for discussion at the April 24 Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) meeting, the soon-to-be operational water taxi service was an issue all TDC…
May 8, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
BACVB first in Florida to partner with Leave No Trace

BACVB first in Florida to partner with Leave No Trace

SARASOTA – The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau’s (BACVB) Love it Like a Local campaign, launched in 2022, has helped visitors to Anna Maria Island and other area destinations understand…
May 1, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Tourism numbers in for February

Tourism numbers in for February

BRADENTON – Research Data Services’ (RDS) Ann Wittine presented an optimistic state of tourism update to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on April 24. According to the latest ava…
May 1, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Island Players prepare final play of season

Island Players prepare final play of season

ANNA MARIA – The Island Players, Manatee County’s oldest community theater, plans to go out with a bang this season. After directing “The Psychic,” the final play of the 2021-22 season, James Thag…
April 26, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Big changes could be coming to the Coquina Beach Trail.

TDC approves proposal to use Coquina Beach Trail for shuttles

BRADENTON BEACH – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) is recommending a plan to Manatee County commissioners to widen the Coquina Beach Trail for shuttles. The trail is a paved pa…
April 24, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Library advisory board to expand

Library advisory board to expand

BRADENTON – Concerned citizens symbolically held up books, such as Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” in protest of a controversial proposal by Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard at the April 18 com…