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SUN contributor

SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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June 27, 2026
By SUN contributor

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 SUN contributor

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.
June 10, 2026
By SUN contributor

Skim competition returns to Anna Maria

SPECIAL TO THE SUN BY TRACY ECKERT ANNA MARIA – After a 23-year absence, skimboarding competition returned to Anna Maria Island on Saturday, June 6, with the One Love AMI Skim Competition held by…
June 2, 2026
By SUN contributor

Holmes Beach: A planned community 

BY LAUREL NEVANS SPECIAL TO THE SUN HOLMES BEACH – When you hear the words “planned community,” they may evoke visions of homeowner’s associations, cookie-cutter houses and things like that. …
May 19, 2026
By SUN contributor

Stormwater fee increases may be inevitable, but are they fair?

Holmes Beach officials are thoughtfully and thoroughly addressing the sensitive issue of stormwater fee increases. Given the consequences of living on a barrier island and experiencing the recent hur…
May 19, 2026
By SUN contributor

Puppy yoga wraps up AME fundraising season

This year’s Anna Maria Elementary School’s annual gala-related fundraising activities concluded with a sold-out puppy yoga session.
May 5, 2026
By SUN contributor

“Boston Rick’s” life celebrated

By Tracy Eckert Special to The Sun ANNA MARIA ISLAND – When you think of Boston, you might immediately think of the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Tea Party or maybe the TV show, “Cheers.” But if you…
April 29, 2026
By SUN contributor

Richard “Boston” J. Burnes Jr.

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Richard “Boston,” J. Burnes Jr., 66, of Anna Maria, Florida, on April 7, 2026. He is survived by Andrea Burnes; his sons, Jonathon, Richard III and Be…
April 28, 2026
By SUN contributor

Rooted in Paradise: Native trees we should all know

The Anna Maria Island Garden Club donated the native trees planted during the Friday, April 24, Arbor Day ceremonies.
April 22, 2026
By SUN contributor

Sea Turtle patrols start on Anna Maria Island

AMI Turtle Watch has begun patrolling the Island beaches and turtles nests have already been located before the May 1 nesting season officially begins.
March 31, 2026
By SUN contributor

CENTER SCOREBOARD: Reel Coastal Properties claims flag football title

Reel Coastal Properties won The Center’s flag football championship.
March 31, 2026
By SUN contributor

Lori Waggoner wins Key Royale Club’s match play tournament

HOLMES BEACH – Thirteen women began the annual KRC Nine-Hole Handicap Match Play tournament in late February. The tournament ended last week with the final match coming down to the last hol…
March 6, 2026
By SUN contributor

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

8-11 ALL GIRLS’ FLAG FOOTBALL (WEEK 7)  Emily Moss Designs 20 (3-3-0) Print Wizards 19 (4-1-1) Sato Real Estate 26 (4-1-1) Poppo’s Taqueria 19 (0-6-0)  8-10 FLAG FOOTBALL (WEEK 7)&n…
February 27, 2026
By SUN contributor

CENTER SCOREBOARD: flag football and soccer

11-13 FLAG FOOTBALL (WEEK 6)  Sato Real Estate 28 (3-3) Impact Florida Windows 18 (2-4)  Cloud Pest Control 19 (2-4) USA Fence 15 (3-3)  Slim’s Place 13 (6-0) Reed Physical Therapy &amp…
February 24, 2026
By SUN contributor

A farewell to Tom

BY CINDY LANE Tom Vaught was the kindest, funniest, most humble person I ever worked with in the news business, and he and his wife, Darcy, and I became instant friends.  Tom worked for th…