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SUN contributor

SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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September 20, 2022
By SUN contributor
BIEO members reject TDC funding change

BIEO members reject TDC funding change

ANNA MARIA – Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth hasn’t gained a lot of support from leadership in local barrier island cities for her idea to change how tourist development taxes are distribut…
August 29, 2022
By SUN contributor
City center project set for September start date

City center project set for September start date

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders have spent more than a year planning for improvements to be made at city center, the intersection of Gulf and Marina drives, but those plans haven’t had an anticipated sta…
August 29, 2022
By SUN contributor
Beach access remains closed

Beach access remains closed

MANATEE COUNTY – The battle between neighbors for beach access on 78th Street in Holmes Beach came to a close when a judge ruled against granting a temporary injunction to reopen the path to the sand…
August 22, 2022
By SUN contributor
Beach access hearing continues Friday

Beach access hearing continues Friday

HOLMES BEACH – A case about beach access is set to go to trial in the coming weeks, but nearby residents are hoping to regain use of a path leading from the end of 78th Street to the sand before then…
August 16, 2022
By SUN contributor
Palma Sola Causeway sign rules to be enforced

Palma Sola Causeway sign rules to be enforced

BRADENTON – Anyone who’s traveled the Palma Sola Scenic Highway has seen the roadside businesses popping up along Manatee Avenue – kayak, paddleboard, horseback riding and now, Jet Ski rentals. Wh…
August 15, 2022
By SUN contributor

Beach market shakeup disturbing

I am appalled and disturbed that Manatee County abruptly ended – and without due cause or notice – Nancy Ambrose’s job running the Coquina Beach Market. For over 10 years, she worked hard building…
August 8, 2022
By SUN contributor
The Island’s most recognizable sign turns 21

The Island’s most recognizable sign turns 21

HOLMES BEACH – Everyone sees the sign that says, “Welcome to Holmes Beach on Anna Maria Island” as they cross the Anna Maria Island Bridge, but not everyone knows how the 21-year-old sign originated…
August 8, 2022
By SUN contributor

Thanks to the mayor

Dear Mayor (Judy) Titsworth, I want to strongly thank you and any other Holmes Beach commissioners who have stood against county plans to remove Australian pines and the sand and shell parking fro…
August 2, 2022
By SUN contributor

Rental issues lead to penalties

HOLMES BEACH – Special Magistrate Michael Connolly is giving the family of one property owner time to come into compliance with city codes before facing fines, but not much time. Connolly ruled ag…
August 1, 2022
By SUN contributor

Candidate opposes parking garage

While Holmes Beach commissioners seek to ban multi-level parking structures, apparently County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge seems to believe a three-story parking garage built at Manatee Beach…
August 1, 2022
By SUN contributor
Tree house owners push for trial date

Tree house owners push for trial date

HOLMES BEACH – Tree house owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen may soon be getting their wish – it looks like their case is going to trial. Manatee Circuit Court Judge Charles Sniffen has ordered at…
July 25, 2022
By SUN contributor

Commissioners work to clean up beach litter

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are looking at two ordinances to help combat litter and the negative environmental impacts it brings. The first ordinance would prohibit smoking on the beach and in ci…
July 25, 2022
By SUN contributor
Parking garages on chopping block

Parking garages on chopping block

HOLMES BEACH – Parking garages are one step closer to being officially banned in Anna Maria Island’s largest city. Commissioners have voted unanimously to pass the first reading of an ordinance ba…
July 25, 2022
By SUN contributor

Anna Maria mayor endorses Whitmore

I have worked with County Commissioner Carol Whitmore over the past eight years during my tenure as mayor of the city of Anna Maria. During that period of time, she has shown a keen interest in our c…
July 18, 2022
By SUN contributor

Public gets first look at proposed city budget

HOLMES BEACH – A first look at the city’s proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year shows increases in most departments, but not in the millage rate. That doesn’t mean that city taxpayers aren’…