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SUN contributor

SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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May 16, 2022
By SUN contributor

Battery victim’s family grateful to AMI

Referring to the incident that happened on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 with Evan Purcell: As horrific and traumatic as it was for everyone, including Evan and the family, we would like to thank everyon…
May 16, 2022
By SUN contributor
Trees get the ax in Kingfish renovation plans

Trees get the ax in Kingfish renovation plans

MANATEE COUNTY – Plans are underway to make significant changes at the Kingfish Boat Ramp in Holmes Beach, but those improvements are coming at a significant cost, namely the removal of a well-used p…
May 9, 2022
By SUN contributor
Beach parking meeting reaps results

Beach parking meeting reaps results

HOLMES BEACH – Leaders from state, county and city governments are coming together to find solutions to ongoing public parking and beach access issues on Anna Maria Island. Holmes Beach Mayor Judy…
May 9, 2022
By SUN contributor
Battle at Bali Hai continues

Battle at Bali Hai continues

HOLMES BEACH – Special Magistrate Michael Connolly ruled in the city’s favor in two code compliance cases against the owners of the Bali Hai Beach Resort, but attorney Louis Najmy says the fight’s no…
May 8, 2022
By SUN contributor
Special magistrate postpones rat case

Special magistrate postpones rat case

HOLMES BEACH – Residents – one with a rat problem – expressed their disagreement with two of Special Magistrate Michael Connolly’s rulings during a late April code compliance hearing. Lois Huntington…
May 2, 2022
By SUN contributor
Battle for beach access continues

Battle for beach access continues

HOLMES BEACH – As residents on 78th Street fight beachfront property owners for the right to walk a path to the beach, city leaders say that because the path is located on private property, they can’…
May 2, 2022
By SUN contributor
Ugly Grouper expansion planned

Ugly Grouper expansion planned

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners weren’t in agreement on the issue but the Ugly Grouper’s owners will be allowed to increase the restaurant’s seating size. During an April 26 meeting, attorney Scott R…
April 24, 2022
By SUN contributor
Neighbors clash over beach access path

Neighbors clash over beach access path

HOLMES BEACH – A battle is brewing on 78th Street between a beachfront property owner and neighbors insisting on using a longstanding beach access. The owners of the beachfront home at 101 78th St…
April 17, 2022
By SUN contributor

Commissioners reconsider golf cart restrictions

HOLMES BEACH – It looks like residents’ golf cart driving days aren’t numbered after all. At the first reading of a new golf cart ordinance on April 12, commissioners made a few eleventh hour chan…
April 11, 2022
By SUN contributor
Saying goodbye to the Tour of Homes

Farewell, Tour of Homes

ANNA MARIA – After 26 years as an Anna Maria Island tradition, the Tour of Homes is no more, but left behind is a legacy of groups joining together with the common cause of raising money for The Cent…
April 11, 2022
By SUN contributor
Suspect enters not guilty plea in fatal hit and run

Defendant pleads no contest in hit-and-run case

MANATEE COUNTY – Cierra Shannon, 28, of Holmes Beach, pled no contest today to a first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of a crash with a death. Shannon appeared before Manatee County Jud…
March 28, 2022
By SUN contributor

Building recertification talks resume

HOLMES BEACH – A familiar topic is coming back to the agenda for a future city commission work session. The 2022 Florida state legislative session came to a close without anything passing the Hous…
March 28, 2022
By SUN contributor

Brutal attack leaves AMI resident hospitalized

HOLMES BEACH – A good deed backfired last week when a group of teens attacked a man who was trying to stop them from vandalizing Anna Maria Elementary School. Holmes Beach resident Evan Purcell, 4…
March 21, 2022
By SUN contributor
Pop icon readies to take Center stage

Pop icon readies to take Center stage

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The latest icon to take the stage at The Center of Anna Maria Island will take audience members back to those endless summer nights. Award-winning singer, songwriter and author…
March 20, 2022
By SUN contributor
Wit, wisdom and wine shine at Center event

Wit, wisdom and wine shine at Center event

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island is changing up its events and its newest entry, a wine tasting with friends, is a hit with attendees. The inaugural Wine Tasting with Center Friends, a…