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SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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July 9, 2021
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach building department

Former Island building official last to inspect Surfside condo

HOLMES BEACH – Just hours before the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo collapsed on June 24, former Holmes Beach Building Official Jim McGuinness inspected it. The next day, he told the town c…
July 3, 2021
By SUN contributor

Balcony collapses in Holmes Beach

UPDATED JULY 4, 2021 AT 12:24 p.m. – HOLMES BEACH – A balcony fell off a resident’s home last week, causing no injuries but plenty of concern among city leaders about the quality of construction of s…
June 28, 2021
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Third of July Parade?

This letter is about the action the city commissioners on Anna Maria Island took over the changing of the date of the Fourth of July celebration procession. Let me start by saying that yes, I am a…
June 27, 2021
By SUN contributor

Land swap decision moves to November ballot

HOLMES BEACH – After hours of discussion spread across several meetings, city commissioners have made a decision – the proposed land swap with two Holmes Beach residents is going to the voters to be…
June 24, 2021
By SUN contributor
Bali Hai owners receive code fines

Bali Hai owners receive code fines

HOLMES BEACH – The fight for compliance with city codes is still ongoing between the owners of the Bali Hai Beach Resort and city leaders. Now, the owners of the resort are going to have to pay fines…
June 20, 2021
By SUN contributor
Going on a musical journey with Steve Augeri

Going on a musical journey with Steve Augeri

ANNA MARIA – Journey’s Steve Augeri came to The Center of Anna Maria Island on June 17 and the crowd went wild for his classic rock hits. As a part of the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series, fo…
June 15, 2021
By SUN contributor
Simon Kirke brings classic rock to The Center’s stage

Simon Kirke brings classic rock to The Center’s stage

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island was rocking June 11 as Simon Kirke and The Empty Pockets took the stage for the second show in the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series. The show was…
June 14, 2021
By SUN contributor
Treehouse owners consider removal

Treehouse owners consider removal

HOLMES BEACH – Owners of the Angelinos Sea Lodge Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen had a busy week with a court hearing and a special magistrate hearing to attend. The most dramatic of the two hearings…
June 13, 2021
By SUN contributor
Tensions mount in city-county parking debate

Tensions mount in city-county parking debate

MANATEE COUNTY – The battle between some Manatee County commissioners and city leadership in Holmes Beach continues to rage on after hopes of a cease-fire were diminished earlier in the week. At t…
June 13, 2021
By SUN contributor
County commissioners refuse Holmes Beach funding request

County commissioners refuse Holmes Beach funding request

MANATEE COUNTY – Holmes Beach city leaders weren’t very surprised but they were disappointed when Manatee County commissioners shot down a funding request recently. During a June 8 county commissi…
June 6, 2021
By SUN contributor
Rock legend to play The Center

Rock legend to play The Center

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Center of Anna Maria Island is going to rock this Friday night as legendary musician Simon Kirke takes the stage with Chicago-based band The Empty Pockets. Kirke, one of th…
June 5, 2021
By SUN contributor
Bank rezone passes first reading despite resident protests

Bank rezone passes first reading despite resident protests

HOLMES BEACH – City commissioners are halfway through rezoning approvals for the former Regions Bank property, despite the protests of several residents who’d rather not see a new Publix pharmacy and…
June 5, 2021
By SUN contributor
Memorial Day weekend parking sparks drama in Holmes Beach

Parking rift between city, county widens over Memorial Day

HOLMES BEACH – Memorial Day weekend brought thousands of people to Anna Maria Island to celebrate the holiday weekend, exacerbating the disagreement between Manatee County commissioners and Holmes Be…
May 30, 2021
By SUN contributor
Memorial Day weekend parking sparks drama in Holmes Beach

Memorial Day weekend parking sparks drama in Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – The ongoing saga of beach parking in the biggest city on Anna Maria Island is hitting a fever pitch over the busy Memorial Day weekend. In a bid to gain more parking for Manatee Cou…
May 28, 2021
By SUN contributor
Privateers Fourth of July parade is a go

Privateers Fourth of July parade is a go

HOLMES BEACH – With the support of Holmes Beach city leaders, the Anna Maria Island Privateers’ Fourth of July Processional is officially coming back in 2021. Commissioners voted unanimously durin…