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SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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August 20, 2019
By SUN contributor
Score a strike at the LaPensee Bowling Tournament

Score a strike at the LaPensee Bowling Tournament

The LaPensee Bowling Tournament, supporting The Center of Anna Maria Island, returns to Bowlero Bradenton for a night of fun competition on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 5 p.m. The annual event is a fundra…
August 20, 2019
By SUN contributor
Hurricane Harvey

Help spot severe storms with SKYWARN

HOLMES BEACH – The National Weather Service’s Tampa Bay office is looking for some volunteers to help make their forecasts and severe weather warnings more accurate. More than a dozen community me…
August 19, 2019
By SUN contributor
Paid parking may be coming to county boat ramps

Paid parking may be coming to county boat ramps

MANATEE COUNTY – A user fee is being proposed for boaters using any of the Manatee County managed boat ramps. There are 10 county-managed boat ramps in Manatee County with three on Anna Maria Isla…
August 13, 2019
By SUN contributor
We are golden: The 50th anniversary of Woodstock

We are golden: The 50th anniversary of Woodstock

By Brian Finelli – I arrived at Woodstock in Bethel, N.Y. from New Jersey – home from the University of Tampa for the summer. I was familiar with music festivals, having made it to the Miami and Atla…
August 6, 2019
By SUN contributor
Palma Sola Boat Ramp remains closed

Palma Sola Boat Ramp remains closed

PALMETTO – The Palma Sola Boat Ramp remains closed as Manatee County officials seek funding to make necessary repairs. The issue of the closed boat ramp was broached by Bradenton Ward One Councilm…
August 6, 2019
By SUN contributor
Special magistrate rules in favor of city

Special magistrate rules in favor of city

HOLMES BEACH – There were eight cases on the docket for a code compliance special magistrate hearing July 31. Six cases were granted a continuance to a Sept. 11 hearing. The continuance requested for…
August 6, 2019
By SUN contributor
Center of Anna Maria Island

Center ends year on a high note

ANNA MARIA – The Center of Anna Maria Island’s fiscal year ended with cause for celebration. After years of financial struggles, the nonprofit ended another year in the black with $91,479.35 in the b…
August 6, 2019
By SUN contributor
‘SoulJourn’ shakes up Roser services

‘SoulJourn’ shakes up Roser services

ANNA MARIA – The pastoral staff at Roser Memorial Community Church is shaking things up, first with the addition of new Praise and Worship Leader Derrick Williams and second with the addition of a ne…
July 30, 2019
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach logo OLD

Holmes Beach budget questions answered

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders began budget talks for the 2019-20 fiscal year beginning in July. With two budget hearings now set for September, The Sun is taking your questions to city leaders to get a…
July 30, 2019
By SUN contributor
Grassy Point expansion plans stall

Grassy Point expansion plans stall

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners are concerned about what a potential donation of 26 acres to Grassy Point Preserve in exchange for road access along a city-owned right of way might mean for a 28th Stree…
July 25, 2019
By SUN contributor

Letters: Horses on the causeway

I appreciate your article in the Anna Maria Island Sun dealing with potential health concerns of horse fecal matter on the Palma Sola Causeway. In fact, your article also brought up for me another co…
July 16, 2019
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach budget talks begin

Holmes Beach budget talks begin

HOLMES BEACH – The city’s initial budget workshops are completed and city leaders have a budget that they’re prepared to present to residents in September at two budget hearings. Holmes Beach Trea…
July 16, 2019
By SUN contributor
Skate park design nears completion

Skate park design nears completion

HOLMES BEACH – The preliminary designs are in for the city’s new cement skate park, but funds are still needed to construct the bowl addition. Tito Porrata, lead designer and project manager with…
July 16, 2019
By SUN contributor
Mobility program dropped in favor of ban

Mobility program dropped in favor of ban

HOLMES BEACH – The wait is over for the owners of Mobile Muttley’s, at least in Holmes Beach. Commissioners agreed in a 3-2 informal vote during a July 9 work session to not move forward with a one-y…
July 2, 2019
By SUN contributor
More changes proposed for VRC program

More changes proposed for VRC program

HOLMES BEACH – At their June 27 work session, commissioners continued the discussion on how to amend the city’s vacation rental certificate program ordinance, ending the discussion with some decision…