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SUN contributor

SUN contributor

March 17, 2017
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August 5, 2024
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Open letter to the governor

Dear Gov. DeSantis, I am a lifelong Republican and a 20+ year Manatee County, Florida resident. I have always supported you and your policies – until recently. It greatly troubled me when you appoi…
July 29, 2024
By SUN contributor
Treehouse demolition imminent

Treehouse demolition imminent

HOLMES BEACH – A controversial treehouse is scheduled to be dismantled by July 31 under a court order from the 12th Judicial Circuit Court for Manatee County. Treehouse owner Lynn Tran said the city…
July 23, 2024
By SUN contributor

Letter to the Editor: Preserve our neighborhoods

We inadvertently became involved with city issues a decade ago. We attended almost every Holmes Beach Commission meeting and work session for several years. We have attended some Anna Maria, Manatee…
July 22, 2024
By SUN contributor
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Candidates report campaign contributions

HOLMES BEACH – The race to fill two commission seats and the mayoral seat on the dais is underway in Anna Maria Island’s largest city. Though the election is still months away on Nov. 5, candidates a…
July 17, 2024
By SUN contributor

Cleanup in aisle 3

To err is human, the old axiom goes, and we Republicans proved ourselves all too human in 2020 when we put Kevin Van Ostenbridge (KVO) on the Manatee County Board of Commissioners (commission). Now…
July 15, 2024
By SUN contributor
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City presents 2024-25 budget

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are working to keep property taxes as low as possible despite property values increasing an estimated 11.8%. To do that, they’re planning to keep the millage rate at 2.05…
July 8, 2024
By SUN contributor
Construction stalls Holmes Beach businesses

Construction stalls Holmes Beach businesses

HOLMES BEACH – Some businesses have had a hard few years with a lot of it due to ongoing construction at and around their locations. Businesses in the S&S Plaza on Gulf Drive and along Holmes Bo…
July 8, 2024
By SUN contributor
Fans say goodbye to treehouse

Fans say goodbye to treehouse

HOLMES BEACH – The treehouse had its last holiday over the July Fourth weekend. Owner Lynn Tran opened the property at Angelinos Sea Lodge to fans of the structure to allow them a chance to take pho…
July 2, 2024
By SUN contributor

County leaders push for Holmes Beach water taxi stop

HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are willing to consider a water taxi stop in Anna Maria Island’s largest municipality. But they say it will be up to Manatee County leaders to put forth a site plan change…
July 1, 2024
By SUN contributor
Treehouse owners prep for demolition

Treehouse owners prep for demolition

HOLMES BEACH – The bells are tolling their last for the beachfront treehouse at Angelinos Sea Lodge as an attorney for the owners has confirmed in court that the structure will be demolished by the e…
June 25, 2024
By SUN contributor
FDEP educates officials on mangroves

FDEP educates officials on mangroves

HOLMES BEACH – Representatives from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) want to make sure that city leaders know what they’re getting into if they opt to take over mangrove regu…
June 25, 2024
By SUN contributor
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City leaders discuss charter review commission changes

HOLMES BEACH – Last year’s election left city leaders in a bit of a pickle. While there’s been no shortage of people volunteering for most of the city’s volunteer boards, the charter review commissio…
June 19, 2024
By SUN contributor
Sarasota brunch restaurant to take place of local favorite

Sarasota brunch restaurant to take place of local favorite

HOLMES BEACH – The community said goodbye last week to Peach’s Restaurant, a long-time Anna Maria Island staple for breakfast and lunch on East Bay Drive. The restaurant’s doors officially closed at…
June 19, 2024
By SUN contributor
School zone changes approved

School zone changes approved

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners have approved changes for the school zone in front of Anna Maria Elementary School, but drivers won’t notice them until school begins on Aug. 12. A new ordinance will ex…
June 17, 2024
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach City Hall

Holmes Beach election race begins

HOLMES BEACH – Qualifying is over, and the race has officially begun for two city commission seats and the position of mayor. With challengers in each race, no incumbent is safe this year. Incumbent…