Skip to main content
Tom Vaught

Tom Vaught

February 23, 2016
Sun contributor Tom Vaught covers obituaries. Email
Email Tom Vaught
August 31, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Rob Velardi

Velardi succumbs to cancer

Holmes Beach Police Chief William Tokajer has announced in an e-mail that retired patrolman Robert Velardi died Tuesday, Aug. 29. Velardi retired Jan. 2, 2017 after serving 30 years patrolling the…
August 30, 2017
By Tom Vaught
AME students miss school for solar eclipse

Solar eclipse entices students from school

HOLMES BEACH – The classrooms at Anna Maria Elementary were all but deserted on Monday, Aug. 21, the day of the solar eclipse. “Sixty-six percent of the 268 students registered here missed school…
August 29, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Cortez bridge

Cortezians prepare for bridge hearing

CORTEZ – Approximately 30 citizens braved the thunderstorms Saturday afternoon at Fisherman’s Hall to discuss strategy for the final public hearing on a replacement for the Cortez Bridge set for Thur…
August 22, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Solar eclipse 082117

A solar eyefull

The outside portion of the Bridge Tender Inn is a nice place to observe the boats moored in the bay. But Monday afternoon, people were turning their attention upward to watch a rare event – a solar e…
August 1, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Tropical Storm Emily

Emily delivers a slap to the Island

Anna Maria Island residents awakened Monday to heavy rains and winds as Tropical Storm Emily took made landfall about 10:45 a.m. The fast-moving Emily formed overnight in the Gulf of Mexico, then…
July 29, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Library engineers

Future engineers at library

Kids and parents showed up at the Island Branch Library on Thursday, July 20, to develop their engineering talents with games and Legos. It was a good crowd and kids went from one table to another. I…
July 26, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Chiles Group scholarships

Chiles Group honors scholars

The Chiles Group, through the Manatee Community Foundation, awarded six scholarships to deserving students who are, or were, employees and relatives of employees at one of the three waterfront restau…
July 5, 2017
By Tom Vaught
raccoon

Distemper in raccoons a threat

Longtime Island resident Pat Copeland had a scare from a raccoon recently. “I went outside to check my Little Free Library, and when I turned to come back to the house, I saw a raccoon on the fron…
July 5, 2017
By Tom Vaught
U.S. flag

Heavy crowds, no major problems for holiday

This year’s Fourth of July, although filled with the sounds of fireworks, seemed quieter than years past, thanks in part to preparation and execution by the three city governments and volunteer agenc…
June 23, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Legos at the Island Branch Library

Legos excavation at library

The Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, hosts Legos Excavation on Saturday, June 24, from 2 to 3 p.m. It’s part of the library’s free summer activities where learning is mixed wit…
June 22, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Island Branch Library

Pre-school story time features “All Round the Town”

Children’s Services Librarian Trudy Bell will have fun activities at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, on Tuesday, June 27 from 10 to 11 a.m. during pre-school story time. T…
June 21, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Kiwanis logo

Kiwanis discusses business in Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance Executive Director Heather Kasten will be the speaker at the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island meeting at the Manatee Beach Café, 4000 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, on Sa…
June 21, 2017
By Tom Vaught
WMFR logo

Learn CPR now to save lives later

West Manatee Fire Rescue presents a free monthly CPR class on Saturday, June 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Pre-registration is required and…
June 21, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Turtle nest

Turtle talk at Senior Adventures

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring Director Suzi Fox will give an update on the nesting season at Senior Adventures on Friday, June 23, at 10 a.m. at Annie Silver Community Cente…
June 21, 2017
By Tom Vaught
Kayakers at Robinson Preserve

Explore Robinson Preserve by kayak at sundown

Nature explorers bring their own canoe or kayak plus safety equipment on Monday, June 26, from 7 to 9 p.m. for a sunset, starlight paddle at Robinson Preserve. It’s a great way to spend a Monday even…