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Data shows tourism drop after spring break
Business, Tourism

Data shows tourism drop after spring break

Jun 19, 2024 – Jason Schaffer
May 21, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Lower your mortgage rate – it’s possible

Last week the big news was the escalation of mortgage rates and the prediction by the mortgage “experts” that we’re not seeing them being lowered anytime soon. This week we’ll touch on ways to maybe…
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May 14, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Buyers losing hope

Tired of waiting for mortgage rates to come down? You’re not alone. Every potential buyer out there is waiting for the same thing, the problem is the Federal Reserve isn’t moving the needle, so it mi…
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May 13, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
March tourism numbers soar

March tourism numbers soar

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – March tourism numbers are up from last year in all three Island cities, significantly so in the City of Anna Maria. Each month, the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office reports…
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May 7, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Boomers continue to boom

Just when you think they’re too old to influence the smart, better-educated and computer-savvy younger generations, they raise their grey and balding heads again to remind their kids and grandkids th…
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May 6, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ferry service to Longboat Key discussed

Ferry service to Longboat Key discussed

LONGBOAT KEY – Gulf Islands Ferry service may one day be expanded to the north end of Long­boat Key, but that isn’t expected to happen in the immediate future. Future ferry service was one of the…
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April 30, 2024
By Louise Bolger

Florida insurance ground zero

We are on the brink of hurricane season and this year promises to be an active one, so what goes hand in hand with hurricanes? Insurance. We’re talking here about homeowners’ insurance, although flo…
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April 29, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
Bed tax increase to be decided by voters

Voters to decide tourist tax increase

MANATEE COUNTY – County commissioners were set to vote on whether to increase the county’s tourist tax, also known as the bed tax, from 5% to 6% at their April 23 meeting, but the item was removed fr…
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April 22, 2024
By Jason Schaffer

TDC recommends raising tourist tax

BRADENTON – A visit to Manatee County could soon cost tourists more, as the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) voted unanimously to recommend raising the county’s tourism tax from 5% to…
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April 22, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
Tourism numbers rise

Tourism numbers rise

ANNA MARIA – Research Data Services’ Anne Wittine presented her upbeat state of tourism report to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) on April 15. Wittine’s report featured the late…
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April 22, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Marina bar remains closed

Marina bar remains closed

BRADENTON BEACH – After city officials put a halt to what they said was the unpermitted operation of a new bar at the Bradenton Beach Marina in March, building official Darin Cushing said the proper…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

The Off-Stage Ladies of the Island Players, April luncheon meeting