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Business

July 29, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria Motel demolished

Anna Maria Motel demolished

ANNA MARIA – The demolition of the old Anna Maria Motel at 808 North Bay Blvd. in Anna Maria began on July 21. Dan and Christine Horvat bought the motel in 2001 and bought a home in Anna Maria befor…
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July 29, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Hurricane recovery grants available for fishing captains, guides

Hurricane recovery grants available for fishing captains, guides

In response to the impact of Hurricanes Helene and Milton to the local recreational fishing industry, Suncoast Waterkeeper and Tampa Bay Waterkeeper have launched grants of up to $1,000 to help cover…
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July 29, 2025
By Louise Bolger

Why aren’t we a boomtown?

Looking for a boomtown? Then look in the South. Eight of the top 10 U.S. metro areas ranking as boomtowns are in the South; five are in Florida. But there’s not one in Manatee or Sarasota counties or…
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July 22, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners approve easement agreement for Drift-In

Commissioners approve easement agreement for Drift-In

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners unanimously approved an amended easement agreement regarding the Drift-In property at a July 17 meeting. The Drift-In had been operat­ing under its temporary use…
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July 21, 2025
By Louise Bolger

Disasters may have silver lining

Last week we talked about the future restoration and look of Cortez after the storms and after the county’s purchase of the Seafood Shack property. This week we’ll cover an emerging trend in the coun…
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July 15, 2025
By Louise Bolger

Look to the future

Time to talk about Cortez again in view of the monumental changes being made on the Cortez peninsula and, by extension, within the fishing village. The changes will affect all Cortez residents and ma…
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July 11, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

Tourist development tax revenues: May 2025

Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax (resort tax) is collected from hotel, motel, resort, condo and other short-term vacation accommodations rented for six months or less. The amounts shown w…
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July 7, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Boiler Room re-opens

Bradenton Boiler Room re-opens

BRADENTON – The cheesesteaks were sizzling on the grills once again as the long-awaited Bradenton Boiler Room opened its doors on July 2. Under new ownership and with a new name, the former Boiler R…
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July 6, 2025
By Louise Bolger

There are bridges and there are bridges

There are a lot of bridges on the coastline of Florida. They serve as an important function to transport vehicles and people to our beautiful beaches and restaurants. However, there is another type o…
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June 30, 2025
By Louise Bolger

Big holiday, not so big housing market

July Fourth is this week, so fire up the grill and hang up the flags, but go easy on the fireworks. You may not need real fireworks after reading the May sales statistics for Manatee County and the g…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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