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January 9, 2024
Commissioners discuss redistricting, commission vacancy
BRADENTON BEACH – Following the vacancy left by the Dec. 28 resignation of Commissioner Jake Spooner, city commissioners discussed the course of action to fill his position at a Jan. 4 meeting.
The…
January 9, 2024
Ferry service launches Friday
ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s Gulf Island Ferry service is scheduled to launch and make its first stop at the Anna Maria City Pier on Friday, Jan. 12. The first ferry trip to Bradenton Beach remains…
January 1, 2024
Person of the Year: John Stevely a force for nature
CORTEZ – Habitat preservation is thriving in Cortez due in large part to the commitment of the late John Stevely.
A founding member of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and an earl…
January 1, 2024
Person of the Year: Judy Titsworth defends city’s home rule
HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Holmes Titsworth has consistently defended the city against Manatee County officials and Florida legislators who propose to chip away at home rule, particularly on the parki…
December 28, 2023
New financial disclosure law impacting AMI governments
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Jake Spooner has resigned because of the state’s expanded Form 6 financial disclosure requirements that now apply to all Florida mayors and city…
December 22, 2023
Anna Maria: The Year in Review
ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental legislation, consolidation, the Gulf Island Ferry service, the Mote Marine outreach center, the Reimagining Pine Avenue planning process and the city’s 100th anniversary…
December 22, 2023
Bright Holiday Lights winners announced
ANNA MARIA – The city’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest produced a repeat winner and a first-time winner.
For the second year in a row, Andrea and Jim Stepan won the residential category…
December 22, 2023
Mangrove removal triggers scrutiny
ANNA MARIA – A company identified by Mayor Dan Murphy in a Dec. 18 email as the contractor at a residential construction site where mangroves were removed was not the responsible party, he told The S…
December 18, 2023
Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes
ANNA MARIA – During each Christmas season, Anna Maria resident Carl Augostini, 85, provides bikes for underprivileged children and adults in need.
“This year, I did a total of 36 bikes – a new rec…
December 18, 2023
Anna Maria responds to OPPAGA request
ANNA MARIA – The city of Anna Maria submitted a 19-page response to the consolidation study-related request for information letter received from the Florida Office of Program Policy Analysis and Gove…













