Featured
July 11, 2022
Chief concerned about lifeguard shortage
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Parking spots at Cortez Beach were nearly filled last Thursday and beachgoers packed the prime areas near the water, but one location remained empty – the lifeguard stand.
The…
July 11, 2022
Coquina Beach jetty to be refurbished
BRADENTON BEACH – The aging wooden jetty at the southernmost end of Coquina Beach is scheduled to be refurbished next spring and extended back to its original length.
The jetty, which extends into…
July 4, 2022
July Fourth weekend crowds return to Anna Maria Island
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island was packed and traffic stretched for more than a mile to get onto the Island most of the weekend as everyone from international visitors to local Floridians flocked to…
July 4, 2022
Hunters Point dock permit hearing to continue
CORTEZ – The public can watch the next Hunters Point Resort & Marina dock permit challenge hearing on Zoom, scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 9:30 a.m. through Thursday, Aug. 18 at the Southwest…
July 4, 2022
Monkey Bus sold; new owners to focus on safety
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Sally Dirbas and her son, Mitchell Gross, a Monkey Bus driver for more than a year, have acquired the Monkey Bus from Island Beach Monkeys LLC, operated by Roque Pastorius.
Dir…
June 28, 2022
Celebrate Independence Day safely
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For many, no proper Fourth of July celebration is complete without setting off fireworks. However, private displays of bombs bursting in air are illegal on the Island.
Though f…
June 28, 2022
County commissioner accused of theft
HOLMES BEACH – Manatee County voters are no strangers to political antics when it comes to local elections, but the case of the disappearing election signs has turned serious, with an accusation of t…
June 28, 2022
Hit-and-run driver sentenced to jail time
MANATEE COUNTY – Cierra Shannon, 28, of Holmes Beach, was sentenced on June 20 to four years in prison after pleading no contest on April 11 to a first-degree felony charge of leaving the scene of a…
June 21, 2022
Van Ostenbridge, Baugh Sunshine Law compliance questioned
MANATEE COUNTY – Constituent Dave Tank believes he heard Manatee County Commission Chairman Kevin Van Ostenbridge and County Commissioner Vanessa Baugh discussing county business in a manner that was…
June 21, 2022
City to stop resort from monopolizing beach access parking
BRADENTON BEACH – The city is addressing complaints about the city-owned beach access at the west end of 23rd Street North being used as guest-only parking for a privately owned resort.
According…











