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Community News

Anna Maria Island, Community News, Cortez, Manatee County

West Manatee Fire Rescue officals address special election results and costs

Mar 17, 2026 – Joe Hendricks
February 27, 2026
By Rodney Kwiatkowski

Volunteers and firefighters safeguard Mount Vernon homes

Volunteers moved door to door throughout the Mount Vernon 55+ condominium community in west Bradenton on Saturday, Feb. 21, with ladders in hand and a shared mission: protecting lives through prevent…
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February 24, 2026
By Sun staff

Thomas Gray Vaught

Thomas Gray Vaught was born on Jan. 2, 1948, in Kansas City, Missouri and he died on Feb. 20, 2026, in Bradenton, Florida at the age of 78. Tom is survived by his wife of 25 years, Darcy Lee Marqu…
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February 11, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Scentral Park dog park improvements progressing

he city is now providing Scentral Park dog park updates at the city website, www.holmesbeachfl.org. The online updates can also be accessed using the QR codes posted on the dog park gates. 
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February 10, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Robert Talham appointed to Bradenton Beach City Commission 

Retired contractor Robert Talham was appointed to serve as the next Ward 4 city commissioner. 
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February 10, 2026
By Leslie Lake

Commission approves Bungalow Beach Resort major development plan 

The Bradenton Beach City Commission approved a major development application for the construction of a two-story, 15-room hotel on the Bungalow Beach Resort property at 2000 and 2014 Gulf Drive N.
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February 6, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

New Holmes Beach city clerk named

HOLMES BEACH – Oregon resident Marina Hovious has been named to succeed Stacey Johnston as Holmes Beach’s next city clerk when Johnston retires on March 6.  Since April 2018, Hovious has serv…
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February 5, 2026
By Leslie Lake

“It Takes a Village” initiative rolled out

The Cortez Village Historical Society rolled out the “It Takes a Village” initiative that promotes protecting Sarasota Bay.
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February 5, 2026
By SUN contributor

City creates bus stop for Anna Maria Elementary student

The Anna Maria Public Works Department installed a school bus stop for Vivian Rose Geller.
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February 5, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Commissioners debate past Gloria Dei purchase offer

On Jan. 27, city commissioners engaged in an impromptu discussion about the currently vacant Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property last used for church services in January 2025.
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February 4, 2026
By Joe Hendricks

Old Wells Fargo bank building to be demolished

Anna Maria Island businessman Jake Spooner now plans to demolish the old Wells Fargo bank building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Marina Drive and build a new building in its place. 
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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