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Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island, Community News

Shorebird nesting season has begun on Anna Maria Island

Mar 24, 2026 – Leslie Lake
November 18, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria honors veterans with parade, recognition ceremony

Anna Maria honors veterans on Veterans Day

ANNA MARIA – Colder than usual weather didn’t chill the appreciation, attendance and enthusiasm for the city of Anna Maria’s Old Soldiers & Sailors Veterans Day parade and the post-parade veteran…
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November 4, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach election results

Oelfke, Patel, Schaefer win Holmes Beach commission seats

HOLMES BEACH – Steve Oelfke, Jessica Patel and Terry Schaefer won city commission seats in the city election that concluded this evening. According to the unofficial election results posted at the M…
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October 15, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
County Marine Unit supervisor retiring

County Marine Unit supervisor retiring

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Marine Unit Supervisor Russell Schnering is retiring at age 55 and Oct. 31 will be his final day of active duty. Schnering spent the past eigh…
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October 6, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County among plaintiffs in suit against state officials

Manatee County among plaintiffs in suit against state officials

LEON COUNTY – Manatee County is among several municipal plaintiffs filing suit seeking declaratory and injunctive relief from a controversial hurricane recovery-related state law enacted earlier this…
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September 23, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Court ruling allows openly carried guns in public places

Court ruling allows openly carried guns in public places

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – A recent court ruling now allows rifles, shotguns, holstered sidearms and other firearms to be openly carried in public throughout Florida, with certain exceptions, prompting wide…
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September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island candidates qualify for fall election cycle

Island candidates qualify for fall election cycle

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The qualifying period for city commission and mayoral candidates on Anna Maria Island ended on Aug. 29 at noon and there will be only one contested city commission race in the upc…
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September 1, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

Island mayors receive OPPAGA study-related letter

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – On Aug. 28, the three Anna Maria Island mayors received an OPPAGA-related letter from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton). Addressed…
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July 1, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Island police prepare for July Fourth weekend crowds

Island police prepare for July Fourth weekend crowds

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Local police departments are gearing up for the long holiday weekend with increased presence and reminders to visitors about parking, fireworks and alcohol restrictions. All hand…
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June 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
WMFR prevails in vacation rental lawsuit

WMFR prevails in vacation rental lawsuit

HOLMES BEACH – The West Manatee Fire Rescue District (WMFR) has prevailed in a lawsuit disputing its ability to assess commercial fees on vacation rentals. Filed last year by Holmes Beach-based C&am…
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May 12, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Natural Resources Director discusses state of beaches

Beach improvement projects coming

MANATEE COUNTY – Anna Maria Island beach renourishment is scheduled for 2026-27 at federal expense, but Manatee County must pay to stabilize Gulf Drive, install offshore erosion control breakwaters a…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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