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Anna Maria Island

Water main repair on bridge postponed
Anna Maria Island, Community News

Water main repair on bridge postponed

Sep 4, 2023 – Leslie Lake
August 29, 2023
By SUN contributor

Tracking Hurricane Idalia

Tuesday, Aug. 29, 5 p.m. UPDATE: MANATEE COUNTY – Hurricane Idalia has been upgraded to a Category 2 storm with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour. The storm is anticipated to continue…
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August 22, 2023
By Leslie Lake
AMI natives lend helping hands in Maui fires

AMI natives lend helping hands in Maui fires

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Several former Island residents are lending assistance to the fire-stricken areas in Maui, Hawaii. Fires broke out there on Aug. 8, killing more than 100 people, with many more m…
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August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Insurance costs stall Monkey Buses

Insurance costs stall Monkey Buses

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Due to increased insurance costs, the popular Monkey Bus shuttle service on and around the Island has been suspended with the hope of resuming operations soon. Sally Dirbas and h…
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July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island’s evolution into a vacation rental destination and the resulting lack of affordable housing has displaced many former permanent residents who rented their homes. Alex B…
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July 11, 2023
By SUN contributor
Island population drops in all three cities

Island population drops in all three cities

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – It may not come as a surprise to some long-time residents, but the population of this seven-mile stretch of paradise is dwindling. While the U.S. Census Bureau conducts 10-year…
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July 11, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Pat Copeland’s life and legacy celebrated

Pat Copeland’s life, legacy celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Pat Copeland’s celebration of life included family, friends, co-workers, tears, laughter, music, poetry and a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue. Pat passed away on…
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July 11, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Water main back in service

Water main back in service

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The water main that broke on the Manatee Avenue Bridge on June 19 is back in service, Manatee County officials say. As work ensued on the broken pipe, another pipe continued to…
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July 10, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
New mural adorns Island Branch Library

New mural adorns Island Branch Library

HOLMES BEACH – Heads are turning as people drive past the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, after the recent addition of a colorful mural that stretches the length of the west side of the lib…
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July 3, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Water taxi expected to launch soon

Water taxi expected to launch soon

BRADENTON – An open house held on June 27 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) offered answers to many of the questions regarding the long-…
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July 3, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
New state law impacts local ordinances

New state law impacts local ordinances

ANNA MARIA – Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed legislation that makes it more challenging for Florida cities and counties to adopt local ordinances. On June 29, DeSantis signed into law legislation the…
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April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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