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Manatee County

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Anna Maria Island, Community News, Manatee County

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Sep 19, 2023 – Joe Hendricks
July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks

Turner appointed to county commission

MANATEE COUNTY – Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Ray Turner to replace Vanessa Baugh on the Manatee County Commission. The governor’s appointment was to take effect Aug. 1. Turner takes over for emb…
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July 17, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
County water taxis arrive

County water taxis arrive

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s two newly-built water taxis have arrived and negotiations continue between the county and the city of Anna Maria regarding the City Pier being used as a water taxi stop…
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July 17, 2023
By SUN contributor

Group disputes county claim that drinking water remains safe

MANATEE COUNTY – A blue-green algae outbreak reported last week at Lake Manatee, the county’s primary drinking water reservoir, has prompted a local water quality watchdog group to question Manatee C…
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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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June 12, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Water taxi agreement disappoints Anna Maria officials

Water taxi agreement disappoints Anna Maria officials

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy and the city commission are not yet willing to sign a proposed interlocal agreement that would allow Manatee County to use the City Pier as a water taxi stop. The cou…
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May 22, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Hurricane Expo stresses preparedness

Hurricane Expo stresses preparedness

PALMETTO – Even though Anna Maria Island and most of Manatee County dodged the worst of Hurricane Ian last year, there were still plenty of lessons learned, and the community was reminded of how much…
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May 1, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental bills reach final votes

Vacation rental bills reach final votes

ANNA MARIA – Local governments, including those on Anna Maria Island, are in danger of losing their ability to regulate short-term vacation rentals at the local level. Using a contracted lobbyist…
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April 24, 2023
By Jason Schaffer
Library advisory board to expand

Library advisory board to expand

BRADENTON – Concerned citizens symbolically held up books, such as Sun Tzu’s “The Art of War,” in protest of a controversial proposal by Manatee County Commissioner Amanda Ballard at the April 18 com…
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April 10, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City attorney: No reserved spaces for water taxi

City attorney: No reserved spaces for water taxi

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry told commissioners last week that they cannot promise to designate a reserved space for the proposed water taxi on the floating day dock next to the Brad…
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April 10, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Abandoned boat at Robinson Preserve

Abandoned boat at Robinson Preserve

BRADENTON – Adding to the many abandoned boats littering local waters is a cabin cruiser that has run aground at Robinson Preserve. A local resident who asked not to be identified contacted The Su…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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