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State's reopening order of little consequence to Island bars
Anna Maria Island, Community News

State’s reopening order of little consequence to Island bars

Sep 14, 2020 – Joe Hendricks
August 31, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Churches excluded from county’s face covering resolution

Churches excluded from county’s face-covering mandate

MANATEE COUNTY – Churches and all other houses of worship are now excluded from the mandatory face-covering provisions included in a recent Manatee County resolution. On Tuesday, Aug. 25, county c…
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August 30, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID concerns

Bayfest 2020 postponed due to COVID-19 concerns

ANNA MARIA – The Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce’s 20th annual Bayfest celebration has been postponed indefinitely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Chamber officials hoped to host a two-day Bay…
August 30, 2020
By SUN contributor
WMFR logo

WMFR hosts first budget hearing

BRADENTON – The budget for West Manatee Fire Rescue’s 2020-21 fiscal year is one step closer to approval. Commissioners held a first public hearing for the new budget during an Aug. 25 meeting hel…
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August 30, 2020
By SUN contributor

Welcome home, Roger

HOLMES BEACH – Roger the mannequin is back home in one piece, and his owner, Maggie Patall, is thrilled. “He’s happy to be home with his community,” Patall said after Roger’s missing limbs were fo…
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August 29, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named

Top two City Pier grill and bait shop bidders to be named

ANNA MARIA – Mayor Dan Murphy plans to present city commissioners with a shortlist containing his top two recommended City Pier grill and bait shop bidders on Tuesday, Sept. 1. During the emergenc…
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August 29, 2020
By SUN contributor

Bradenton City Council joins horse debate

BRADENTON – The horseback riding operations along the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue West are again under scrutiny, this time by Bradenton City Council members. During an Aug. 19 emergency…
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August 24, 2020
By SUN contributor
Welcome home Roger

Saying goodbye to Roger

HOLMES BEACH – If you travel down Gulf Drive, you may notice that something’s missing. Roger the mannequin, a beloved neighborhood personality, is gone. Roger sat on a second-floor balcony at M…
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August 24, 2020
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

Anna Maria prepares to impose impact fees

ANNA MARIA – Developers can expect to soon pay impact fees when building new structures or increasing the size of existing structures in Anna Maria. On Thursday, Aug. 27, Anna Maria City Commissio…
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August 24, 2020
By SUN contributor
City leaders, resort owner face off in court

City leaders, resort owner face off in court

MANATEE COUNTY – A disagreement between Holmes Beach city leaders and the ownership at the Bali Hai Beach Resort has escalated, resulting in two hearings held the week of Aug. 17. On Aug. 19, two…
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August 23, 2020
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach logo OLD

Special magistrate rules on seven code issues

HOLMES BEACH – Attorney Michael Connelly had his hands full on Aug. 19 when he reprised his role as the city’s special magistrate, hearing seven code compliance hearings in one day. The first case…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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