Community News
July 1, 2025
Significant stormwater fee increase proposed
HOLMES BEACH – City property owners may soon see their annual stormwater assessment fee increase by as much as 205%, rising from $2.95 per 100 square feet of property to $4.95 or $9 per 100 square fe…
July 1, 2025
Gloria Dei owners decline city’s initial offer
HOLMES BEACH – The owners of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church property did not accept the city’s $3 million offer to purchase the church building and property at 6608 Marina Drive.
On June 25, Taylor…
July 1, 2025
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…
July 1, 2025
Teenager seriously injured in Anna Maria golf cart accident
ANNA MARIA – A 15-year-old golf cart passenger suffered traumatic head and chest injuries after being ejected from a golf cart at the intersection of North Shore Drive and Spring Avenue in Anna Maria…
June 24, 2025
County, city officials discuss traffic management
BRADENTON BEACH – Manatee County and Bradenton Beach officials discussed lengthening the eastbound merge lane on Cortez Road to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Cortez Road and Gulf Drive…
June 24, 2025
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…
June 23, 2025
City, county officials discuss pier replacement, ferry landing
ANNA MARIA – City officials’ desire to rebuild the hurricane-damaged City Pier walkway and Manatee County officials’ desire to install a ferry landing at the pier are financially and philosophically…
June 23, 2025
Manatee County, Bradenton Beach officials discuss ferry options
BRADENTON BEACH – The future Cortez Marina at the site of the former Seafood Shack restaurant is expected to become an integral part of Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry system.
County commissione…
June 17, 2025
Anna Maria adopting ordinance prohibiting beach holes
ANNA MARIA – The city will soon have a “No Holes on Beach” ordinance in effect that prohibits using metal shovels and other gardening tools to dig holes in the beach sand.
On June 12, Anna Maria com…
June 17, 2025
Mayor seeks TDC support for pier replacement project
ANNA MARIA – The Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC) recommends that the county commission provide the city of Anna Maria with up to $2 million in tourist development tax revenues to hel…















