Community News
February 18, 2025
Siddique discusses future of Cortez Marina at town hall meeting
MANATEE COUNTY – Commissioners are floating the idea of charging for ramp access at the yet-to-be constructed Cortez Marina.
Manatee County purchased the Seafood Shack property in December for $13…
February 18, 2025
County commissioner addresses building permit delays
HOLMES BEACH – The Manatee County Development Services department has received more than 11,000 building permit applications in recent months, many of them hurricane-related.
The ongoing delays in o…
February 18, 2025
Pines homeowners offered more time in exchange for titles
BRADENTON BEACH – Pines Park homeowners may be able to extend their tenancy under conditions that include relinquishing the titles to their mobile homes to the park ownership.
In a Feb. 4 email to P…
February 17, 2025
Former building official alleges pressure to condemn properties, threats
BRADENTON BEACH – Former city Building Official Darin Cushing alleges that he saw the city attorney and a well-known developer drive around the city together looking for hurricane-damaged structures…
February 17, 2025
Morton resigns from Holmes Beach commission
HOLMES BEACH – Longtime City Commissioner Pat Morton has resigned and recent city commission candidate and current Planning Commissioner Steve Oelfke is expected to serve in that role until the next…
February 17, 2025
City approves building official, floodplain manager candidates
BRADENTON BEACH – The city has gotten one step closer to finding a full-time replacement for former Building Official Darin Cushing. Cushing, a contractual employee of M.T. Causley, was suspended by…
February 17, 2025
Fishing Festival proves ‘Swamped, but never sunk’
CORTEZ – For the first time in the five months since a hurricane swamped the area, people were once again smiling and enjoying the camaraderie of their friends and neighbors at the 43rd Annual Cortez…
February 15, 2025
Roque Pastorius remembered
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Former Monkey Bus owner/operator Roque Pastorius, 61, passed away during the early morning hours on Jan. 30.
He is survived by his wife of nearly 40 years, Kathy, their adult dau…
February 10, 2025
Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival this weekend
CORTEZ – The two-day 43rd Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival will bring local seafood, live music, local art and educational talks to the historic fishing village this weekend from 10 a.m. to…
February 10, 2025
FEMA review may jeopardize flood insurance, buildings
BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance rate discounts, the ability to obtain flood insurance, and even some buildings may be in jeopardy after FEMA reviews the…













