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Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues
Community News, Manatee County

Hurricanes hit tourist development tax revenues

Mar 10, 2025 – Joe Hendricks
February 26, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
State law prohibits renting, selling self-repaired homes for one year

State law prohibits renting, selling self-repaired homes for one year

HOLMES BEACH – Duplex owner David Phillips was shocked to learn that if he pulls the permits to repair his hurricane-damaged structure himself, he can’t rent it out or sell it for one year. Phillips…
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February 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City considers allowing temporary shelters

City considers allowing temporary shelters

BRADENTON BEACH – The city commission discussed a Florida law at its Feb. 20 meeting that allows hurricane-impacted homeowners to place a temporary shelter, including an RV or trailer, on their resid…
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February 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
ty, not FEMA, will remove condemned buildings

City, not FEMA, will remove condemned buildings

BRADENTON BEACH – City commissioners voted to use the city’s Code Enforcement department pro­cess rather than go through FEMA to remove buildings condemned after Hurricanes Helene and Milton if prope…
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February 26, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Commissioners pass resolution to protect municipal clerk privacy

Commissioners pass resolution to protect municipal clerk privacy

BRADENTON BEACH – City com­missioners have approved a resolution urging the Florida Legislature to provide a public records exemption protecting the personal information of municipal clerks and emplo…
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February 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year

Duncan Real Estate, Murphy named Citizens of the Year

ANNA MARIA – Duncan Real Estate and former mayor Dan Murphy are the city of Anna Maria’s Distinguished Citizens of the Year for 2024. Murphy and Duncan Real Estate owner Darcie Duncan received the a…
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February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City outlines 'deficiencies' in Cushing's work

City outlines ‘deficiencies’ in Cushing’s work

BRADENTON BEACH – Mayor John Chappie read aloud a memo at a Feb. 20 City Commission meeting addressing the job performance of former city Building Official Darin Cushing. The memo outlined what the…
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February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
City releases audio of Cushing suspension

City releases audio of Cushing suspension

BRADENTON BEACH – The city has released a Jan. 22 audio re­cording from the meeting between Mayor John Chappie and former Building Official Darin Cushing in which Cushing was suspended from the city’…
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February 24, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Cosby responds to Cushing allegations

Cosby responds to Cushing allegations

BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby responded at a Feb. 20 commission meeting to allegations made by former Building Official Darin Cushing that he was pres­sured to a…
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February 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Greg Ross’s life celebrated

Greg Ross’s life celebrated

ANNA MARIA – Community members filled The Center of Anna Maria Island gymnasium on Feb. 22 to celebrate the life of Ross Built Custom Homes founder Greg Ross. Greg, 59, passed away unexpectedly at h…
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February 24, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach eliminates ‘lookback’ for substantial improvements

Holmes Beach eliminates ‘lookback’ for substantial improvements

HOLMES BEACH – Property own­ers in the city are no longer subject to a one-year lookback requirement regarding the total cumulative cost of repairs, renovations or recon­struction made to their struc…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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