Community News
September 23, 2024
WMFR presents Phoenix Awards
MANATEE COUNTY – Staff and commissioners at West Manatee Fire Rescue are celebrating 10 lives saved as they presented Phoenix Awards and a Civilian Service Award.
The district bestows Phoenix Awards…
September 23, 2024
Police chief named public works director
BRADENTON BEACH – Police Chief John Cosby is also now the city’s permanent public works director.
Cosby previously served as the city’s temporary public works director since longtime director Tom…
September 23, 2024
Sun archive installed at Historical Museum
ANNA MARIA – The new Anna Maria Island Sun newspaper archive is now on permanent display at the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum.
The newspapers were preserved by longtime Sun reporter and copy…
September 16, 2024
Holmes Beach lowers millage rate
HOLMES BEACH – Property owners are getting a tax break on their 2024-25 property tax bills.
Commissioners voted to reduce the proposed millage rate from 2.05 mills to 1.99 mills, a six-point reducti…
September 16, 2024
2024-25 budget passes first hearing
HOLMES BEACH – The city’s proposed 2024-25 budget is over halfway to the finish line to be in place for the Oct . 1 start of the fiscal year.
Commissioners held the first of two public hearings for…
September 16, 2024
Pavers selected for Pine Avenue sidewalks
ANNA MARIA – City commissioners have selected the specific type of pervious brick pavers to be used to install new sidewalks along Pine Avenue.
The first phase of the new brick paver sidewalks wi…
September 16, 2024
City pursuing drainage study funds
ANNA MARIA – City officials are pursuing a coastal resiliency grant to fund a study that identifies the best locations to install underground pumps and pipes to speed the removal of floodwaters from…
September 16, 2024
Seymour, Short seek mayor’s job
ANNA MARIA – Brian Seymour and Mark Short both want to succeed Dan Murphy as Anna Maria’s next mayor, with the winner to be determined in the upcoming election. On Sept. 12, they participated in a ca…
September 16, 2024
One parking lot meets city deadline; three closed
BRADENTON BEACH – One of four paid parking lots owned by Shawn Kaleta was brought into compliance by the city’s Sept. 9 deadline for adherence to several requirements.
The applicants opted to close…
September 10, 2024
Proposed Bradenton Beach budgets adopted
BRADENTON BEACH – The city’s proposed 2024-25 general fund and Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) budgets are one step from final adoption.
During the Sept. 5 budget hearings, the Bradenton Beach…













