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Community News


February 5, 2024
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Legislature’s efforts to preempt vacation rental regulation to the state took a significant step forward when the Florida Senate passed Senate Bill 280 on Feb. 1. After pre…
February 5, 2024
BRADENTON BEACH – Following the demolition of the colorful Joe’s Eats N Sweets building to make way for a 106-room hotel/restaurant/retail project, the cleared site is being used as an interim paid p…
January 29, 2024
ANNA MARIA – Kathleen Morgan and Gary McMullen are the newest members of the city commission. On Jan. 25, commissioners Mark Short, Jon Crane and Charlie Salem appointed Morgan and McMullen to fill…
January 29, 2024
HOLMES BEACH – City commissioners are fighting to maintain home rule and they’re seeking community support to make that happen. During a Jan. 23 meeting, Commissioner Terry Schaefer said that he hop…
January 29, 2024
BRADENTON BEACH – The third of four buildings has come down to clear the way for a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail complex at the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South. On Jan. 26, de…
January 29, 2024
MANATEE COUNTY – Despite having candidates to fill seven vacancies on the nine-seat county Library Advisory Board, county commissioners declined to make any appointments or reappoint two candidates t…

January 23, 2024
MANATEE COUNTY – Commissioners and staff at West Manatee Fire Rescue kicked off the new year on a festive note as the district presented its annual awards, recognizing the contributions to the depart…

January 23, 2024
BRADENTON BEACH – Two residents have expressed interest in filling the vacancy left by the Dec. 28 resignation of City Commissioner Jake Spooner. Spooner, a commissioner since 2015 from Ward 1, resi…

January 23, 2024
BRADENTON BEACH – A new building official has been hired following the Dec. 15 retirement of Steve Gilbert. Commissioners approved a contract for Darin Cushing on Jan. 18 as city building official f…

January 23, 2024
ANNA MARIA – Crime in the city of Anna Maria decreased overall by 18% in 2023 compared to 2022, according to Lt. John Belt from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. On Jan. 11, Belt provided the may…