Skip to main content

Community News

Gulf Islands Ferry service begins
Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured

Gulf Islands Ferry service begins

Jan 15, 2024 – Joe Hendricks
January 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria hosting candidates’ forum

Anna Maria hosting candidates’ forum

ANNA MARIA – Seeking to fill two vacant city commission seats, Gary McMullen and Kathleen Morgan are scheduled to participate in a candidate forum on Thursday, Jan. 11 at Anna Maria City Hall. The f…
,
January 9, 2024
By Joe Hendricks
Ferry service launches Friday

Ferry service launches Friday

ANNA MARIA – Manatee County’s Gulf Island Ferry service is scheduled to launch and make its first stop at the Anna Maria City Pier on Friday, Jan. 12. The first ferry trip to Bradenton Beach remains…
, ,
January 1, 2024
By Jason Schaffer
Police chase on and off the Island ends with crash

Police chase on, off Island ends in crash

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies arrested a man after he allegedly battered an Uber driver, stole his vehicle and crashed it into light poles. At about 12:18 a.m…
,
January 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Demolition in progress at proposed hotel site

Demolition in progress at proposed hotel site

BRADENTON BEACH – Shortly after the Dec. 7 city commission approval of a 106-room resort hotel/restaurant/retail complex on the corner of Bridge Street and Gulf Drive South, demolition began on the f…
,
January 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Mangroves removed before protective barrier installed

Mangroves removed before protective barrier installed

ANNA MARIA – More than three weeks after the removal of mangroves at 111 Gull Drive, a required protective water barrier was placed at the site, according to neighbors. The Florida Department of Env…
,
January 1, 2024
By Leslie Lake
Person of the Year: John Stevely

Person of the Year: John Stevely a force for nature

CORTEZ – Habitat preservation is thriving in Cortez due in large part to the commitment of the late John Stevely. A founding member of the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) and an earl…
, ,
January 1, 2024
By SUN contributor
Person of the Year: Judy Titsworth

Person of the Year: Judy Titsworth defends city’s home rule

HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Holmes Titsworth has consistently defended the city against Manatee County officials and Florida legislators who propose to chip away at home rule, particularly on the parki…
, ,
December 28, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
New financial disclosure law impacting AMI governments

New financial disclosure law impacting AMI governments

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Bradenton Beach City Commissioner Jake Spooner has resigned because of the state’s expanded Form 6 financial disclosure requirements that now apply to all Florida mayors and city…
, ,
December 23, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Year in Review: Cortez

Year in Review: Cortez

CORTEZ COMMERCIAL FISHING FESTIVAL CELEBRATES VILLAGE The 41st Annual Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival took place on Feb. 18-19 in the historic fishing village. The festival, which celebrated 100…
, , ,
December 23, 2023
By SUN contributor
Year in Review: Holmes Beach

Year in Review: Holmes Beach

HOLMES BEACH – The bang that kicked off 2023 in Anna Maria Island’s largest city wasn’t the fireworks. The year that was had a lot of ups and downs for both city leaders and residents along with a fe…
, , ,

Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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