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Ferry service launches Friday
Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured

Ferry service launches Friday

Jan 9, 2024 – Joe Hendricks
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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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December 23, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Year in Review: Bradenton Beach

Year in Review: Bradenton Beach

BRADENTON BEACH – The Pines Trailer Park and Bradenton Beach Marina sales and the approved hotel/restaurant/retail project on Bridge Street and Gulf Drive made the biggest headlines in the city in 20…
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December 22, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria: The Year in Review

Anna Maria: The Year in Review

ANNA MARIA – Vacation rental legislation, consolidation, the Gulf Island Ferry service, the Mote Marine outreach center, the Reimagining Pine Avenue planning process and the city’s 100th anniversary…
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December 22, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bright Holiday Lights winners announced

Bright Holiday Lights winners announced

ANNA MARIA – The city’s Bright Holiday Lights decorating contest produced a repeat winner and a first-time winner. For the second year in a row, Andrea and Jim Stepan won the residential category…
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December 19, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Spooner ethics complaint dismissed

Spooner ethics complaint dismissed

BRADENTON BEACH – An ethics complaint filed against Commissioner Jake Spooner has been dismissed. The complaint, filed with the Florida Commission on Ethics by Bradenton Beach resident Sue Longacre…
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December 19, 2023
By SUN contributor
Holmes Beach logo

OPPAGA study wraps first month

HOLMES BEACH – In her state of the city address, Mayor Judy Titsworth noted that it’s been one month since the state-mandated Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability (OPPAGA)…
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December 18, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

Anna Maria resident provides Christmas bikes

ANNA MARIA – During each Christmas season, Anna Maria resident Carl Augostini, 85, provides bikes for underprivileged children and adults in need. “This year, I did a total of 36 bikes – a new rec…
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April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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