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Community News

2024 hurricanes revisited; two piers remain closed
Anna Maria, Community News

2024 hurricanes revisited; two piers remain closed

Sep 23, 2025 – Joe Hendricks
September 17, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
No millage increase for Holmes Beach property owners

No millage increase for Holmes Beach property owners

HOLMES BEACH – The mayor and city commissioners are maintaining the current 1.99 millage rate rather than increasing it to the maximum 2.1812 millage rate tentatively adopted by a 3-2 vote in late Ju…
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September 17, 2025
By Leslie Lake
BB Attorney Performance

Commissioners to give Perry more time to respond to allegations

BRADENTON BEACH – City Attorney Ricinda Perry maintained at a Sept. 16 work meeting that she was not provided proper notice or adequate time to prepare a response to allegations that she had named Dr…
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September 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Bean Point property owners can swim in ‘no swim’ zone

Mayor vetoes Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone ordinance

Story updated 9/20/25 ANNA MARIA – On Sept. 15, Mayor Mark Short vetoed the Bean Point ‘no swim’ zone emergency ordinance unanimously adopted by city commissioners on Sept. 11 that would have allowe…
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September 16, 2025
By Leslie Lake
FDEP: Williams did not file complaint against AMOB

FDEP: Williams did not file complaint against AMOB

BRADENTON BEACH – After Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams was named by City Attorney Ricinda Perry as the source of a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) violation complaint against…
September 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Vacation rental stakeholders share common goals

Vacation rental stakeholders share common goals

HOLMES BEACH – Working together and supporting each other’s efforts were two main themes shared during the Vacation Rental Stakehold­ers meeting held at Holmes Beach city hall on Sept. 10. More than…
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September 16, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria parts ways with embattled building official

Anna Maria parts ways with embattled building official

ANNA MARIA – Craig Greene is no longer serving as Anna Maria’s contracted building official. Toward the end of the Sept. 11 Anna Maria City Commission meeting, Mayor Mark Short briefly addressed Gre…
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September 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Bradenton Beach responds to state legislators’ letter

Bradenton Beach responds to state legislators’ letter

BRADENTON BEACH – City commis­sioners discussed an Aug. 28 letter sent to the three Island mayors from State Rep. Will Robinson Jr. (R-Bradenton) and State Sen. Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton). The state leg…
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September 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Manatee County joining SB 180 legal challenge

Manatee County joining SB 180 legal challenge

MANATEE COUNTY – Manatee County is joining a soon to be filed lawsuit that will challenge the new state law created by the Florida Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis’s adoption and enactment of Senate…
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September 9, 2025
By Joe Hendricks
Holmes Beach officials discuss SB 180

Holmes Beach officials discuss SB 180

HOLMES BEACH – City officials are taking a wait and see approach to joining a yet to be filed lawsuit that will challenge a new state law that significantly re­stricts Florida cities and counties’ ab…
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September 9, 2025
By Leslie Lake
Drift-In owner denies city attorney’s claim about FDEP complaint

Drift-In owner denies city attorney’s claim about FDEP complaint

BRADENTON BEACH – Drift-In bar owner Derek Williams denied filing a complaint with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) about the Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s (AMOB) outdoor tiki stru…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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