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AME students back in school

Aug 15, 2023 – Jason Schaffer
August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Owner of illegal vacation rental bedrooms cited

Owner of illegal vacation rental bedroom cited

ANNA MARIA – City officials are concerned about ground-level storage spaces in vacation rental homes being illegally converted and used as additional bedrooms. Mayor Dan Murphy addressed these conce…
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August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Anna Maria rejects proposed water taxi modifications

Anna Maria rejects proposed water taxi modifications

ANNA MARIA –City officials rejected Manatee County’s proposed water taxi-related modifications to the City Pier, but negotiations remain ongoing. On Aug. 3, Mayor Dan Murphy presented the county’s p…
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August 8, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Insurance costs stall Monkey Buses

Insurance costs stall Monkey Buses

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Due to increased insurance costs, the popular Monkey Bus shuttle service on and around the Island has been suspended with the hope of resuming operations soon. Sally Dirbas and h…
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August 8, 2023
By Leslie Lake
Beach Market scheduled to open in October

Beach Market scheduled to open in October

COQUINA BEACH – Nearly a year after the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau took over the management of the Coquina Beach Market from the previous market director, a new manager and opening…
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July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

Displaced renters reflect on their Island years

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The Island’s evolution into a vacation rental destination and the resulting lack of affordable housing has displaced many former permanent residents who rented their homes. Alex B…
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July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
City staff addresses single room vacation rentals

Single-room rentals in vacation homes prohibited

BRADENTON BEACH – City staff recently answered an inquiry regarding single-room rentals in vacation rental homes with a definite “No.” On July 19, Prime Vacations Compliance Specialist Rina Hernande…
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July 31, 2023
By SUN contributor
Pool, yard rentals prohibited

Pool, yard rentals prohibited

HOLMES BEACH – A new website invites owners to place portions of their property for rent at an hourly rate, but city officials say that’s not an allowable use for residential properties in Anna Maria…
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July 31, 2023
By Joe Hendricks

Turner appointed to county commission

MANATEE COUNTY – Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Ray Turner to replace Vanessa Baugh on the Manatee County Commission. The governor’s appointment was to take effect Aug. 1. Turner takes over for emb…
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July 25, 2023
By SUN contributor

Fire department changing rules for vacation rentals

MANATEE COUNTY – Property owners located in West Manatee Fire Rescue’s district recently received some mail they likely weren’t expecting from the fire department. District leaders sent out a letter…
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July 25, 2023
By Joe Hendricks
Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins

Bradenton Beach CRA budget planning begins

BRADENTON BEACH – The Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) expects to receive $635,677 in ad valorem property tax revenues during the 2023-24 fiscal year. City Treasurer Shayne Thomp…
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Upcoming Events

April 9, 2025
11:45 am

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