Community News
July 17, 2023
City hopes to incentivize permanent residents
ANNA MARIA – City officials are exploring the possibility of using grants and other incentives to attract and retain full-time residents.
City Commissioner Charlie Salem first proposed the idea du…
July 17, 2023
Mayor seeks millage rate reduction
HOLMES BEACH – Mayor Judy Titsworth has tasked department heads to “sharpen their pencils” to reduce budget requests in order to try to lower the millage rate, giving a break to taxpayers.
During a…
July 11, 2023
Island population drops in all three cities
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – It may not come as a surprise to some long-time residents, but the population of this seven-mile stretch of paradise is dwindling.
While the U.S. Census Bureau conducts 10-year…
July 11, 2023
Marina appeals Hunters Point dock ruling
CORTEZ – The Cortez Village Marina ownership group is appealing a recent Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) governing board ruling that permits the construction of 49 residential do…
July 11, 2023
Pat Copeland’s life, legacy celebrated
ANNA MARIA – Pat Copeland’s celebration of life included family, friends, co-workers, tears, laughter, music, poetry and a New Orleans-style second-line march down Pine Avenue.
Pat passed away on…
July 11, 2023
Water main back in service
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The water main that broke on the Manatee Avenue Bridge on June 19 is back in service, Manatee County officials say.
As work ensued on the broken pipe, another pipe continued to…
July 10, 2023
New mural adorns Island Branch Library
HOLMES BEACH – Heads are turning as people drive past the Island Branch Library, 5701 Marina Drive, after the recent addition of a colorful mural that stretches the length of the west side of the lib…
July 10, 2023
Sundown town label struck down
HOLMES BEACH – According to a college website dedicated to social justice, Anna Maria Island’s largest city is open to all visitors, but only during the day.
The History and Social Justice website j…
July 3, 2023
AMI Moose Lodge wins another Premier Lodge Award
BRADENTON BEACH – The Anna Maria Island Moose Lodge #2188 has won a Premier Lodge Award for a second consecutive year.
The honor was bestowed upon the AMI lodge and several other qualifying lodges n…
July 3, 2023
Water taxi expected to launch soon
BRADENTON – An open house held on June 27 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) offered answers to many of the questions regarding the long-…











