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Tag: Anna Maria Island

Weekend red tide forecast varies

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – The University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) predicts no red tide through Monday, Jan. 21 in Manatee County, but NOAA predicts respiratory irritation, according to today’s reports.

While the USF/FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides gives the all-clear to Manatee County, NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin today predicts moderate levels of respiratory irritation through Monday, Jan. 21 on Manatee County’s Gulf side and moderate to high levels of irritation on the bay side.

NOAA defines “moderate” levels as affecting the general public with mild symptoms, in addition to those sensitive to red tide and those with chronic respiratory conditions.

Concentrations of red tide are patchy, and respiratory irritation will vary based on bloom concentration, ocean currents and wind speed and direction, according to NOAA, which notes on its website that “Parts of the U.S. Government are closed. However, because the information this site provides is necessary to protect life and property, it will be updated and maintained during the Federal Government shutdown.”

Mote Marine Laboratory’s beach report today showed no respiratory irritation at Manatee Beach or Coquina Beach.

Red tide was not found in water samples at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria, the Longboat Pass boat ramp in Bradenton Beach or Palma Sola Bay on Jan. 14, according to today’s FWC report.

No fish kills were reported in Manatee County, but respiratory irritation was reported on Jan. 10-12, Jan. 14 and Jan. 16-17 at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach and Jan. 10, Jan. 12, and Jan. 14 at Manatee Beach in Holmes Beach, according to the FWC.

The bloom began in Southwest Florida in October 2017 and arrived in Anna Maria Island waters on Aug. 3; it has now surpassed the most recent record red tide of 2005-06.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, is a type of microalgae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to marine life, red tide also can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people.

Bradenton Beach sunshine lawsuit Sanclemente

Sunshine lawsuit depositions continue

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Former mayor Jack Clarke and current City Clerk Terri Sanclemente have been deposed in the city’s ongoing Sunshine Law lawsuit.

On Monday, Jan. 7, Clarke was the first person deposed by the attorneys representing two of the six defendants.

Clarke is a co-plaintiff with the city of Bradenton Beach in the civil lawsuit that seeks a circuit court judge’s determination as to whether six former city advisory board members violated the Florida Sunshine Law that requires elected commission members and appointed advisory board members to conduct their official city business in properly noticed public meetings.

Clarke’s deposition revealed a defense strategy being pursued by attorney Thomas Shults, who is representing former Planning and Zoning Board member John Metz.

Early in the seven-hour deposition, Shults asked Clarke if he’s familiar with the phrase “acting in bad faith.” Shults spent much of the day trying to establish that Clarke, City Attorney Ricinda Perry and the City Commission acted in bad faith when filing the lawsuit against Metz, Reed Mapes, Tjet Martin, Patty Shay, Bill Vincent and Rose Vincent in August 2017.

The allegations stem from the Concerned Neighbors of Bradenton Beach (CNOBB) meetings that took place that summer when all six defendants served as city board members while participating in CNOBB meetings that were not conducted at city hall.

Shults’s defense strategy is partially based on the contentious relationship Clarke and Metz have had in recent years. Shults questioned email exchanges that occurred between Clarke, as a private citizen, and The Sun reporter who first reported the alleged violations. Several of those emails pertained to letters to the editor Clarke penned regarding Metz’s actions.

These actions included lawsuits Metz filed against the city and the 2015 lawsuit Metz filed against Clarke personally in hopes of keeping him off the special election recall ballot that resulted in Mayor Bill Shearon being removed from office.

Shults noted that one of Clarke’s letters was critical of the legal fees Metz has subjected city taxpayers to and how that differs from the cost of the Sunshine lawsuit in which the city is now involved.

Clarke acknowledged that he has not yet been billed for any of the more than $116,000 in legal fees the city has accrued so far. He also said he’s aware that Metz could come after him for his legal fees if it’s proven the lawsuit was filed in bad faith.

When asked why he agreed to be a co-plaintiff, Clarke said, “They broke the law. It’s that simple.”

Sanclemente deposition

Shults spent much of Sanclemente’s Jan. 9 deposition discussing her responsibilities as the city’s official records keeper. He asked about her training and certification and the duties placed on her staff.

He questioned the role Sanclemente played in preparing the signed affidavit and exhibits attorney Robert Watrous filed in support of the city’s lawsuit.

Shults noted one of those exhibits was the oath of office Metz took when he joined the Planning Board in 2014. Shults questioned why that document was not stamped as being notarized. Sanclemente said that occurred before her time and that would have been the responsibility of then-deputy clerks Tammy Johnson or Audra Lanzaro.

Shults asked if the city’s Land Development Code (LDC) is posted on the city website. Sanclemente said it is, but the city’s website currently is shut down while being upgraded. Shults asked if the LDC is posted at the city’s Municode page. When Sanclemente said it was, Shults produced a screenshot that indicated otherwise.

Perry and City Planner Alan Garrett are scheduled to be deposed next. The case is scheduled for a March trial.

Related coverage

Trial date set for Sunshine lawsuit

Commissioner deposed regarding Sunshine lawsuit

Sunshine lawsuit depositions continue

Beach Smoking ban

Gruters proposes statewide beach smoking ban

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

SARASOTA – If Florida Senator Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) has his way, Anna Maria Island’s beaches and those throughout Florida would become no-smoking zones.

Filed on Jan. 2, Gruters’ Senate Bill 218 seeks to prohibit tobacco use on public beaches and issue citations and $25 fines to first-time violators.

Gruters’ proposed legislation seeks to create a new state law that says: “Smoking prohibited on public beaches… It is unlawful for any person to smoke tobacco on a public beach.”

The legislation does not specifically address vaping.

Gruters was among those who attended Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press conference in Sarasota last week. When asked afterward about his proposed beach smoking legislation, Gruters said he thinks it’s “disgusting” to see someone throw a cigarette butt on the beach or to stick your hand in the sand and come up with a cigarette butt.

“This is basically the result of me having discussions with constituents. People kept telling me they didn’t like sitting next to people who smoked. People have the right to smoke and hopefully, we can provide them designated smoking areas on the sidewalks.

“But the bottom line is we need to make sure we protect peoples’ rights to have quiet enjoyment of the natural resource, which is the beaches, and protect our residents and tourists so they can come enjoy them without having to experience secondhand smoke,” Gruters said.

In 2013, Sarasota County’s beach-smoking ban was deemed unconstitutional after being enacted by the Sarasota County Commission in 2007. State law, however, grants the state Legislature the sole authority to ban smoking at public beaches statewide.

Vacation rental regulation

The Sun also asked Gruters if he anticipates the state Legislature repeating its past unsuccessful efforts to repeal or further restrict local governments’ ability to regulate vacation rentals.

“My predecessor had those bills the last two years, and I don’t know if there’s as much energy towards pushing that forward now that he’s gone. Only time will tell,” Gruters said.

Gruters now holds the senate seat vacated by former Florida Sen. Greg Steube. Steube and State Rep. Mike LaRosa led those past legislative efforts, but Steube is now a U.S. Congressman.

Florida’s 2019 legislative session will begin March 5 and continue for at least 60 days.

Island players I Hate Hamlet cast

You’ll love ‘I hate Hamlet’

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Entertainment, Theater.

ANNA MARIA – Every once in a while an actor finds that perfect role, or is it the role that finds that perfect actor? That’s what happens in “I Hate Hamlet” by Paul Rudnick, now playing at the Island Players, when James Thaggard plays the ghost of John Barrymore.

His over-the-top performance was wonderful and it was contagious as the rest of the cast was brilliant to match Thaggard’s energy.

The special effects were perfect, especially as Barrymore’s ghost exposed his presence to most of the characters, but not all.

Brian Dewey was great as Andrew Rally, a Los Angeles actor who moves to New York on the advice of his agent, Lillian Troy, played brilliantly by Caroline Cox, after his television show is canceled.

He feels down on his luck as his girlfriend, Dierdre McDavey, played sweetly by Katherine Dye, won’t have sex with him until she knows he’s the one she wants to spend the rest of her life with. But he is unsure of his future because he has accepted the role of Hamlet, and he’s not too fond of Shakespeare.

His real estate agent, Felicia Dantine, played by Caroline Zaput, finds him an apartment that was once owned by John Barrymore, who was known for his great portrayal of Hamlet.

Dantine is also a medium, and they try to communicate with him, but when it seemingly fails, everyone goes their own way, but Barrymore finally appears to Rally.

The final character is Gary Peter Lefkowitz, played perfectly by Brian Dewey. He’s a laid back L.A.-style actor who comes to New York with a lucrative offer for Rally, a television show back on the West Coast.

Barrymore, however, wants Rally to do Hamlet, and with flare, he tries to convince him to do real acting, not inane television shows.

The play is delightful with few lulls in the action, and as for Thaggart’s performance, we think Barrymore would be very impressed.

For tickets or information, call 941-778-5755.

Center sports ACE Hardware

Teens hit the gridiron: ACE Hardware takes the easy win

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Football, Sports.

For more than 10 years, nearly half of the 27 boys in the 14- to 17-year-old flag football league have been friends on and off the flag football field at the Island’s community center. Now some of those same players who first took to the field when they were four years old are driving themselves to the games.

New and newer players to the league were welcomed by lifelong friends to play one of the most popular sports on the Island. ACE Hardware’s Bryce Gunter and Tyler Richards and Aaryn Scalone for Blue Lagoon secured their spots in The Center sports records in the first week of play after two weeks of rain postponements.

Thursday night the boys started another season at The Center of Anna Maria Island. With many of the supportive parents still in the bleachers rooting for and cheering on players on both sides of the field, ACE Hardware coach Chuck McCracken watched his team play a fun game of flag football against Blue Lagoon, coached by Randy Langley.

Despite the final score of 40-12, both teams playing in the recreational league laughed and relaxed during the two halves of play, enjoying a little time away from the pressures of high school and life as a teenager.

Free of video games and cell phones and friends since preschool, Tyler Brewer and Tuna McCracken took the field for ACE Hardware. During the first set of downs, Blue Lagoon’s possession of the ball was cut short by an interception by McCracken.

The ACE Hardware interception was run back for a touchdown, giving the team a quick six-point lead.

Blue Lagoon took back the football after the failed point after by ACE. The team, led by Rutger Langley, went three and out with a near interception. He is joined on the team by his younger brother Roman Langley. The Langleys attended Anna Maria Elementary School with many of the other boys in the league.

ACE Hardware’s Connor Ludwig, who joined the Island bunch in middle school, scored the next touchdown on a bomb by Brewer. Ludwig’s consistent receptions have been his trademark in the league for years.

Once again unable to convert, Blue Lagoon’s QB in the series felt the pressure of Brewer’s cousin Travis Bates. Bates forced Chris Snyder, who joined the league in elementary school, to scramble out of the pocket while waiting on an open receiver.

Three snaps of the ball are all it took for ACE Hardware to be on the march once again.

Blue Lagoon held its own preventing the ACE first down. Rutger Langley, as the quarterback, hit league veteran Jeremiah Sculco for the Blue Lagoon touchdown.

Also missing the extra point, Blue Lagoon left the score at 12-6.

Ludwig’s next great catch, with two minutes on the scoreboard clock, was followed by a short touchdown pass to Brewer. A sliding reception by Ludwig in the end zone took the score to 19-6.

Coming back on the field after halftime, Blue Lagoon took the ball on offense only to be intercepted by ACE Hardware’s David Daigle. Daigle, who met McCracken and Brewer in kindergarten at Anna Maria Elementary School, ran the ball into the end zone after the interception with Snyder diving unsuccessfully for the flag pull.

The score stayed at 25-6 as the result of another failed point after.

A faulty Blue Lagoon snap and a pass beyond the line of scrimmage led to the loss of the ball. The offensive possessions changed several times before ACE Hardware once again scored.

Daigle’s next catch of the game gained critical yards for his team. On the next snap, McCracken hit Morgan Horesh, who met his teammates in the third grade. Horesh ran the football the remaining length of the field for another ACE Hardware touchdown and the extra point.

Instituting the no rush mercy rule on ACE Hardware for having more than a 21-point lead, with the score 32-6, Snyder made a beautiful run on the first snap in the possession for a touchdown, slipping through the hands of all of the ACE Hardware defenders.

The missed point after left the score 32-12.

Showing his ups, Ludwig snagged the high pass by McCracken, turning after the catch to run for another six points. The extra point conversion increased the deficit to 28 points.

The final play of the game gave Snyder the ball with defenders purposefully at a standstill paving the way to end zone with the same love of playing on the community center’s field they did a decade ago.

Related coverage

2019 action-packed Island sports fun

Sato Real Estate to defend title

Sato Real Estate on top again

Castles in the Sand

Is a piece better than the whole pie?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Archives.

A very long time ago in the history of writing this column, I discovered fractional ownership as a new and interesting real estate topic. I quickly dropped the subject when I realized it wasn’t something that had caught on in great numbers across the vacation real estate industry. Well, recently there was an extensive piece in The Wall Street Journal about fractional ownership which sparked my interest again, so I took another look.

As all of us who live in Florida, and certainly on Anna Maria Island, know, second homes are the ultimate discretionary purchase. Many people would like to have one but no one really needs one. Therefore, it would appear that fractional ownership arrangements would be the perfect fit for potential second homeowners. But are they and how do they compare to timeshares?

Timeshares and fractional ownerships are very similar in that they can be sold, gifted or inherited, and require annual maintenance fees. Fractional owners receive a real property deed whereas timeshare owners receive a type of deed but specifically for an assigned period of time, usually one or two weeks. In addition, fractional properties are usually organized into residence clubs, which appeal to more upscale buyers with higher prices, nicer amenities and fewer owners than timeshares, making the concept as well as the properties more exclusive. But be careful. The more fractions that are sold, the more they resemble timeshares.

Also, proponents of fractional properties point out that a purchase of a fractional property can be arranged for much longer periods of time, creating more of a second home concept instead of just a vacation getaway. In addition, the case can be made that fractional ownership provides equity benefits with more of the possibility of making a profit when it’s sold, but like all real estate, there are no guarantees. Although timeshares can appreciate in value, depending on the property and location, typically they do not. Of course, conventional financing for both fractional ownerships and timeshares is near to impossible.  Purchases are generally made with cash.

So, who are the buyers of fractional ownership? They are generally people who can afford a vacation home but don’t have the time to use it on an annual basis and just want a winter or summer getaway. Or, as the Wall Street Journal piece pointed out, they may be people who want to spend months hopping from one fractional to another around the globe.

Although there are fractional ownership properties in Florida, I couldn’t find any on Anna Maria Island. Two of the big players in fractional ownership clubs are Timbers Resorts and Elite Destinations. There is also the Luxury Fractional Guide online to check out if anyone is interested in further research, and you should do your research. Since fractional ownership clubs make their money on selling the properties and reselling the properties, it’s important to verify that their maintenance program is well funded and well managed.

The fractional ownership concept makes me a little uneasy, but for owners who want a property in an area with escalating property values, it may be the only way to spend time there for more than just a quick visit. While I was doing my research, I found that Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, had several fractional ownership clubs. It just so happens that I’m headed there at the end of the month. What are the chances of me coming back with a new deeded property? I don’t think so; I want all of the pie.

More Castles in the Sand:

2019 real estate trends

Red tide, hurricanes and interest rates

No Christmas gifts for foreign buyers

Holmes Beach tree house file photo

Tree house case continues in court

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

BRADENTON – It was a win and a loss for both sides during a Jan. 8 hearing in Judge Edward Nicholas’ courtroom on the tree house case.

New to the case, Nicholas dismissed the City of Holmes Beach’s motion to default, an attempt to push the case to a trial, and the tree house owners’ motion to abate, saying the move wasn’t warranted at this time. Both sides of the years-long case will have the opportunity to have their motions reheard, including a declaratory judgment request filed by attorney David Levin on behalf of owners Lynn Tran and Richard Hazen in 2013, and not pursued by either side until now.

During the Jan. 8 court proceedings, Levin argued that the declaratory judgment needs to be ruled on before the case can go to trial. On behalf of the city, attorney Jim Dye argued that the case has gone on long enough, since a code enforcement hearing in 2013, and the city wants to “go to trial and get a resolution as quickly as possible.” He also said that with different hearings and rulings happening in the case since the submittal of the request for declaratory judgment, the complaint is obsolete and would need to be redone to take into account all of the facts of the case in the previous five years.

The March 5, 90-minute conference will allow the court to consider the nature of discovery, if any, needed for a trial, determine if the declaratory judgment needs to be resolved before going to trial and allow both sides to tell their stories to the new judge on the case. If the case goes to trial, it will be to receive a ruling on the city’s request for injunctive relief and motion for default. These would either require Tran and Hazen to pay more than $65,000 in code enforcement fees and remove the tree house themselves or allow the city to forcibly remove the structure.

Holmes Beach tree house judy
Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth listens to councils’ arguments during a hearing for the tree house case. – Kristin Swain | Sun

The tree house has been the subject of much debate in the city since it was built in the last half of 2011. The two-story structure is built partially in an Australian pine and supported by telephone poles designed to look like trees.

Tran and Hazen argue that they went to city hall before building the tree house to ask if they needed a permit and were told ‘no’ by a building department staffer. City leaders have previously argued that a permit was needed, that the tree house is potentially hazardous to neighbors in a storm, and that the tree house was built partially over the erosion control line on public land. The owners maintain that the structure is entirely on their property and within required setbacks from the erosion control line.

While the owners applied for after-the-fact building permits from the city, Building Official Jim McGuinness found that the supports for the tree house were not deep enough in the sand, the structure could not be made ADA compliant, and to bring it up to code would require tearing it down and rebuilding it, which could happen only if the owners could get a permit from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

The tree house case is back in court on Tuesday, March 5 at 9 a.m.

Related coverage

Treehouse case goes back to court

City to pursue tree house demolition in court

Supreme Court denies tree house owners’ plea

Bradenton Beach Bridge Street remodel

Does Bridge Street need a redesign?

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – Should Bridge Street be turned into a one-way street, be closed completely to vehicular traffic or remain as it is?

That’s a question the Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the city commission want public input on before making any decisions. A public work meeting on the issue is scheduled at city hall on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 6 p.m.

At the request of CRA member and Mayor John Chappie, this preliminary discussion occurred at the Wednesday, Jan. 9 CRA meeting.

“There’s been a lot of talk over the last several years: What do you want to do on Bridge Street? Do you want one-way traffic? Do you want two-way traffic? Do you want parking? Do you not want parking? We need to have some discussion here and in the community. We need to make some decisions,” Chappie said.

CRA chair and City Commissioner Ralph Cole said he’s willing to listen to the pros and cons of all options. CRA member and City Commissioner Jake Spooner said he’s visited other cities where the main street was closed and replaced by stages, splash parks and other public features. He noted those cities also have solid transportation options and adequate parking.

“It might be a little premature closing that street down without having that type of infrastructure already in place. But I think it would be a great thing to work towards,” he said.

Cole invited BridgeWalk resort owner Angela Rodocker to last week’s meeting and offered to contact every other Bridge Street business owner about the upcoming work meeting.

Emily Anne Smith, the CRA’s contracted architectural designer, is charged with creating a CRA district vision plan. She said there are many good options for Bridge Street, but access must be maintained for the mid-block post office.

The options could include a meandering, one-way traffic lane with trees and small park areas to the side. Or the street could be left as is, even though Smith doesn’t think it’s truly functioning as a two-way street.

She also suggested two-car electric trams to transport people from the free public parking south of Bridge Street at Cortez Beach and she supports giving all Bradenton Beach property owners their say at the work meeting.

Public input

Rodocker agrees that public input is critical. She thinks Bridge Street is a great location that could be transformed into a “true destination” – one that would be more pedestrian-friendly if reduced to one lane or no lanes.

“I’ve always envisioned Bridge Street being something different than it is today and I think a lot of people have as well. What we have now, it’s just not right. We’re functioning, but it’s not what it can be and should be,” she said.

She also cautioned against rushing the process due to self-imposed timeframes.

Bradenton Beach Marina president Mike Bazzy agrees with Rodocker and suggested the other Bridge Street business owners would too.

The marina is within walking distance of Bridge Street, but Bazzy said when he drives from the marina to the post office the street is often partially blocked by delivery trucks that he must swerve around, which he feels endangers pedestrians.

“Having two lanes there is probably not the best use,” he said.

CRA member and Anna Maria Oyster Bar president John Horne asked whether Smith needs to create storyboards to illustrate the possible options. Smith said that’s not needed yet, but she’ll provide simple illustrations at the work meeting – either printed on paper or created on a chalkboard in real time.

Chappie stressed the need for discussion, decision making and moving forward with the CRA vision plan: “The money’s there. With the incremental tax dollars we collect, we have an obligation to use those dollars.”

Chappie said no decisions will be made at the work meeting.

Later in the week, Chappie said he’s heard some initial resistance to any plan that increases traffic for residents on and around Bay Drive South.

Mobility program dropped in favor of ban

Bicycle share on hold in Holmes Beach

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Commissioners will discuss whether alternate mobility share services should be allowed in the city and how they would be regulated at a work session later this month.

With a moratorium in effect blocking alternate transportation share services, including docked and dockless bicycles and electric scooters, commissioners have time to work on how they want to regulate these businesses, if they want them in the city at all, and if they want to allow docking stations on public property.

A share service operates differently than a rental agency. While rentals are done for a day, a week or more, a share service can be done through a smartphone application for only a few minutes to get the user from point A to point B.

Commissioner Carol Soustek said that while she doesn’t have a problem with docked bicycle share services, such as the one proposed by Mobile Muttley’s owners Tracy Thrall and Tom Pechous, she doesn’t want the electric scooters and undocked bicycle share services to come to Holmes Beach.

“We have limited road access,” she said. “We have to be careful what we put on them.”

She also said that if some sort of share service did come to the community, she wants to make sure that the equipment is controlled and maintained by the owners and that it doesn’t add clutter to already busy streets and sidewalks.

Standing in for City Attorney Patricia Petruff was attorney Thomas Thanus, who told commissioners that Florida law prohibits the use of electric scooters on roadways and bicycle lanes but allows them on sidewalks, which might merit further conversation about regulations for that mode of transportation. Soustek and Commissioner Pat Morton both agreed that neither wants electric scooters allowed on sidewalks.

Morton expressed concern that allowing a share service might hurt the mom and pop bicycle rental stores on the Island. He also said he’s worried about the number of bicycles that share services would want to bring to Holmes Beach. While he said he’s not a fan of either type of service, he’d rather see a docked bicycle share service instead of a dockless one.

Commissioner Kim Rash said he doesn’t believe in allowing anyone to use the public right of way for a for-profit business. He also said that he’s not in favor of allowing a mobility share service at all in the city and that none of the residents he spoke with were in favor either.

Commissioner Jim Kihm gave his fellow commissioners several alternatives to an outright ban on the services including limiting the number of bicycles allowed for the service in Holmes Beach, designating areas near trolley stops for mobility share services, requiring regular inspections of bicycles used by share services, giving companies a probationary period and requiring removal of all equipment if faced with an oncoming tropical storm.

“I don’t want to close the door on this,” Morton said. “The public should have their say.”

“I think it needs more discussion,” Kihm said.

Related coverage

Bike share regulations on hold

Locals present bike share option to city commissioners

Red tide sign

Weekend red tide forecast low on Island

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Archives.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Low levels of red tide are forecast through Monday, Jan. 14, according to today’s report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).

Low concentrations appeared in water samples at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria and the Longboat Pass boat ramp in Bradenton Beach on Jan. 7. Very low concentrations were recorded at Palma Sola Bay the same day.

No fish kills were reported in Manatee County this week, but respiratory irritation was reported on Jan. 3, Jan. 5-7 and Jan. 9-10 at Coquina Beach and Jan. 3, Jan. 5, Jan. 7 and Jan. 9-10 at Manatee Beach, according to the FWC.

The rest of the state was clear of red tide through Jan. 10 with two exceptions – Collier County had high levels and low levels were recorded in the Florida Keys.

Medium and high levels are predicted on barrier islands off Sarasota County this weekend, according to the University of South Florida/Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides.

The start of the New Year brought a resurgence of the red tide bloom, which had dwindled the last week of 2018 to one background concentration in Palma Sola Bay – the only evidence in the state of the toxic algae.

The bloom began in Southwest Florida in October 2017 and arrived in Anna Maria Island waters on Aug. 3; it has now surpassed the most recent record red tide of 2005-06.

Florida red tide, or Karenia brevis, is a type of microalgae that emits a neurotoxin when it blooms. Deadly to marine life, red tide also can make shellfish unfit to eat and can cause respiratory irritation in people.

Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Very low levels cause possible respiratory irritation. Low levels cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels cause all the above, plus water discoloration.

Helicopter crashes into Gulf off AMI

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Anna Maria Island, Community News, Featured.

Updated Jan. 11, 2019 – ANNA MARIA – A helicopter crashed into the Gulf of Mexico about two miles off Anna Maria Island on Wednesday, Jan. 2, sending two men to the hospital, according to Manatee County emergency officials.

Stan Lee

The helicopter was shooting video of a boat about 10-15 feet above the water a half-mile west of the Sandbar restaurant when the crash occurred around 11 a.m., said Steve Litschauer, acting chief of Manatee County Emergency Management.

Sarasota Police Department | Submitted

Two men were transported to Blake Medical Center; the pilot, Stanley Lee, in his 60s, with trauma, and Thomas MacKnight, 58, with back injuries, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO). The third occupant, photographer Peter Boden, refused treatment.

Lee was released from the hospital on Jan. 10. MacKnight was not hospitalized.

Emergency workers met the victims at the South Coquina boat ramp for transport to the hospital, said Robert Smith, Manatee County’s public safety director. The boat that was the subject of the video transported them from the crash site to the ramp.

The Robinson R44 helicopter was recovered on Friday, Jan. 4 and transported to the Coquina Beach boat ramp. - Collin Schmidt | Submitted

The Robinson R44 helicopter was recovered on Friday, Jan. 4 and transported to the Coquina Beach boat ramp. - Collin Schmidt | Submitted

The Robinson R44 helicopter was recovered on Friday, Jan. 4 and transported to the Coquina Beach boat ramp. - Collin Schmidt | Submitted

The Robinson R44 helicopter was recovered on Friday, Jan. 4 and transported to the Coquina Beach boat ramp. - Collin Schmidt | Submitted

The owner of the Robinson R44 single-rotor helicopter is Sarasota Helicopter Services LLC, according to MCSO. Lee is listed as manager of the company, according to the Florida Division of Corporations.

The crew was working for North Carolina-based Fountain Powerboats, according to MacKnight’s Facebook page.

Tom MacKnight

This evening, MacKnight posted on his Facebook page: “Hi Everyone. I want to just let you know that I am out of the hospital and back home. Wish I could say that for my pilot, Stan, who is in critical condition. Please say a prayer for him. We went down hard in the gulf around 11 am while shooting for Fountain Powerboats. I am pretty banged up like I just played a quarter with a pro football team but I am blessed to be here. Guess I am not done here on earth. I lost my camera, wallet, phone, keys but feel like I won the lottery of life today. I appreciate the messages and concern and will try to respond. But now, I am going to chill out. I kind of had a bad day. Again, please pray for Stan and thank you for well wishes and concern. More tomorrow.”

Pete Boden posted: “Just a quick update, I am a bit bruised, but fine! The inflatable Vest worked great, that’s why I wear them. Today God didn’t need us, and for that I am truly thankful. Thank you for all the kind thoughts and prayers!”

A GoFundMe account has been set up for Boden, who lost his camera equipment in the crash. Another GoFundMe account has been set up for Lee and MacKnight.

Pete Boden
Center of Anna Maria Island

2019 action-packed Island sports fun

Written by Monica Simpson on . Posted in Sports.

The last night of fall 2018 was supposed to be the backdrop to the adult co-ed soccer championship game at The Center, but Mother Nature had other plans for the evening.  With a day of rain accumulated on the Island field, Sato Real Estate and Lancaster Design would have to wait to see who could claim the cup.

January brought youth flag football action into the winter season as the first two weeks of games were delayed due to the heavy rains that closed out December. Two of the three competitive recreational age group leagues took the field last week

After the ringing in of the new year, the eight- to 10-year-olds gave the fans strong head-to-head action. Progressive Cabinetry, coached by Troy Kosteinik, finished its first game with a tied score against Tim Holly’s Slim’s Place.

Finishing the week with another tied ball game, Planet Stone, inspired by Ray Gardner, faced Ugly Grouper, coached by Jaret Rojas. In a blow out match-up, Joe Peery’s Bins Be Clean could not find the end zone against Beach Bums, coached by Gary Harlan.

The season is young, and any of the six teams in the youngest age group could be on top after the seven regular games are played.

Four of the five teams in the 11-to 13-year old flag football league, Beach House Real Estate and Island Charms came out victorious. Grooms Automotive, coached by Tom Baugher, put up 12 points against Corey Jacques’ Beach House Real Estate, which scored 33 points in the game.

In a close one, Coach Rob Alderson’s team stayed competitive with 13 points in the game, while Coach Jim Collins helped his team to its first win of the season, scoring 19 points.

The big kids are preparing to take the gridiron with co-ed adult flag football evaluations and draft on Thursday and the action to start shortly thereafter on Thursday nights.

The Center is looking to bring excitement back to the hard court of the gym with adult co-ed volleyball. The bring your own team league will start play on Tuesday, Jan. 29, with registration ending on Saturday, Jan. 19. The Tuesday night play gives adults an indoor sports alternative for the season.

Youth wrestling is underway in the Island gym and will continue until March, taking the team on the road for tournaments to test its skills on the mat.

To round out the school year, youth basketball will take to the court in March, with youth soccer and T-ball games in April.

The sounds of fans clapping and team spirit will continue to fill the air at the Island’s community center, making 2019 another year of athletic celebrations.

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Reel Time: The miracle of Matlacha

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Fishing, Outdoors, Reel Time.

Matlacha is a piece of Old Florida that has been spared, in large part, because it isn’t situated on the Gulf of Mexico. That may be important to a lot of snowbirds, but to anglers, it’s situated in one of the most productive estuaries in Florida. Still, weather can play a critical part in an angler’s success, and that was the case as a warm Indian summer had dissolved into a sudden cold front. Fortunately, Captain Joe Harley had encountered these conditions before and only had to access his memory bank from years past to come up with a plan.

After a long search, Harley spotted a large concentration of mullet on a flat near Deer Stop Key. He looks for the mullet because he knows that redfish usually accompany them. Rick Hess, who’s fly had for the most part gone unmolested during our morning search for fish, was the first to notice the swirl and nervous water that often indicate the presence of redfish. Making a cast to the area, he hooked a red that quickly took him into his backing. Hess was fishing a gold spoon fly, an attractor pattern Harley prefers for reds when he’s not sight fishing. After a short but intense fight, we were able to lead the red to the boat for a picture and quick release.

Harley’s favorite patterns when sight fishing include deer hair streamers, clousers and seaducers. Waters in the fall, winter and spring are generally clear enough to sight cast to reds, although that wasn’t the case that first day. At times, schools of mullet and redfish can cloud up the water in the areas where the redfish are prowling for crabs and small fish. Under these conditions, sight fishing can be tough. This is the time to blind cast into the murky water or cast to disturbances or nervous water.

When the first intense cold fronts hit southwest Florida the high winds and temperature drops will shut down the tarpon fishing on the open flats.  Most of the baby tarpon that leave the flats and retire to their winter haunts can be found in deep man-made canals. Fortunately, many of the wintering spots are protected bays and backcountry lakes with muddy bottoms that hold fish through the winter. The large resident tarpon retreat to either the rivers or just deeper waters. Fronts or fall and winter warm spells can provide sight fishing for large laid up tarpon.

Over the two days, we fished conditions that went from extremely challenging to passable and with the years of experience at his disposal, Harley put us on tarpon, redfish and a big snook. These were a couple of days I might have passed on had they not been planned months in advance. As it turned out, Harley transformed lemons into lemonade.

Harley’s skiff was built by a Pine Island native boat builder and lifelong friend. His boat is extremely wide, stable and has a very shallow draft. The design allows Harley to run and fish in waters from Matlacha Pass (including Pine Island, Useppa and Charlotte Harbor) to Boca Grande. Harley can be reached at 239-443-7412.

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Studio at Gulf and Pine

Jane Seymour artwork at The Studio

Written by Tom Vaught on . Posted in Art, Entertainment.

The Studio at Gulf and Pine, 10101 Gulf Drive in Anna Maria, will host Up Close and Personal: The Art of Jane Seymour on Tuesday, Jan. 15, with nearly 50 original watercolors, oils, open heart bronze sculptures and limited-edition giclee prints on display and available for acquisition through Feb. 9.

Jane Seymour
Jane Seymour

The Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress, artist, author, designer and philanthropist will unveil the art exhibit and attend events throughout Bradenton area this month.

The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau (BACVB) and Realize Bradenton invited Seymour to help unveil a new piece of public art on the Bradenton Riverwalk at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 18, directly across from Veteran’s Monument Park.

Additionally, Seymour will appear at the Manatee Performing Arts Center at 502 3rd Ave. W., Bradenton on Saturday, Jan. 19, at noon, when she talks about her artwork. This intimate event will conclude with a short Q & A, followed by a book signing, and rare photo opportunity with the artist.

Tickets for this highly sought-after event are available for purchase through the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

Seymour is best known for her performances in the James Bond film “Live and Let Die,” “Somewhere in Time,” as well as the television series “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” Her work has earned her an Emmy, two Golden Globes and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In addition to being a celebrated actress, Seymour is also a lauded author and painter and designed the widely successful line of jewelry – Open Hearts by Jane Seymour. Crediting her mother’s advice and personal philosophy as her inspiration behind the line, the Open Heart design has become a universally-recognized symbol of giving and receiving love.

Bradenton Beach paving delays

Force main delays impacting Gulf Drive traffic

Written by Joe Hendricks on . Posted in Bradenton Beach, Community News.

BRADENTON BEACH – The paving and reopening of the northbound Gulf Drive travel lane near the intersection with Cortez Road has been delayed due to complications with Manatee County’s force main replacement project.

The water main valves Westra Construction recently installed along Gulf Drive and along Avenue C must be replaced with valves that contain backflow preventers. The replacement of the Gulf Drive valves is required before that section of Gulf Drive can be repaved and reopened.

A portion of the northbound lane between Cortez Road and 12th Street North has been barricaded for several months. As a result, the southbound left turn lane onto Cortez Road is currently serving as the northbound travel lane. This is creating traffic delays and safety concerns.

The force main valves Westra installed along Avenue C as part of the county’s force main project must also be replaced.

In October, Bradenton Beach commissioners authorized a $302,626 contract with Westra to accelerate a separate, city-funded Avenue C drainage improvement project that also includes the restoration of rights of way and driveways disturbed by the county project.

The city project was originally planned to be done by Woodruff & Sons later this year. Westra is now doing both projects at once in order to end the year-long disruptions Avenue C property owners have been subjected to.

On Wednesday, Jan. 3, The Sun contacted Tina Allen, the county’s contracted community outreach specialist. Allen said the repaving of the Gulf Drive travel lane is supposed to begin at some point in January.

Regarding Avenue C, Allen said, “I have been advised that some of the valves for Avenue C did not meet specifications and had to be sent back for replacements. The crew will be replacing the faulty valves and plan to begin restoration of the rights-of-way along Avenue C next week. Provided there are not unforeseen issues, they plan to have that restoration completed by the end of February. The paving of Avenue C will occur once the right-of-way areas are finished.”

Commission concerns

During the Thursday, Jan. 3 City Commission meeting, Commissioner Jake Spooner asked when the Gulf Drive turn lane would be restored.

Mayor John Chappie and Public Works Director Tom Woodard then shared the new information they received.

“I just got a report today. Apparently, they’re going to have to open that ditch line up again. The wrong valves were put on, so it’s going to be another three or four weeks,” Chappie said.

“Westra is claiming the county did not specify back-flows to be part of the valve. Manatee County is saying back-flows are standard spec for those valves, so they’re fighting between the two of them to see who’s going to pay. The valves that were installed are not correct,” Woodard said.

Woodard said the valves are site-specific and located the rights of way at each intersection. Their replacement doesn’t require the entire section of road to be dug up. Woodard was told the Gulf Drive valves extend from Cortez Road to 26th Street North, and the new valves were expected to arrive in about a week.

“I’d give it two weeks. You know how things go,” he said.

Woodard said it was suggested that Westra replace the valves near the Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection first.

“If they do that first, then they put the lanes back and the striping back and that would help immensely,” he said.

Commissioner Ralph Cole said the absence of the southbound left turn lane is confusing motorists as they approach the altered intersection from different directions.

“That’s why the police department is very concerned,” Chappie added.

“It’s backing up all the way past the S-turn, almost to Circle K,” Cole said of the congestion created by the missing southbound turn lane.

“It starts affecting businesses around here, and I’ll make sure the county knows about it. That’s not right,” Chappie said.

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