Top Stories this week on Anna Maria Island: Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Relay celebrates life
Cancer survivors take the first lap May 19 at Relay For Life while a young man, with a young man wearing a Blake Medical Center T-shirt looks on. Blake and Miller Electric were two of the relay’s major sponsors. The event benefits the American Cancer Society. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell
This week on Anna Maria Island:
Tarpon Recapture Program
Watch and learn how to participate in the Tarpon Genetic Recapture Study. You’ll get a step-by-step look at how to take a tarpon DNA sample and submit it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Researchers from the …
Relay celebrates life
Robert Swearingen, of Bradenton, left, a sarcoma survivor, watches the opening ceremonies at Relay for Life at Coquina Beach May 19 with co-workers from the Crab Trap in Palmetto, including caregivers Zanna Sammartino of St. Petersburg and Ann Sommer and …
AMI Art League closes ‘until further notice’
By Kathy Prucnell, Islander Reporter
The Anna Maria Island Art League closed its doors May 15 without warning. Signs on the doors at the league’s gallery and facilities at 5312 Holmes Blvd. states, “Closed Until Further Notice.” Art League president Laura McGeary said May 18, …
WMFR hikes 2012 tax assessment
By Kathy Prucnell, Islander Reporter
At a public hearing May 17, West Manatee Fire District commissioners increased the district’s assessment roughly $4 per household. WMFR Chief Andy Price recommended the 2012 rate hike to meet rising operational costs and put away funds for expected increases …
March resort tax collections again break record
By Rick Catlin, Islander Reporter
For 12 consecutive months, resort tax collections by the Manatee County Tax Collector’s office have set a new monthly record when compared with the same month the previous year. March 2012 collections were no exception. Sue Sinquefield of the resort …
Webb running, Mattick may miss deadline, Yetter ‘serious’
By Rick Catlin, Islander Reporter
A vacationing commissioner may have no choice but to sit out the November election. Anna Maria’s qualifying period to run for either city commission or mayor starts May 29 and ends June 8. Three-term commissioner Jo Ann Mattick apparently does …
Manatee County trooper named officer of the year
Florida Highway Patrol Cpl. Darrel Carroll patrols the roads of Manatee County with devotion and fairness, according to fellow law enforcement officers. For his dedication to duty, Carroll was named the 2012 Officer of the Year May 17 by the …
Bicyclist goes the distance in cancer fundraiser
By Kathy Prucnell, Islander Reporter
Jasper Curry will soon be embarking on what may yet be the most challenging journey of his life. He’s trained hard and he’s no newcomer to competition. He’s raced sailboats since he was a fourth-grader at Anna Maria Elementary School …
Charges dropped following Leonard plea
Following a plea to several felonies, the state dropped charges against Charles H. Leonard last week in 15 of 20 or more burglary cases opened following a chase and search through Cortez in December by several law enforcement agencies. Notices …
WMFR selects contractor for Station 2 remodel
By Kathy Prucnell, Islander Reporter
West Manatee Fire District commissioners May 17 selected Ross Built Construction Co. of Holmes Beach and Manuel Synalovski Associates of Fort Lauderdale as the design-build team for a $900,000 remodel project at Station 2. With a unanimous vote among the …
Bradenton Beach P&Z gains two; loses fourth member
By Mark Young, Islander Reporter
A fourth member of the Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board has resigned on the heels of the May 17 city commission meeting. Longtime P&Z board member Jo Ann Meilner asked for apologies at the May 17 meeting for the …
OUCH!
A newly restored 1969 Aquasport flat back, owned by Alex Guitar, winds up wrecked on the shores of the Manatee Public Beach May 17. The boat was anchored south of Holmes Beach when last week’s storm rolled into the area, …
Longboat Key police chief killed in crash
Al Hogle, Longboat Key police chief, was killed May 14 in a motorcycle crash in North Carolina. According to Longboat Key Police Capt. Bill Tokajer, Hogle was riding with a group of friends in the mountains of North Carolina when …
Roadwatch, May 23-30
Marina Drive between 59th and 62nd streets in Holmes Beach has been closed the past week for stormwater improvements, but should reopen this week, according to Bob Shaffer of the building department. Traffic was diverted onto 59th, 60th and 62nd …
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