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Stories this week on Anna Maria Island: Wednesday, Aug. 18, 2010
Emergency medical and marine rescue workers, firefighters and police officers flood the beach to aid victims of a drowning Aug. 12 in Anna Maria, where a strong current claimed two lives and sent two people to the hospital. Islander Photo: Courtesy Victoria Dunn
A brother and sister drowned and two other family members were injured Aug. 12 when a rip current pulled the four under the Gulf of Mexico waters in Anna Maria.
Gerardo Hernandez, no age provided, and Josefina Pardo, 71, were pronounced dead at Blake Medical Center, according to a Manatee County Sheriff’s Office report. They were visiting from Lutz and the Tampa area.
Pardo’s husband, Braulio Pardo Sr., 78, and their 54-year-old son Al Pardo were in stable condition at Blake Medical Center Aug. 12, and were later released in good condition.
The list of lawsuits and legal actions involving Anna Maria has grown.
Pine Avenue Restoration LLC filed a lawsuit Aug. 9 against the city for the commission’s 3-2 vote July 22 to deny its site plan for 210 Pine Ave. The company already has a lawsuit against the city for its May 27 denial of a site plan for 308 Pine Ave.
Attorney Valerie Fernandez, representing PAR, filed the latest action in Manatee County Circuit Court.
Island voters will head to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 24, to mark ballots for school board candidates in three races, as well as nominate candidates in state and federal races.
Island artists are ready to rumble in the area’s second Art Brawl, a live art competition organized by a Bradenton Beach couple, Amanda Landesberg and Zach Gilliland.
The event, dubbed the “Beer Garden Throw Down,” will take place in the garden of Sarasota’s Cock and Bull Pub, 975 Cattleman Road, Saturday, Aug. 21.
Major stormwater improvements are planned for north Bradenton Beach this fall with funding, in part, to come from a Southwest Florida Water Management District grant.
“We have a multi-year agreement with Bradenton Beach for the project,” said Robyn Felix of Swiftmud. “In fiscal year 2010, we provided $100,000 in matching funds and the city is currently in design and permitting for phases one and two of the project.”
Anna Maria Elementary School will open its doors for the first day of the 2010-11 school year Aug. 23. Meanwhile, parents and students have a chance to preview the school year Aug. 19 at Back-to-School Night.
Carlos Gomez looked at a wall of rain closing in on his 20-foot Sea Hunt some 12 miles offshore of Anna Maria Island Aug. 8. The wind had just switched directions.
One angler became sea sick in the boat and rocking seas.
Live video from the Beach Bistro cam in Holmes Beach.
Top Notch picture
Top Top Notch: Top flight
Penny Frick of Bradenton won the grand prize in The Islander’s annual Top Notch contest for this photo of a white pelican landing in Cortez. Frick won $100 from the newspaper, plus a bevy of gifts from Islander advertisers and placement in professional photographer Jack Elka’s 2011 calendar. Look for The Islander’s honorable mentions in the Top Notch contest.
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