This week on Anna Maria Island: Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026
Renderings show the final designs for the Florida Department of Transportation’s planned fixed-span bridge on Cortez Road, spanning the Intracoastal Waterway and connecting the village of Cortez and Bradenton Beach. The DOT has announced it will begin construction in November, following the completion of a related Manatee County utility relocation project. The bridge will be built in two phases to maintain traffic throughout construction. During Phase 1, crews will construct the northern half of the new bridge alongside the drawbridge. Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge, allowing Phase 2 to begin. Phase 2 includes the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a remaining portion of the new bridge. Islander Courtesy Photos
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FDOT announces future Cortez Bridge design
Renderings show the final designs for the Florida Department of Transportation’s planned fixed-span bridge on Cortez Road, spanning the Intracoastal Waterway and connecting the village of Cortez and Bradenton Beach. The DOT has announced it will begin construction in November, following the completion of a related Manatee County utility relocation project. The bridge will be built in two phases to maintain traffic throughout construction. During Phase 1, crews will construct the northern half of the new bridge alongside the drawbridge. Once completed, traffic will be shifted onto the new bridge, allowing Phase 2 to begin. Phase 2 includes the demolition of the existing bridge and construction of a remaining portion of the new bridge. Islander Courtesy Photos
Category: 10-07-26, Community, Feature, Featured Image, News
Cortez CVHS calendar
Oct. 10, 9:30-11 a.m., Cortez Coffee. Cortez Cultural Center. Nov. 11, 3:30 p.m., CVHS Annual Meeting. Cortez Cultural Center. Dec. […]
Correction to AID closure
We announced Sept. 30 that All Island Denominations, an affiliation of the island’s churches, would cease operations Oct. 1. AID […]
Category: 10-07-26, Community, Correction, News
Bradenton man arrested for DUI
Holmes Beach police arrested Donald Freeman, 39, of Bradenton, Sept. 12, on a second-degree misdemeanor for allegedly driving under the […]
Sarasota man arrested for DUI
Holmes Beach police arrested Jeffrey Carper, 36, of Sarasota, Sept. 13, on second-degree misdemeanor charges for allegedly driving under the […]
Anna Maria clerk resignation
TO: Mayor Mark Short FROM: Amber LaRowe, MMC, CPM DATE: September 28, 2026 SUBJECT: Resignation Mayor Short: Please accept […]
RoadWatch – 10-07-26
MANATEE COUNTY Districtwide Moveable Bridges (Manatee County): Construction project: Crews will begin the installation of pedestrian/bicycle detection systems, conduits and electrical […]
Public service news
You need to know, this matters: Florida’s beaches are seeing something remarkable this year: a record number of loggerhead sea turtle nests. […]
AMITW sea turtle update
There are currently only 5 nests left on the beach. We had two more nests hatch this week and none […]
Category: 10-07-26, Community, Feature, News, turtle, turtles
Risks of The Homestead Exemption Bill
The Governor’s initiative, modified by the Legislature and known as Amendment 3, will appear on all statewide ballots this November, […]
Do you remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001?
by Lisa Neff | Be the first to comment
Last week’s question Do you remember the events of Sept. 11, 2001? Yes, very well. 96% No, […]
Top Notch: Honorable mentions
The Islander’s Top Notch contest concludes with honorable mentions, including Rick Bisio’s photo of a heron encounter in his yard in Bradenton Beach.
Last week's roundup
AID announces agency closure | Be the first to comment
Holmes Beach roadwork continues, snarls island traffic | Be the first to comment
RoadWatch – 09-30-26 | Be the first to comment
AM mayor updates city projects | Be the first to comment
Passage Key drowning victim indentified | Be the first to comment
HB finalizes 2026-27 budget, tax increase | Be the first to comment
A message from HBPD. | Be the first to comment
As the world terns – 09-30-26 | Be the first to comment
Passage Key drowning victim indentified | Be the first to comment
Bridesmaids, again and again | by Lisa Neff | Be the first to comment
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Sports
Oktoberfest kicks off KRC, soccer rules at community center
by Kevin P. Cassidy
The youth soccer league at The Center of Anna Maria Island completed week 2 of its fall season. In the […]
Recent Stories
Soccer, soccer, soccer and other island sports
29th September 2026 | Be the first to comment
Stormy startup for fall soccer plus AM horseshoes, KRC golf
22nd September 2026 | Be the first to comment
Fishing
Time to reevaluate slot-sizes on snook, some say, ‘yes’
by Capt. Danny Stasny
If you’re a flats angler around Anna Maria Island, you probably are accustomed to targeting snook. And, if you’ve been […]
Recent Stories
A scent of fall in the air calls familiar species to the hook
29th September 2026 | Be the first to comment
Cooler temps, although brief, heat up AMI fishing action
22nd September 2026 | Be the first to comment
Streetlife
Streetlife – 10-07-26
Island police reports By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice Streetlife is based on incident reports from the Manatee County Sheriff’s […]
Classifieds
The Islander Classifieds: Wednesday, October. 7, 2026
ITEMS FOR SALE BLACK AND RED roll suitcases, $20 each, black handbag, carry on, $25. 941-920-2494. ANTIQUE PARTNER DESK: All […]