An 8-inch water main was broken by an auger Sept. 10, resulting in a 40-foot-tall geyser at about 3:30 p.m. at 76th Street and Palm Drive in Holmes Beach. It took almost two hours to bring the water under control. West Manatee Fire Rescue Fire Marshal Jim Davis was among the first at the scene. The damage occurred when a contractor, replacing a Florida Power and Light utility pole, augered the line, which was not expected to be at that location. FPL is replacing utility poles on Anna Maria Island with more hurricane-resistant ones, according to Davis. Islander Photo: Kathy Prucnell
