Part 1, January-June
Throughout 2025, every issue of The Islander contained news of efforts on Anna Maria Island to recover from the devastation of hurricanes Helene and Milton from the fall of 2024.
The first half of 2025 was about mending the island’s social fabric, reorganizing and reevaluating cultural events, jumpstarting the tourist economy, rebuilding infrastructure and repairing homes.
Some properties were lost. Some institutions did not come back. So islanders rejoiced with each return of a tradition, a business, a neighbor.
A flashback to 2025, from January through June:
January
Pines Park residents face closure, possible short-term tenancy: Residents in Bradenton Beach’s Pines Trailer Park received from the new park owners notice of plans to close the park. One resident told The Islander, “The greed is out of this world.”
Gloria Dei church closes: The Florida Bahamas Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, assumed responsibility for the storm-damaged Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Holmes Beach and announced its permanent closure.
Manatee County re-opens boat ramps: Manatee County reopened many boat ramps impacted by Helene and Milton, but Kingfish in Holmes Beach remained closed.
Manatee County updates Cortez Marina plans: The county announced it would name the Seafood Shack property in Cortez the Cortez Marina and said plans were underway to redevelop the site into a modern, resilient marina.
February
Bradenton Beach suspends building official: Bradenton Beach was working to maintain its permitting and inspection process following the suspension of building official Darin Cushing.
Bradenton Beach reaches consensus on home demos: Bradenton Beach officials said they wanted the demolition of 16 structures compromised by the 2024 hurricanes. Police Chief John Cosby, who oversees the city emergency management team, told commissioners he sent letters to the property owners.
County to propose new Anna Maria pier: After Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry lost a temporary dock in Anna Maria, concepts for a new pier surfaced. The county was proposing a new pier to accommodate a larger ferry.
March
Manatee County tourist council celebrates spring: Tourism promoters, seeking to shift perspectives from hurricane gloom to business bloom, delivered a bright outlook for spring. “We expect to have a really quick rebound, with record-breaking numbers for the month of March. … Probably our highest passenger numbers in the history of the airport,” Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport executive vice president Mark Stuckey told the council.
County votes to demolish storm-damaged waterfront landmark: Manatee County commissioners voted 6-1 to demolish Annie’s Bait & Tackle, a landmark waterfront destination in Cortez that was hard-hit by Helene and Milton.
State offers program to assist in home elevations: The Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Elevate Florida residential mitigation program began accepting applications for up to 75% in federal grant funding toward the cost of certain improvement projects, like structure elevations.
Anna Maria Island beaches in top shape for spring season: Despite widespread damage in the 2024 hurricane season, AMI was prepared for spring break visitors to hit the beaches.
April
Pines Trailer Park HOA sues park owner: The Pines Trailer Park Homeowners Association was suing the park owner, Pines Park Investors LLC, challenging closure notices.
Rod & Reel preps landside location: The Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria remained in ruins, but the owner confirmed that the restaurant would open in the Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza in Holmes Beach.
Turtle team goes on beach patrol: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring was making tracks on the beach. The team began surveying the beaches April 15.
Holmes Beach extends homeowner nonconformity rebuild deadline: City commissioners unanimously voted to adopt an ordinance extending the municipality’s 180-day timeline for rebuilding nonconforming structures to 365 days. The ordinance also streamlined the process to request one 180-day extension.
May
1st nest spotted on AMI: Tracks led to a sea turtle nest on Anna Maria Island, and, in a post on social media May 3, Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring teased and trumpeted, “Guess who showed up? We have our first loggerhead nest on AMI — welcome back, ladies!”
Resort owner sues over paid parking lot denial: Bungalow Beach Resort sued Bradenton Beach after commissioners denied a request for paid parking through a resort pass system. The owner had submitted a temporary use permit application after refurbishing a lot damaged by Helene and Milton.
New lawsuit filed ahead of anniversary of fatal crash: A second lawsuit was filed ahead of the second anniversary of a crash in Holmes Beach in which one pedestrian was killed and another injured.
AME bids farewell to 2 after decades of service: Anna Maria Elementary said goodbye to two retiring long-term staff members — Dr. Laura Redeker, an educator with more than 20 years of experience, and Vicki Dunning, the school’s nurse for more than 18 years.
County promotes new beach regs: Charlie Hunsicker, director of Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department, attended a Coalition of Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting to promote regulations prohibiting shovels.
In the forecast. Above-normal hurricane season: The outlook for the Atlantic season predicted a 60% chance of above-normal activity.
June
Anna Maria selects contractor for pier walkway demo: Anna Maria commissioners authorized an agreement for the demolition and debris removal of the Anna Maria City Pier walkway, which was destroyed by Helene and Milton.
Treehouse owners request fine leniency: After more than a decade of expensive litigation, the owners of the demolished Holmes Beach treehouse were seeking leniency on fines from the municipality.
Holmes Beach OKs $3M to purchase landmark church: Holmes Beach moved to offer $3 million to purchase Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, which was permanently closed due to hurricane damage.
Tingley Library’s longtime clerk ready for check-out: Eveann Adams was retiring and closing the book on her tenure at Bradenton Beach’s Tingley Memorial Library after more than two decades as clerk.
Fire district wins vacation rental assessment lawsuit: A challenge to the West Manatee Fire Rescue District’s ability to assess vacation rentals as commercial properties failed in the 12th Circuit Court.
Look to the Dec. 31 issue for Flashback 2025, part 2.