Bertha brings on big surf
Ethan Kirkman, 17, rides a steep, curling wave July 21 at Cortez Beach in Bradenton Beach. Strong southerly winds generated by the development of Tropical Storm Bertha churned up the Gulf of Mexico, creating large waves that drew surfers and dangerous rip currents along Anna Maria Island. Islander Photos: Robert Anderson
Pier decking down and sealed, T-end work begins soon
A pair of beachgoers enjoy the water July 22 near the base of the Anna Maria City Pier, where Tampa Bay Marine has finished installing kebony decking across the top of the new walkway. Public works general manager Dean Jones said at a July 23 city commission meeting that the wood would be sealed twice before protective matting is placed on top to protect it while remediation and demolition work is done on the T-end. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy / Reporting Ryan Paice
Pre-teen treated at beach, airlifted for medical care
An 11-year-old child was airlifted after a near-drowning July 25 at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Holmes Beach police, […]
Status report: 2024 storm expenses
It has been almost two full years since hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated Anna Maria Island. And the three island […]
RoadWatch – 07-29-2026
Eyes on the road Cortez Bridge and Cortez Road: Continuing through mid-August, concrete barriers are in the rights of […]
Utility work continues on city pier
Construction materials July 14 litter the base of the Anna Maria City Pier, where Tampa Bay Marine is progressing on the installation of electrical panels that will feed power to the pier. A second contractor, Anna Maria-based Tangerine Group, soon will begin demolition and remediation work on the T-end of the pier, 100 S. Bay Blvd. Mayor Mark Short wrote in a July 17 email to The Islander that the city was “awaiting delivery of protective mats to place on the walkway to allow the demo/remediation work to proceed without concerns of damaging the walkway.” Islander Photo: Bonner Joy/ Reporting: Ryan Paice
Cities respond to rough start for hatch season
Sea turtle hatchlings are off to a rough start on Anna Maria Island. And the island’s three cities are trying […]
BBPD’s next chief comes from within
Bradenton Beach’s next police chief is the department’s second in command. The city commission unanimously voted July 16 to appoint […]
Nesting notes: nest hatching underway
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring is seeing a sea turtle hatch success rate above 70%. During this […]