AUG. 14, 2024 FREE
VOLUME 32, NO. 43
THE BEST NEWS ON ANNA MARIA ISLAND SINCE 1992
ISLANDER.ORG
Astheworldterns 6
dot oKs Pine Ave. improvements. 3
Q&A 081424 3 Meetings 4
Welcome back, AME
BB faces empty crA seats. 4
By ryan Paice islander reporter
The controversial Holmes Beach treehouse remains intact more than a month after a court-ordered deadline for its demolition. But the owners are not facing legal repercussions for the delay — yet. 12th Circuit Judge Edward Nicholas said during an Aug. 8 compliance status conference that he would not impose penalties on the treehouse owners, Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran-Hazen, despite its delayed demolition at their home at 2818 Ave. E., where they operate Angelinos Sea Lodge. The beachfront treehouse was built in 2011 and has been the center of litigation since 2013, when the city issued code violations for the structure. The Hazens filed litigation in defense
BB closes paid-parking lots — temporarily. 5
Opinions 6
10-30 YEARS AGO
debby 2012. 7
2024 elections 8-9 more candidate misconduct complaints. 9
Save the date. 10
Happenings community events. 11
PLeASe, See Hb TReeHOUSe, PAge 2
Recovery effort follows Debby
Back-to-school. 12 Wildlife rescuers respond to debby. 12
Where’s Tuna Street?
14-15
Gathering. 16
Treehouse demolition delayed
islander Staff report Students and parents raise the American flag Aug. 12 to start the 2024-25 school year at Anna maria elementary School. islander Photo: Jacob merrifield
Top Notch
GoodDeeds 16 Streetlife 18 community center transitions to soccer. 20 debby alters fishing. 21
Swift recovery efforts followed Tropical Storm Debby’s slow passage in the Gulf of Mexico. The storm, passing Anna Maria Island about 130 miles west at its closest, brought high winds and rainfall Aug. 4-5. For most on the island, the storm left debris in yards and floodwaters on roads, but some properties flooded. Much of the mess left behind in Anna Maria was mopped up within a week. Mayor Dan Murphy said Aug. 8 that most recovery efforts were completed, with only street sweeping and some pockets of standing water left to be addressed. Pine Avenue was without power following the storm but Murphy credited state Sen. Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, for help in coordinating the deployment of Florida Power & PLeASe, See debby, PAge 17
2024 elections
To the polls
NESTING NOTES 22
Wake up, slow down. 23
PropertyWatch 23 CLASSIFIEDS. 28-29 Isl Biz: 26
Week 5: Rolling like thunder Kristen Vitale of Bradenton wins the fifth week of the top notch contest with a July 16 photo of a storm on the horizon. Vitale took the photo looking southeast from the Anna maria city Pier in Anna maria. Vitale wins an islander “more-than-a-mullet wrapper” t-shirt and entry into the finals, which offers a grand prize of $100 from the islander and gift certificates from islander advertisers. there is one weekly winner to come.
manatee county voters will head to the polls tuesday, Aug. 20, to cast primary ballots. Polling will be 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Voters at the polls must present a valid photo id. for more information, including polling places, go to page 8.
open daily at 5:30.