Making way. 4 astheworldterns save room for skimmers. 6
Pier progress. 13
Love story. 22
#aMItogether
VOLUME 28, NO. 31
MAY 27, 2020 FRee
tourism experts plan for summer. 4
Meetings. 4 Vote Notes. 4
the Best news on anna Maria island Since 1992
islander.org
Memories to grow on at AME
Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO
Looking back. 7
storm tracking
Virus testing increases, cases drop. 8
2020 Atlantic hurricane season
Outlook: Busy storm season brewing
island explodes with holiday revelers. 9
Happenings
By Lisa neff islander editor
community announcements, activities. 9-10 Stocking up for storm season. 12 7*4*5034 .": #& -00,*/( '03 :06
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Obituaries. 16 Streetlife 18 RoadWatch. 19 NESTING NOTES. 20
Stockpiling. 21 A LOOK BACK: aMe fifth-grade students garrett nock and olivia inda smile Sept. 11, 2019, during a celebration for international Peace day. the aMe graduating class will be honored May 28. See more, page 17. islander Photo: courtesy Jessica nock
A federal forecast calls for an “abovenormal� hurricane season and comes with a reminder that it only takes one storm to cause catastrophic damage. “As Americans focus their attention on a safe and healthy reopening of our country, it remains critically important that we also remember to make the necessary preparations for the upcoming hurricane season,� Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said May 21, during a media call to review the forecast. The Atlantic hurricane season officially is June 1-Nov. 30. The outlook from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center, shows a 60% chance of an above-normal season, 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season. NOAA predicts 13-19 named storms, of which 6-10 could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, and 3-6 could become major hurricanes, with winds of 111 mph or higher. An average hurricane season produces 12 named storms, of which six become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes. PLeaSe, See stoRMs, Page 21
Rental oodgates open, businesses see hope By ryan Paice islander reporter
no letting up on tarpon run. 23
PropertyWatch. 24 CLASSIFIEDS. 24
NYT puzzle. 27
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It’s check-in time on Anna Maria Island. With the prohibition lifted on shortterm vacation rentals in Manatee County, hope rose among Anna Maria Island business owners struggling in the third month of restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gov. Ron DeSantis approved Manatee County’s safety plan to open short-term rental operations May 21 after a nearly twomonth-long closure due to concerns with the spread of the novel coronavirus. The governor previously prohibited new bookings and new check-ins at rentals for 30 days or less but, in mid-May allowed counties to draft safety plans and apply for permission to lift the ban. Manatee County filed its plan May 19 and received the go-ahead from the state
May 21, and the island’s vacation homes were immediately available for guests. The plan restricts local vacation rental owners and managers from accepting reservations from international travelers and U.S. residents living where, as of May 15, there was an overall COVID-19 case rate of less than 700 cases per 100,000 residents. Local vacation rentals managers can not accept reservations from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, the District of Columbia, Delaware, Illinois and Louisiana. Vacation rental properties must hold off 24 hours after checkout before accepting a new check-in — less turnaround time than the 72 hours specified in phase 2 of the state’s reopening guide — as well as follow instructions for operating and sanitizing properties. County administrator Cheri Coryea said at a May 19 telemeeting that rental man-
agers would self-police, but potential violations can be reported to the county code enforcement department at 941-748-2071 or the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office at 941-747-3011, ext. 2260. By the afternoon of May 22, numerous vehicles with out-of-state tags — Wisconsin, Illinois, New York and more — were observed at Publix in Holmes Beach, and the store was busy with families — sometimes 6-8 people — shopping together, mostly with no masks. Opening the rental oodgates Holmes Beach resident Mike Roaldi, the owner of two vacation rental properties in Anna Maria, told The Islander May 22 he’s pleased to reopen his properties and will abide by the plan. He agreed with the decision to close vacation rentals until the state flattened the PLeaSe, See Floodgates, Page 2