The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, June,03, 2026

Summer arrives on AMI, bringing beach crowds to Gulf shore

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Crowds packed Anna Maria Island beaches and roadways over Memorial Day weekend, creating traffic congestion and filling parking lots before 10 a.m. while public safety personnel responded to medical emergencies, water rescues and a near drowning.

An emergency occurred May 24 on the beach near the Sandbar Restaurant in Anna Maria, where a 24-year-old man was pulled unconscious from the Gulf of Mexico. Bystanders performed CPR and restored a pulse before emergency responders arrived, and the man was transported to HCA Florida Blake Hospital in Bradenton for treatment.

Another emergency, apparently undocumented by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, occured May 24 at Anna Maria Bayfront Park, where a young boy suf-

fered seizures. He was taken by West Manatee Fire Rescue to Holmes Beach city field, where he was flown by a medical helicopter to a trauma center.

Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short said the county deployed additional sheriff’s deputies and code enforcement officers in the city throughout the holiday weekend to help manage what he described as one of the busiest Memorial Days he could remember, with crowded beaches that were “tent to tent to tent.”

BB takes aim at valet parking, beach businesses

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach commissioners are taking aim at businesses that use public property for private profit — from valet parking operations clogging streets to cabana companies claiming spots on the sand.

Commissioners are focused on valet parking and golf cart delivery companies staging in public rights of way, commercial cabana renters setting up on public beaches and vendors selling concessions from boats

near swim zones.

Commissioners May 21 directed the city attorney to prepare a valet parking ordinance but stopped short of pursuing regulations related to cabana rentals.

Mayor John Chappie said complaints have increased over valet operators using public parking, rights of way and residential streets instead of private property.

“I think if you have valet parking, it needs to be all on your property, period,” Chappie said. “Not in

USCG targets suspected illegal charters

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The U.S. Coast Guard is cracking down on the local charter operations it says lack proper licensing and fail to follow safety regulations.

“There’s a lot of illegal boats we’ll be trying to stop before they even get out,” said Brian Knapp, chief of investigations for Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. “When we see them being advertised, we engage with them.”

Coast Guard Station Cortez crews terminated two local voyages in May, alleging they were operating under the guise of bareboat charters.

The Coast Guard on May 8 boarded the 42-foot vessel She’s Always Right near Bradenton Beach Marina with 11 passengers and allegedly operating as an illegal bareboat charter.

Knapp said they cited She’s Always Right for lacking a valid certificate of inspection, operating without a credentialed mariner in control, failing to maintain a drug and alcohol testing program and not possessing a valid certificate of documentation.

The Coast Guard also terminated a charter May 20 involving the 54-foot vessel Maititiki for allegedly operating as an illegal passenger vessel. The boat was escorted to Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Knapp said both vessels failed to meet require-

ments for legitimate charters.

“For a bareboat charter to be legally valid, the renter must have complete control over who is at the helm, whether they pilot the vessel themselves or hire a captain of their own choosing,” according to Knapp.

“Once an owner dictates which captain the renter must use, it is no longer a bareboat charter,” he added.

Knapp said public complaints, online advertisements and partner agencies help the Coast Guard identify potentially illegal charter operations.

Commercial passenger vessels must comply with federal regulations covering inspections, crew qualifications, safety equipment and drug-testing.

Coast Guard officials say the rules help protect passengers and ensure operators are prepared for emergencies.

Knapp said enforcement actions can include civil penalties against vessel owners and operators, while licensed captains may face action against their merchant mariner credentials.

He did not provide information on the results of the May 8 and May 20 citations, including whether they were contested.

Civil penalties for illegal passenger-for-hire operations can exceed $69,000 when multiple violations are involved.

the city right of way.”

Commissioner Debbie Scaccianoce, who lives near SALT Bar & Table, 2519 Gulf Drive N., said residents have reported valet operators from the restaurant parking vehicles in driveways.

“They’re just randomly finding empty rentals and parking in those driveways,” Scaccianoce said. “And the right of way. Gulf Drive is a parking lot.”

“That’s a big concern,” she added.

Ahoy, mates!

Logan Sconberg, 4, center, and his brother, Colin, 9, right, take command of the Skullywag under the watchful eye of Privateer Roger “Hoo Dat the Magnificent” Murphree during the annual Snooks Adams Kids Day picnic at Holmes Beach city field. The May 30 event continued a tradition that began in 1954 by Holmes Beach Police Chief Willis Howard “Snook” Adams as a celebration for children at the end of school.

HB dog park ‘improvements’ face pushback

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Holmes Beach’s dog park has seen a makeover in recent months — and more work is planned.

But it is unclear whether agility equipment will be included in the park’s new plans.

City commissioners May 26 tabled a proposal to add agility equipment to the dog park between 62nd Street, Flotilla Drive and 59th Street.

It is the only dedicated dog park on Anna Maria Island. It has separate spaces for large and small dogs, a wash area, as well as shade structures and benches.

After receiving public feedback about the park’s condition late last year, the city began in January to implement a series of improvements.

So far, the city has planted multiple trees, painted two former baseball dugouts used as shade structures, replaced their roofs, relocated a wash area and laid sod across almost the entire park.

Half of the sod remains fenced off as it takes root, which may take until July.

In the meantime, another improvement has been proposed: the addition of agility training equipment, including a ramp for the big dog area, as well as agility tables for both the big and small dog areas. They would be placed on concrete slabs.

Public works director Herb Raybourn told commissioners some parkgoers secured $2,000 from the Anna Maria Island Garden Club to pay for the materials, which public works staff would use to build the equipment. He said the task was “very doable.”

Commissioner Steve Oelfke said he worried about the concrete slabs becoming tripping hazards and falls off the equipment being more dangerous.

Raybourn said there were other ways the city could anchor the equipment.

Commissioners also had concerns about liability.

BB PARKING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1

Regarding golf cart rental companies using streets as staging areas for deliveries, Commissioner Ralph Cole said, “They drop their gates at 7 … 7:30 in the morning, and they’re blocking half the road off.”

Commissioner Robert Talham said he has seen people detailing golf carts on streets.

According to city attorney Erica Augello, the city has parking-related regulations in place to deal with such infractions.

“It is an enforcement issue,” she said.

The commission also revisited concerns over cabana rental companies operating on the beaches.

Cole asked for a legal opinion on regulatory action to avoid opening “a can of worms.”

Augello said regulating commercial cabana companies could create complications because the city would be distinguishing between commercial operators and recreational beachgoers using similar tents, umbrellas and shade structures on a public beach.

“If you don’t allow cabanas, you can’t allow

City attorney Randy Mora said the addition could increase the municipality’s exposure to liability, but it would not be significant.

Several residents also voiced concerns.

Renee Ferguson, a regular park user, said a proposed location for the agility ramp was hot and unshaded, so the ramp would heat up under the sun.

She suggested the equipment should be placed in a separate area from the rest of the dog park, where park users and their dogs could focus on agility training.

Sara Calhoun thanked the city for the park’s recent improvements.

“I’ve been going with my dogs for the past 10 years, and it has never looked this good,” she said. “It is so awesome.”

Calhoun also said she was concerned about adding the agility equipment, since it added risks for dogs.

She also called for the equipment to be placed in a separate area.

Tracey Edwards agreed. “Training is supposed to be one-on-one with the owner in a quiet environment, where they are focused.”

Edwards said, “It’s nice that somebody wants to give money to do it, but it needs to be put in the right spot so that it can be successful instead of a hindrance to everybody else that’s using the park.”

Kim Bowersox argued otherwise. She said the equipment was meant for play, not to be used as professional training equipment.

Bowersox added that the equipment would not be used if it is placed in a separate area and was supposed to provide dogs with other things to jump and climb on instead of the park’s benches, as they do now.

Commissioners were also divided and directed Raybourn to further research the matter.

The city commission will meet next at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 9, at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive.

cabanas for anyone,” Augello said. “It has to be a health, safety, welfare issue.”

She also said, “There are a lot of pitfalls, a lot of hurdles to crafting an ordinance.”

Anna Maria has moved forward on regulating commercial cabana operators. City officials recently adopted beach-use regulations and are developing a registration system that would require permits, insurance and compliance with operating standards.

In Holmes Beach, city officials stopped short of pursuing a ban but more recently required cabana rental companies to remove advertising and signage from cabanas. They also are reviewing regulations governing commercial activities on public beaches.

Regarding businesses selling food and beverage from boats off the beaches, Augello said, “It becomes a state monitoring problem. If the state wants to get involved and the state wants to regulate it, the state can certainly do that.”

Sgt. Brett Getman, supervisor of the MCSO’s Anna Maria station, said deputies conducted more than 100 traffic enforcement contacts and also responded to a medical emergency that required Bayflite helicopter transport.

Despite the crowds, Getman said most visitors were cooperative and no arrests were made during the weekend.

He said deputies observed issues with litter and abandoned personal property on the beaches, including tents, food containers, flotation devices and towels.

The county’s beach patrol also reported a busy weekend. Public Safety communications coordinator Francesca Constantini said the patrol personnel responded to 63 medical incidents, conducted 10 water rescues and reunited 11 missing children with families May 23-25.

Lifeguard towers were staffed 9:45 a.m.-4:45 p.m. daily, with two lifeguards also assigned to a patrol unit until 9 p.m.

Parking disputes and congestion were among the most common complaints handled by law enforcement officers throughout the weekend.

In Bradenton Beach, police Lt. Lenard Diaz said many calls involved people attempting to save parking spaces or arguing over beach parking.

“You can’t stand in front of a space and save it for somebody that’s down the road,” Diaz said.

Parking lots at Coquina Beach, where the AVP South Florida Open and Juniors Florida Regionals volleyball tournament took place May 23-24, filled early and remained crowded throughout the weekend.

ChrisAnn Allen, public information officer for the Bradenton Beach Police Department, said more than 80 parking citations were issued at Coquina Beach, Cortez Beach and the Coquina boat ramps. Of the citations tracked by the department, 59 were issued to motorists from other Florida counties, 22 to out-of-state drivers and about 30 to Manatee County residents.

In Holmes Beach, officers also dealt primarily with parking complaints and a few parking lot fights.

“We had a lot of visitors,” police Chief William Tokajer said.

According to traffic data provided by Tokajer, nearly 36,000 vehicles were recorded entering Holmes Beach May 23, nearly 35,000 May 24 and more than 32,000 May 25.

Tokajer said traffic congestion often results not from the total number of vehicles but from large numbers of visitors arriving and leaving at the same time.

Congestion on May 25 was worsened by a morning crash near the Kingfish Boat Ramp. According to a police report, a driver towing a boat was making a left turn from the boat ramp onto eastbound Manatee Avenue when a westbound vehicle struck the trailer. Two people were injured and the boat and trailer temporarily obstructed part of Manatee Avenue during one of the busiest travel periods of the weekend.

Meanwhile, Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry carried 1,515 passengers between the Bradenton riverfront and Bradenton Beach during the four-day holiday period, according to Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Elliott Falcione. Ridership totaled 285 passengers May 22, 423 May 23, 461 May 24 and 346 May 25.

Falcione said a ferry stop at Coquina Beach could be added this month, making the service more convenient for beachgoers.

Holmes Beach exploring changes to 2nd Avenue shortcut

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

Everyone’s favorite shortcut through a busy section of Gulf Drive might not be so cut-through friendly in the future.

Holmes Beach commissioners began talks May 26 about potential changes on Second Avenue to prevent cut-through traffic. The roadway is used by some motorists to avoid traffic on Gulf Drive between 43rd and 52nd streets.

That stretch of Gulf passes through the Anna Maria Elementary school speed zone, with a 15-mph speed limit enforced by automated cameras and a ticketing system.

Some motorists divert from Gulf Drive at its intersection with Holmes Boulevard, drive down 52nd Street, over to Second Avenue, then down to where it curves into 43rd Street at the Manatee Public Beach, at which point they rejoin traffic on Gulf.

According to a city staff memorandum, out of 957 motorists who traveled between 52nd Street and Manatee Avenue noon-5 p.m. on Jan. 15, 328 completed the transit using Second Avenue.

The problem is that the roadway cuts through a residential area and the volume and speed of traffic is impacting the neighborhood.

Public works director Herb Raybourn presented a handful of options for how to slow motorists on Second Avenue and limit cut-through traffic.

The top option is to modify Second and Fifth avenues where they intersect with 52nd Street by replacing part of the southbound lanes with islands so only northbound traffic is allowed.

Another cut-through reduction measure would be to install mid-intersection diverter islands at Second Avenue’s intersections with east-west streets to direct southbound traffic to Gulf Drive.

Other options for slowing traffic and improving safety along the roadway include making every Second Avenue intersection a four-way stop, reducing

The selling of concessions off AMI beaches is one business-related concern discussed by Bradenton Beach commissioners. Islander

the cut-through route, not tourists, and it is the only way to travel north or south when Gulf Drive traffic is slow.

She added that they needed to consider the impacts such changes would have on Anna Maria residents who drive through Holmes Beach.

Nevertheless, Patel and Whitmore supported a study of the proposed measures.

Commissioner Steve Oelfke voiced support for trying to limit cut-through traffic.

“I don’t think it should be a thoroughfare,” he said.

Mayor Judy Titsworth agreed with Oelfke. “We shouldn’t be making neighborhoods thoroughfares and … we need to come up with a solution because it is wrong” for the residents to endure so much traffic.

Feedback during public comment also was divided.

Resident Sara Calhoun, a traffic engineer, recommended conducting the study, but admitted to using the roadway as a cut-through. She said the traffic statistics did not warrant changes.

“We looked at the volumes cited and it was 60 trips an hour or something. That’s pretty minor in the world of traffic, in any roadway,” Calhoun said.

the speed limit to 15 mph, installing raised crosswalks and speed tables and narrowing lanes.

The proposed changes would cost about $312,000.

Raybourn said such changes should first be explored using temporary measures, such as positioning barricades, so the city can study their impacts.

City officials were split on the matter.

Commissioners Jessica Patel and Carol Whitmore said they regularly use Second Avenue as a cutthrough.

“I’ve been using it for 50 years,” Whitmore said. She argued that only island residents knew about

Resident Nancy Deal voiced support for slowing traffic instead of preventing southbound traffic from accessing Second Avenue.

“I think putting those barricades up and not letting people do Second Avenue, that’s a big mistake,” she said.

Resident Mark Hebden said he purchased property along the roadway believing it to be a local street, but it has since become a busy road.

He supported blocking off southbound traffic for Second and Fifth avenues.

“It isn’t the job of our neighborhood to take on the additional traffic and issues,” he added.

Following public comment, commissioners agreed to revisit the matter at a future meeting.

Post-holiday cleanup

Bradenton moms and daughters — Kim Nesbitt and daughter Eleanor, on the left, Lena MacDonald and daughter Stella, on the right — stand together May 26 before walking the shore near 52nd Street in Holmes Beach in the city’s post-Memorial Day cleanup. Volunteers collected 13 buckets of litter during the cleanup, according to code compliance clerk Sandy Olson.

WMFR moves forward with tax assessment increase

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The West Manatee Fire Rescue District failed to secure ad valorem taxing rights at the ballot box in March.

But property owners could still see higher taxes when fiscal 2026-27 begins in October.

District commissioners unanimously voted May 19 to approve a preliminary assessment roll for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1.

The preliminary assessment roll includes a 7.9% increase from the district’s current rates, a move that is projected to raise $998,604.59 in added revenue.

The district’s current rates include a $253.94 residential base rate and an added $0.1497 charge per square foot in excess of 1,000 square feet. That adds up to a $403.68 assessment fee for a 2,000-square-foot home.

The commercial rate includes a $631.09 base rate and an additional $0.2949 charge per square foot more than 1,000 square feet. So, the current assessment fee for a 2,000-square-foot commercial building is $904.35.

Properties used as transient public lodging establishments are charged at the district’s commercial rate.

The current rates are projected to raise the district $12,640,564.41 this year, but the new rates will increase that number to $13,639,169 for fiscal 2026-27.

The new residential rate includes a $274 base rate and a $0.1615 charge for square footage more than

Holmes Beach code compliance supervisor JT Thomas, left, stands May 26 with residents Valerie Thompson and Deb Trotter, as well as code compliance clerk Sandy Olson, right, under a tent where Thomas and Olson provided volunteers with buckets and garbage pickers. Islander Photo: Courtesy City of Holmes Beach

1,000 square feet. The resulting fee for a 2,000-squarefoot home would be $435.53.

The new commercial rates include a $680.95 base rate and a $0.2949 rate for square footage in excess of 1,000 square feet. The owner of a 2,000-squarefoot commercial building would be assessed a $975.84 fee.

The new rates will be adopted with the district’s next budget, which commissioners must approve before Oct. 1.

There was no public comment.

The district’s next commission meeting will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at its administrative building, 701 63rd St. W., Bradenton.

Streetlife

Island police reports

By Robert Anderson and Ryan Paice

Streetlife is based on incident reports from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach police departments.

Anna Maria

May 24, Anna Maria MCSO Substation, 307 Pine Ave., complaint. The complainant, who owns a pool company that services the area, went to the substation to report he was threatened by a client. The complainant wanted the incident documented.

Bradenton Beach

May 20, 700 block of Gulf Drive S., stolen vehicle. An MCSO deputy responded to a report of a stolen golf cart. The vehicle was later found a few streets away with the keys on the seat.

May 22, 200 Bridge St., Historic Bridge Street Pier, aggravated battery. A BBPD officer responded to the Historic Bridge Street Pier following a parking dispute in which a person allegedly hit and shattered a vehicle windshield and claimed they were struck by the vehicle. Officers found no evidence to support the claim.

May 22, 200 Gulf Drive N., Beach House, harassment. A person told police they were harassed through social media after not paying their restaurant bill.

Cortez

No new reports

Holmes Beach

May 21, 100 block of 31st Street, trespass. An HBPD officer responded to a report at a rental property of a trespasser who fled on foot. A Walgreens receipt left behind led to a review of security footage at the store.

May 24, 100 block of 43rd Street, alcohol/drugs/ violating probation. An officer responded to reports of a juvenile seen smoking in a private parking lot and found a group of people, including a juvenile with an open alcohol bottle and a blunt. Multiple bottles of alcohol, tobacco products and a bag containing marijuana were found in a backpack. The officer arrested the juvenile. A 20-year-old man was found in possession of a liquor bottle and issued a court summons. And another 20-year-old was found in violation of probation. He was arrested and transported to the county jail.

May 24, 4300 block of Second Avenue, criminal mischief. A city code compliance officer found a plastic chain blocking a private lot was destroyed and multiple vehicles were parked there. An HBPD officer issued parking tickets for four vehicles in the lot.

Election 2026

Qualifying taking place

Qualifying for the municipal election opened June 1 in Anna Maria. Two commission seats and the mayoral post are up for election in the city.

Qualifying begins at noon Monday, June 8, for Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach candidates, as well as for state, county and special district officeseekers.

The qualifying deadline is noon Friday, June 12.

Two commission seats are up for election in Bradenton Beach. In Holmes Beach, the mayoral post and two commission seats are up for election.

As of May 29, active candidates included:

• Incumbent Mark Short for mayor and incumbent Christopher Arendt for commissioner in Anna Maria;

• Incumbent Carol Whitmore and newcomer Steven Hebden for commissioner and Dan Diggins for mayor in Holmes Beach.

To contact the SEO, go to votemanatee.gov or call 941-741-3823.

CRA moves closer to final undergrounding phase

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Bradenton Beach is moving closer toward completing the final phase of utility undergrounding in the community redevelopment area.

CRA board members received an update May 21 from engineer Mark Porter of Utility Consultants of Florida on the work.

The CRA began undergrounding utilities in 2018 with initial work along Bridge Street and portions of Gulf Drive. Later phases expanded to surrounding streets within the district south of Cortez Road.

Porter said Florida Power & Light had provided a 2025 estimate of about $763,000 for the final phase. An estimated utility tariff credit of about $203,000 would reduce the cost to $560,000 before additional expenses tied to telecommunications carrier infrastructure.

Porter estimated carrier-related work could add $170,000-$220,000 to the total.

He said the work would largely finish the CRA initiative, though portions near Cortez Road would remain linked to the upcoming Cortez Bridge replacement project and related right-of-way work.

Porter said boundary and right-of-way surveys were submitted to FPL for design work. Preliminary utility equipment locations are expected in July.

Once locations are identified, the city will begin coordinating with property owners to secure easements before FPL issues a final binding cost estimate.

Commissioners cited multiple benefits tied to undergrounding utilities, including improved storm resiliency, reduced tree conflicts and improved aesthetics.

“It looks good at the south end where it’s been completed,” Porter said.

Is your business ready to make the most of every day?

Improve your odds of success with Islander newspaper readers looking to shop and dine, seeking souvenirs and memories, indoor and outdoor fun, and even a place to stay for their next visit. Call or text 941-778-7978.

Center positions for 4th-quarter comeback

By Ryan Paice Islander Reporter

The Center of Anna Maria Island is in a hole for fiscal 2025-26, but a fourth-quarter comeback may be in order.

The nonprofit was $246,648 in the red through March — three months before its fiscal year ends June 30 — according to a report shared with The Islander.

The community center reduced its defi cit from $350,854.83 in November 2025 to $156,485.82 in January on the back of two positive months.

However, that deficit increased by $90,161.94 over the next two months.

In February, nothing went the nonprofit’s way. While it raised $53,474.36 in program income, it spent $74,775.85 on general and administrative expenses, resulting in a $21,301.49 loss from operations.

On the fundraising side, the center spent $128,609.30 and only raised $61,680.24, resulting in a $66,929.06 loss from its fundraising efforts.

Altogether, the nonprofit added $88,230.55 to its deficit in February.

In March, the center made $35,153.79 in fundraising income, but that was outweighed by a $36,536.18 in losses from operations and $549 in capital overlay costs — resulting in a $1,931.39 overall loss for the

Pier utility conduits going in Noah Beneley, left, and Josh Bobb, right, of Cortezbased Dockside Electric, stand May 26 alongside piping at the base of the Anna Maria City Pier’s new walkway. Dockside was hired as a subcontractor by Tampa Bay Marine to install electrical conduits and run utility lines out to the T-end. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

month.

Despite the $246,648 hole and limited timeframe, the nonprofit may still finish in the black.

Executive director Christopher Culhane expressed confidence in a May 27 email to The Islander that the center would finish fiscal 2025-26 in the black.

“While we are still pretty far behind for the year, we are grateful to have had such an incredible giving challenge to help us close the gap before the fiscal year end,” he wrote. He was referring to the 2026 Giving Challenge, which ran April 15-16 and raised $162,615 for the nonprofit.

Culhane added that the center also received a $100,000 anonymous donation “for an upcoming and ongoing project” that will be announced later.

“While this $262,615 is not reflected in the financials provided to date, it will certainly help us finish the year in the black once again,” he wrote.

Additionally, funds from the city of Anna Maria may help the nonprofit erase its current deficit. The municipality owns the land and leases it to the community center, 407 Magnolia Ave., while also contributing funding from its annual budget.

On May 28, city commissioners approved a $25,000 donation to fund capital projects, such as repairing and resurfacing the facility’s outdoor tennis courts.

Stacks of boards rest May 26 atop the foundation of the city pier walkway, where Tampa Bay Marine will install hardwood decking after setting spacers to raise the decking off the concrete slabs. The contractor is projected to finish construction on the walkway by the end of June. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

It’s about time

I can recall in years past when the U.S. Coast Guard did more than practice maneuvers and rescues in the Gulf of Mexico along the shore of Anna Maria.

Back in the 1970s, they boarded and searched plenty of boats in the waters here, looking for illegal drugs.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission used to operate the Florida Marine Patrol, and they were known to stop fishers on the water, searching for illegal catches and later, after the statewide net ban in 1995, for illegal nets.

That’s when fishers around the island knew the FMP officer by name (thanks to Terry Noles) and could rely on him to be on the water and ready to help if they needed him.

Now you’re lucky if the FWC calls you a week after the fact when you report questionable activity on the water.

It’s a problem with “manpower.”

But, in my opinion, they don’t have enough officers to be effective and possible illegal activity involving wildlife and marine life is going unchecked.

Just a couple of years ago we had problems locally with people scouring the flats in Sarasota Bay and taking as many live shellfish and other small sealife as they could carry for faraway markets. It became a question of whether the fisheries could recover from the scraping.

And it was a problem for citizen watchdogs who found themselves scouring the area for wildlife officers, many of whom we were told were sent far away for border patrol duties.

For now, the Coast Guard has taken notice of an increase in tour boats and charters in our waters.

We know most of the tours and charters — with many thanks to my longtime friend Ben Webb — are operating legally and with utmost respect for local marine life, seagrasses, mangroves and the natural environment that they show off on their tours.

But there will always be unscrupulous people renting boats that are unsafe for charters and especially unsafe for liveaboards, taking advantage of people who can’t afford comfortable housing.

It’s amazing how we’ve changed from a quiet island where even people who lived here many years weren’t aware of nesting sea turtles, a thriving dolphin community in Sarasota Bay, manatees lumbering through the waterways and, yes, plenty of sharks and other predators in the waters.

But now that tourism is keen on our environment and all its treasures, we have to protect it.

Please, do your part.

— Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

OpinionYour

Preserve plans

Thank you for your coverage in The Islander about Leffis Key remaining closed after the 2024 hurricanes.

It is one of the most special places on the island, offering a quiet natural beauty that means a great deal to residents and visitors alike.

Q&A The Islander poll

This week’s question

What best describes your connection to Anna Maria Island?

A. Full-time resident.

B. Seasonal or part-time resident.

C. Vacationer.

D. Employed on AMI.

▼ Publisher, editor

Our beaches are wonderful, but Leffis Key offers something different and irreplaceable. Its trails, views and peaceful setting make it a treasured part of the island’s character.

To answer the poll, go to islander.org.

Last week’s question

Ever evacuated for a hurricane?

JUNE 3, 2026 Vol. 34, No. 32

▼ Editorial

Bonner Joy, news@islander.org

Robert Anderson, robert@islander.org

Joe Bird, editorial cartoonist

Kevin Cassidy, kevin@islander.org

Jack Elka, jackelka000@gmail.com

Lisa Neff, lisa@islander.org Ryan Paice, ryan@islander.org

▼ Contributors

Jacob Merrifield

Capt. Danny Stasny, fish@islander.org

▼ Advertising Sales

Lisa E. Hlywa, lisae@islander.org ads@islander.org

▼ Lisa Williams info@, accounting@, classifieds@, subscriptions@islander.org

▼ Distribution

Urbane Bouchet

Ross Roberts

Judy Loden Wasco

▼ Webmaster Wayne Ansell

I sincerely hope Manatee County will do all it can to reopen Leffis Key to the public sooner than currently planned, so the community can once again enjoy and appreciate this remarkable place.

Janey Coakley, Bradenton

All others: info@islander.org

Connections

Anna Maria: Mayor Mark Short; 941-708-6130; 10005 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria FL 34216; cityofannamaria.com.

Bradenton Beach: Mayor John Chappie; 941778-1005; 107 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach FL 34217; 941-778-1005, cityofbradentonbeach.org.

Holmes Beach: Mayor Judy Titsworth; 941-7085800; 5801 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach FL 34217; holmesbeachfl.org.

Manatee County: Commissioner Tal Siddique, District 3, tal@mymanatee.org, 941-398-4729.

Florida Senate: Sen. Jim Boyd; 941-742-6445; boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov.

Florida House: Rep. William Cloud “Will” Robinson Jr., District 71; 941-708-4968; will.robinson@ myfloridahouse.gov.

U.S. House: U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, District 16; 941-747-9081; buchanan.house.gov.

U.S. Senate: Ashley Moody, moody.senate.gov; and Sen. Rick Scott, rickscott.senate.gov.

• Yes, multiple times. 35%

• Yes, once or twice. 30%

• Never ordered to go. 28%

• No, ordered to but stayed. 7%

Ask a question

Got a question to recommend for The Islander’s weekly poll at islander.org? The Islander welcomes your ideas. Email lisa@islander.org with your question.

Skimming online

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Facebook: islandernewspaper

Instagram: @theislanderami

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Archive: ufdc.ufl.edu

Submit news, letters: news@islander.org

Letters to the editor

The Islander welcomes your opinion letters Letters should be no more than 250 words and include a name, address and contact phone number. Email letters to the editor via news@islander.org.

Looking back

Over exposed

Beach erosion is evident on the north end of Anna Maria in August 1980.

Islander Photos: Courtesy Manatee County Public Library System

Offshore haul

A dump truck unloads tires to be used to build an offshore reef in the early 1980s.

10-20-30 years ago

In the headlines: May 30, 1996

• More than 50 police officers responded to a fight on Memorial Day at Coquina Beach in Bradenton Beach. Two men were arrested, accused of inciting a riot. During the melee, police used pepper spray.

• Holmes Beach’s mayor said the city would not pursue the feasibility of placing a communications tower on city property without a formal request from GTE.

• Local environmentalists and politicians took part in a seminar on global warming and heard concerns about rising sea levels.

In the headlines: May 31, 2006

• A 1,280-pound hammerhead shark caught offshore of Boca Grande ended up in a commercial freezer in Cortez, awaiting taxidermy by researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory. The shark was trailered to Cortez’ A.P. Bell Fish House.

• Islanders were rolling up their sleeves for an islandwide blood drive that raised money for several local nonprofits and put reserves in blood banks.

From the June 1, 2016, issue

• The Center of Anna Maria Island expected to end its fiscal year $90,000 in the red. The year before, the community center ended its fiscal year with a $20,000 loss.

• The city of Anna Maria was facing a total of 48 Bert Harris Jr. claims and the potential property value losses of $13.6 million after instituting its vacation rental regulations.

— Lisa Neff

The Islander is archived online by the University of Florida library at www.ufdc.ufl.edu.

You can peruse The Islander newspaper archive, dating back to its launch in November 1992, at ufdc.ufl.edu.

Tiki & Kitty’s

beach, antique, boho, midcentury modern and other home decor styles. They also offer vintage to fine jewelry and vintage vinyl records.

goods, furniture and decor, garden features, candles, jewelry and work by local artisans, as well as Dixie Belle paints.

You might want to lace up your skates, as this large, former skating rink has plenty to offer bargain hunters as well as discriminating shoppers seeking quality antiques and unique decor.

Next to Cat’s Meow, there’s Blue Flamingo , another “must stop.” The atmosphere here is always festive and fun, but now the collection includes vendors from Blessed and Distressed, Gathering Place and the Sea Hagg.

And every room has eye-popping arrangements.

They have three large buildings filled with vintage treasures and nauticals, upcycled and repurposed

Scavengers Marketplace has plenty of vendors to capture your wallet in Palmetto at 2100 U.S. 301. There’s always something new to entice you among the vendors’ eclectic collections.

FYI: Scavengers carries Fusion Paints.

The Vintage Vine Market is a favorite for Tiki and Kitty, who love the fine vintage wares and items with a whimsical twist at this store in historic Old Manatee along the Bradenton Riverwalk. The location in the historic 1910-building oozes charm. And they too are growing and now, taking select consignments by appointment.

And don’t forget, tell people you meet along the way, “The Islander sent me.”

Compiled by Lisa Neff, calendar@islander.org

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ON AMI

Wednesday, June 10

6:30 p.m. — Island Time Book Club, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341, mymanatee.org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

• First Fridays, 6-9:30 p.m., Village of the Arts First Fridays Artwalk, 12th Street West and 12th Avenue West, Bradenton. Info: villageofthearts.com.

• Through June 28, “Pleibol! In the Barrios and the Big Leagues” exhibit, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-746-4131.

• Through June 28, Florida Maritime Museum “Vacationing in Cortez” exhibit, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-746-4131.

• Through Aug. 23, “In the Flesh: The Nude in Modern Japan,” The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies except Mondays. Info: 941-359-5700, ringling.org.

Through Sept. 5, Thursday-Saturday, times vary, Laser Light Nights, the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, 201 10th St. W., Bradenton. Fee applies. Info: 941-746-4131.

• Through Sept. 16, “The Evocative Lens: Pictorialism and the Rise of Fine Art Photography,” The Ringling, 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. Fee applies except Mondays. Info: 941-359-5700, ringling. org.

SAVE THE DATES

• June 25, Tingley Memorial Library’s Florida Author Book Club, Bradenton Beach.

Thursday, June 4

10 a.m. — Pottery dinosaur painting, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

• Through July 31, Road Trip USA: Summer Reading Program at the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941778-6341, mymanatee.org.

• Most Wednesdays and Saturdays through June, Pop-up Play Time, Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach. 941-779-1208, facebook.com/tingleymemoriallibrary.

• Most Fridays, 10 a.m., Forty Carrots, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

• Most Tuesdays, 10 a.m., Family Storytime, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

LEARNING & EDUCATION

ONGOING ON AMI

• Mondays, 10 a.m., AMITW’s Turtle Tracks & Shorebird Facts, Holmes Beach City Hall, 5801 Marina Drive. Info: 941-301-8434. CLUBS & COMMUNITY ON AMI

Thursday, June 4

1 p.m. — Sunshine Stitchers Knit and Crochet, Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341.

ONGOING ON AMI

• Most Fridays and Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m., mahjong, Island

Photo contest launches

Island happenings

The Islander’s Top Notch contest begins anew.

The photo contest celebrates what was known as the “Kodak moment.”

Mark Friday, July 10.

That is the first of six weekly deadlines.

Six weeks. Six winners.

The contest will name six weekly front-page winners, and each of those winning entries will move on to compete for the grand prize: $100 from The Islander, along with certificates from partner merchants.

One shot will stand above the rest.

So, your July 4 holiday photos may be especially timely in the coming weeks.

There’s more.

A pet photo contest also will name a prize-winner, and honorable mentions will get a shoutout as well.

A few requirements: Each original JPG must be submitted in a single email, along with the photographer’s name, the date the photo was taken, the location, a description, the names of any recognizable people, and the photographer’s address and phone number.

All rules must be followed.

Complete rules are published at islander.org.

Entries can be sent to topnotch@islander.org.

— Bonner Joy

Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-6341. MARKETS &

Friday, June 5

10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Tingley Memorial Library Book Sale, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach. Info: 941-779-1208.

Saturday, June 6

10 a.m.-3 p.m. — Tingley Memorial Library Book Sale, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach. Info: 941-779-1208.

ONGOING ON AMI

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Shepherd’s Closet thrift store at the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation, 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 941-778-1638.

• Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturdays, 9 a.m.noon, Roser Guild Thrift Shop, 511 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

SPORTS & FITNESS ON AMI

Saturday, June 6

10 a.m.-5 p.m. — Center of AMI One Love Skim Competition, Magnolia Avenue beach access, Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-1908.

ONGOING OFF AMI

• Through Sept. 6, Bradenton Marauders baseball, LECOM Park, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. Info: 941-747-3031.

SAVE THE DATES

• June 26-28, Full Send Fishing Tournament, Anna Maria. OUTDOORS & NATURE OFF AMI

Friday, June 5

6 p.m. — Game Night at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Info: 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

Tingley holds BOGO sale

Tingley Memorial Library will hold a book sale 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6.

Most titles will sell for $1, and all books will be buy one, get one free.

The selection includes novels, biographies, cookbooks and children’s books.

The library is at 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach.

For more information, call 941-779-1208.

Summer reading begins

Manatee County Public Library’s summer reading program runs through July 31, with a cross-country theme — Road Trip USA — inviting readers up to age 18 to explore the country through books.

Participants will track their reading using the Beanstack app, earning free books and prizes along the way.

Readers who log 20 hours will qualify for a grand prize drawing and receive two vouchers to a Bradenton Marauders game in August.

Kids can register at any branch, including the Island Library, 5701 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach.

The library also has two other reading challenges for kids: 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and 500 Books Before Middle School.

For more information, go online to mymanatee. beanstack.org.

To reach the Island Library, call 941-778-6341.

Saturday, June 6

9 a.m.-noon — World Ocean Day: Dive into Ocean Fun, Robinson Preserve at the NEST, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Info: 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

Monday, June 8

6:30 p.m. — Sunset Tai Chi at the NEST, 840 Robinson Preserve, 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Info: 941-748-4501, mymanatee. org.

ONGOING OFF AMI

• Saturdays, 9 a.m., Manatee County Natural Resources Department’s Saturday Mornings at the NEST, Robinson Preserve, 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton. Info: 941-748-4501, mymanatee.org.

SAVE THE DATES

• June 29, Sea Turtle Conservancy’s sea turtle release, Bradenton Beach.

CALENDAR NOTES

MARK THE DATES

• Through Oct. 31, sea turtle nesting season.

• Through Nov. 30, hurricane season.

• June, Pride Month.

• June 14, Flag Day.

• June 21, Father’s Day. ANNOUNCEMENTS GET LISTED!

Send listings to calendar@islander.org.

Mike Sales

Live! AMI! Music!

Who’s playing tonight?

“Living the dream.” You may hear this after asking local musicians, who make a living playing songs they love, how they’re doing.

Every time you choose a live music venue, you’re helping keep their dreams alive.

Sales

Here are some live music performances this week:

Mademoiselle Paris, 9906 Gulf Drive, Anna Maria, mademoiselleparis.com. Chuck Davis, 5:308:30 p.m. Friday- Saturday. Harry’s Grill, 9903 Gulf Drive, AM, harrysgrillami.com. Pamela K. Ward 6-8:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; Skip Eaton 6-8:30 p.m. Sunday; Steve Arvey & Deacon Gibson, 6-8:30 p.m. Monday; Scotty Yates 6-8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Ugly Grouper, 5704 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, uglygrouper.com. Raquel Santana noon-3 p.m. and Joe Wood 5-8 p.m. Wednesday; Noel Harris noon-3 p.m. and Sebastian Tenorio 5-8 p.m. Thursday; GulfCoastinLife noon-3 p.m. and Marko Coconut 5-8 p.m. Friday; Cody Moore noon-3 p.m. and Zion 5-8 p.m. Saturday; Scotty Mac noon-3 p.m. and Paul Dudrich 5-8 p.m. Sunday; Noel Harris noon-3 p.m. and Miguel Lantigua 5-8 p.m. Monday; Joe Wood noon-3 p.m. and Justin Layman 5-8 p.m. Tuesday.

Anna Maria Island Beach Cafe, 4000 Gulf Drive, HB, amibeachcafe.com. Ted Stevens 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday; Mike Sales 5:30-8:30 p.m. Friday; Ron Headley 5:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday; Harold Antoine 5:30-8:30 p.m. Sunday; Rit Johnson & Scott Blum 5:30-8:30 p.m. Monday; Tim McCaig 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach, wickedcantina.com. Ross David 6-9 p.m. Wednesday; Michael Mac 6-9 p.m. Thursday; Hi Fi Drifters 2-5 p.m. and Ross David 6-9 p.m. Friday; Hi Fi Drifters 2-5 p.m. and Paul Cataldo 6-9 p.m. Saturday; Hi Fi Drifters 2-5 p.m. and Chris Warner 6-9 p.m. Sunday; Michael Mac 6-9 p.m. Monday; Ken Macy 6-9 p.m. Tuesday.

Island Time Bar and Grill, 111 Gulf Drive S., BB, islandtimebarandgrill.com. Bobby Schneck 6:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday; Cam Stockton 7-10 p.m. Thursday; Island Hoppers 7-10 p.m. Friday; Rye Road 7-10 p.m. Saturday; Marcel 6:30-9:30 p.m. Sunday; James Albritton 6:30-9:30 p.m. Monday; Caleb Woods 6:30-9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

88 Live Piano Bar, 6640 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. 88livebradenton.com. Eric Von 7-10 p.m. Wednesday; Full Throttle Band Tampa Bay 7-10 p.m. Thursday; Dueling Pianos 8-11:30 p.m. Friday; Dueling Pianos 8-11:30 p.m. Saturday; Greg Billings & The Stay Up Lates 6-9 p.m. Sunday; 88 Live Jam Band 7-10 p.m. Tuesday.

Clancy’s Sports Bar & Grill, 6218 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, clancysirishsportspub.com. Rye Road 6-10 p.m. Thursday; The Doodz 6-10 p.m. Friday; Jack’d Up 5-9 p.m. Saturday; Concrete Edgar Duo 4-8 p.m. Sunday; Zack Pomerleau 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. Say “hi” if you wind up with me!

To reach Mike Sales, call or text 941-448-5798 or find him on Facebook.

Island happenings

Little graduates

The Anna Maria Elementary VPK graduating class of 2026 poses May 27 with teacher’s assistant Erin Bobo, left, and teacher Julie Gramman following the school’s VPK graduation ceremony.

AME educators retire Anna Maria Elementary honors retiring educators and staff May 28 during an end-of-year celebration, including Rhea Skaggs, left, Julie Gramman, Pidge Barreda, Sandy Fisher and Regina Fallgren. Together, the five women represent decades of education and service at AME. Islander

Photos: Courtesy AME

AME VPK student Courtney Feiner, right, poses with her mother, Vivienne Feiner, following the May 27 VPK graduation ceremony.

Center registering for camp

The Center of Anna Maria Island is launching Summer My Way, a nine-week summer camp program for kids in kindergarten through fifthgrade that lets campers choose between sports, creative discovery and specialty programming each week.

The camp runs 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday through July 31.

Weekly costs are $195 for members and $215 for nonmembers, with a sliding scale available for qualifying families.

Optional specialty camps are offered each week on a first-come, first-served basis with limited availability.

Registration must be completed by the Thursday before each week of attendance and space is limited.

For more information or to register, visit centerami.org/summer-my-way or email youthprograms@centerami.org.

The center is at 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

The center phone number is 941-778-1908.

Gathering By Lisa Neff

Roser to host Bible school

Roser Memorial Community Church will hold its vacation Bible school, “Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God,” Monday-Friday, through June 5, at 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria.

The free program is open to children entering kindergarten through those who have completed fifthgrade. The program begins with dinner at 5:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall followed by activities.

Throughout the week, participants will take part in Bible-learning activities, music, team games and science experiments.

The curriculum centers on a concept called “God Sightings,” which encourages children to look for evidence of God in the world around them. Each evening closes with a “Canopy Closing” that invites family members and friends to join in.

Parents are specifically invited to attend the Friday Night Closing Dinner June 5.

Teenagers interested in serving as assistant crew leaders and adults wishing to volunteer can register through the church’s website, roserchurch.com.

Roser Church is a nondenominational Christian congregation.

For more information, call 941-778-0414.

Obituaries

Charles Stephen Daniel

Charles Stephen Daniel, 86, formerly of Anna Maria, died April 3 in hospice care in Bradenton. With a degree in criminology, he served in the U.S. Air Force OSI in the United States, Korea, Vietnam and Japan. He then worked as a cablesplicing technician for Southwestern Bell/SBC/AT&T for more than 25 years, retiring in the late 1980s.

Daniel

He moved to Florida in 2000, initially residing on Anna Maria Island, then at Waters Edge in Bradenton. He had many friends wherever he lived. He will be fondly remembered, especially by the residents’ dogs at Waters Edge, who happily received the treats he offered.

He asked that donations be made to Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center, 2207 Ave. B, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, or St. Jude’s Hospital.

Mr. Daniel is survived by brothers William L of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Thomas C of Goreville, Illinois.

Obituaries are offered as a service to residents and families of residents, past and present. Submit to news@islander.org.

Milestones

Bradenton Beach officer honored Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby presents the department’s 2025 Officer of the Year award to Officer Devon Straight May 21 at a city commission meeting. Cosby recognized Straight’s eight years of service and his vigilance and dedication to patrol duties, citing a March 21 traffic stop that led to drug and counterfeit license plate charges. Islander

Photo: Robert Anderson

AMI celebrates scholars

The Center of Anna Maria Island recently announced that Konnor Oelfke is the 2026 recipient of the John van Zandt “JvZ” Scholarship.

A news release from the center said Konnor was selected for his dedication, hard work and commitment to pursuing a career in a skilled trade. Through the scholarship, he will receive $5,000 as he works toward his certification in automotive service technology.

The scholarship supports graduating seniors entering careers that require certifications, licenses or apprenticeships in high-demand industries.

The scholarship program is administered at the center and funded in memory of the late John van Zandt.

The Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island in Holmes Beach also recently presented $1,500 scholarships to Manatee High School graduates Jennifer Sharp and Kathy Lee Patterson.

And the Anna Maria Island Privateers will celebrate its 2026 scholarship recipients during a lunch at noon Saturday, June 6, at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.

GoodDeeds

Assistance offered on AMI

• Roser Food Bank offers aid, Roser Church, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria. Info: 941-778-0414.

• All Island Denominations helps people who fulfill its mission with financial needs. Info: 941-778-0414.

Assistance sought on AMI

• All Island Denominations accepts financial donations at P.O. Box 814, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Info:

1st class promotion

van Zandt Scholarship award. Islander Courtesy Photo 941-778-0414.

• AMI Privateers seek a covered building and/or land for storage. Info: amiprivateers.org.

• Cortez Village Historical Society seeks volunteers. Info: cvhs2016@aol.com.

• Friends of the Island Library seeks volunteers, especially with tech and web work. Info: 941-7786341.

• Tingley Memorial Library, 111 Second St. N., Bradenton Beach, seeks volunteers. Info: 941-7791208.

• Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center seeks gift cards for supplies. Info: 941-778-6324.

• Kim Bowersox/KW On the Water seeks donated toilet paper and paper towel rolls to make treat training tools for rescued dogs, drop off at AMI Beach and Dog Supply, 5402 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Info: 407-383-3519.

Nesting notes

By Lisa neff

Double the delight

Sea turtle nesting activity on Anna Maria Island surged, with numbers reported May 29 doubling compared to the week prior, according to the Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.

“So the turtles are in full nesting mode,” said AMITW executive director Kristen Mazzarella. “Our patrol teams have been busy working up all the crawls each morning.”

Mazzarella said crews even observed a loggerhead sea turtle covering its nest before returning to the Gulf. Loggerheads are the most common sea turtle species to nest on AMI.

With nesting season in full swing, AMITW is encouraging people to take steps to protect nesting habitat. Artificial lighting is among the greatest threats, as it can disorient turtles navigating to and from the water.

Mazzarella reminded people to shield or turn off any lights visible from the beach after sunset.

Other recommended precautions include removing beach furniture and toys from the sand at night and

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

Anna Maria Island’s next phase of beach restoration is expected to begin in August, with sand pumped ashore, dune reconstruction and hurricane recovery projects scheduled to continue into 2027.

Manatee County Natural Resources director Charlie Hunsicker provided Bradenton Beach officials with an updated project timeline during a May 21 meeting.

In March, Hunsicker had said a tentative schedule showed renourishment beginning in June.

After this stage, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to begin a larger federal renourishment project from 79th Street North in Holmes Beach south-

filling in holes that could obstruct crawling turtles.

AMITW also is encouraging people to give shorebirds nesting in Bradenton Beach their space.

A black skimmer colony is holding steady with more than 100 birds on 40 nests, while a least tern colony has grown to over 50 birds tending 26 nests.

With hatching season approaching, protective pyramid-shaped “chick huts” have been installed within two posted colony enclosures to shade newborns and shield them from predators, including fish crows and laughing gulls.

County updates schedule for Bradenton Beach, Holmes Beach renourishment

ward to Fifth Street South in Bradenton Beach.

Hunsicker said the Corps was anticipating a notice to proceed in October, though he did not provide a revised construction start date.

The project is expected to place about 900,000 cubic yards of sand along the shoreline.

Hunsicker said the Corps will then move into Federal Emergency Management Agency-funded repair work tied to 2024 storms — Debby, Helene and Milton.

The work was projected as a separate renourishment phase in April and May 2027 but under the updated plan discussed May 21, the work would be combined into the broader effort.

Hunsicker said combining the projects under a

single mobilization could save an estimated $4 million to $5 million in contractor costs.

Additional work planned as part of the renourishment effort includes dune reconstruction, vegetation plantings and the removal of a number of deteriorating rock groins at Coquina Beach.

The county will replace many of the groins with offshore breakwaters to improve shoreline protection while reducing hazards along the beach in 2027.

“Coquina Beach will once again be a sandy beach,” Hunsicker said.

He also said the county continues developing plans for a low-profile seawall near Cortez Beach that’s intended to replace temporary rock barriers installed along Gulf Drive South after storms.

Soccer champs crowned at center, KRC Memorial Day winners

By Kevin P. Cassidy Islander Reporter

Another youth soccer season at the Center of Anna Maria Island has come to an end with champs being crowned in three divisions.

The seven-team, 8-10 division saw No. 4 seed Isola Bella Italian Eatery earn upset victories over the top two seeds to emphatically claim the 8-10 spring championship. They opened the playoffs at the center, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria, on May 25 with a 2-1 victory over No. 5 AMI Outfitters behind a goal each from Titus Moss and Jonah Suchovsky, while Nathan Moss notched eight saves to help secure the victory.

Other quarterfinal matches that evening saw No. 2 West Coast Surf Shop earn a 2-0 victory over the Gitt Team-KW on the Water behind a pair of goals from Lucas Urbiola.

The last quarterfinal match of the night saw No. 6 GI Bins outscore No. 3 Flip Flop Shop & Candy Stop behind three goals from Finn Viehman and two goals from Joshua Bratnichen. Everett Bouziane completed the scoring with one goal in the victory.

Mason Stein scored two goals for Flip Flop Stop & Candy Stop in the loss.

Semifinal action May 26 opened with West Coast Surf Shop cruising past GI Bins by a 4-1 score. Lucas Urbiola led the way with two goals, while Kierstyn Darak and Bryer Lamb each finished with one goal.

Finn Viehman paced GI Bins with one goal, while Joshua Bratnichen and Ryker Hoogewind combined to make 13 saves in the loss.

The second semifinal match of the night saw Isola Bella earn a 2-1 upset victory over No. 1 AMI Rental Cars. Cooper Patel and Harbor Enander each scored one goal and Nathan Moss helped secure the victory with five saves.

Judah Treworgy notched the lone goal for AMI Car Rentals, which also received three saves from Vivianna Harwood in the loss.

The 8-10 championship game May 28 saw Isola Bella Italian Eatery continue upsetting the apple cart as they outscored No. 1 seed West Coast Surf Shop 4-2 to win the 8-10 division championship.

Harbor Enander and Titus Moss scored two goals each and Nathan Moss made seven saves to help close out the victory.

Bryer Lamb and Lucas Urbiola each scored one goal to lead West Coast Surf Shop, which also received a combined six saves from goalies Liam Urbiola and Kierstyn Dark in the loss.

The 11-13 playoffs began May 21 with La Creperie eliminating No. 1 Print Wizards 4-3 in a penaltykick shootout with the remainder of the night’s games

8-10 Champs Isola Bella Italian Eatery

Finn Bryant, Harbor enander, Bayla Lance, Titus Moss, nathan Moss, Cooper Patel, Jonah Suchovsky, Conor Whaley and Coach David Moss. Islander Photos: Courtesy CofAMI.

rained out.

The second semifinal match played May 25 saw No. 3 Moss Builders eliminate No. 2 Solid Rock Construction with a 4-2 victory. Joseph Caballero had a huge game for Moss, finishing with two goals, an assist and five saves in goal. Colten DeBerry added a goal and Luca Viehman finished with four saves in the win.

Callin Westfall led Solid Rock Construction with two goals and Elijah Roadman finished with six saves in the loss.

The May 26 championship match saw Moss Builders hold on for a 5-4 victory over La Creperie behind two goals and six saves from Luca Viehman. Colten DeBerry and Joseph Caballero each added a goal for Moss in the victory.

Tristan Hagey scored three goals and Louis Bacon added a goal for La Creperie, which also received eight saves from Everett Hood in the loss.

The three-team 14-17 division playoffs got started May 26 with No. 2 seed Solid Rock Construction defeating No. 3 Print Wizards 4-1 behind three goals from Ryk Kesten and a goal from Maggie Niedzwick. Jordan Tobey finished with three saves in the victory.

Parker Svoboda notched the lone goal for Print Wizards on an assist from Chase Castagna, while Austin Guess finished with five saves in the loss.

The championship match followed and Solid Rock outscored Kesten Concrete Co. 4-3 to take the cup for the 14-17s. Ryk Kesten led the way with three goals for Solid Rock, which also received a goal from Isaac Roadman, two assists from Callin Westfall and four

Solid Rock Construction, 14-17 champs

Ryk Kesten, Madeline Kimmons, Maggie niedzwick, Isaac Roadman, Obadiah Roadman, Mia Ross, Jordan Tobey, Callin Westfall, Will Lemmons and coach James Roadman.

saves from Jordan Tobey in the victory.

Renan Kesten scored two goals and Luca Viehman added one goal for Kesten Concrete Co., which also received eight saves from Cyrus Ryan in the loss.

KRC golf news

Golf action at the Key Royale Club, 700 Key Royale Drive, Holmes Beach, kicked off May 25 with the club’s annual Memorial Day Scramble. Fifty-five golfers participated in the event, which concluded with two teams tied for first place.

The team of Amy and Joseph Quinn, Nathalie Brotchi and Alain Vertandig matched the 4-under-par carded by Rene Chapman, Beth Hanna, Steve Martins and Jim Bailey.

Also in the prize categories were long-drive winners Ken Nagengast, Charlie Porter and Rene Chapman. Quentin Talbert took the closest-to-the-pin prize and Nelson Eagle won “longest-made first putt.”

The women played their weekly nine-hole individual-low-net match May 26. Sue Christensen took first place with a 2-under-par 30, two strokes better than second-place finishers Roxanne Koche and Debi Wohlers.

Horseshoe news

Two teams emerged from pool play with the requisite 3-0 record and settled things in a playoff during May 27 horseshoe action at the Anna Maria City Hall horseshoe pits, 10005 Gulf Drive.

Jay Disbrow and Tom Farrington cruised to a 22-8 victory over Neil Hennessey and Gary Howcroft to earn the day’s bragging rights.

Three teams advanced to the knockout stage at the May 30 games. Howcroft and Tim Sofran drew the lucky bye and watched as Billy Silver strolled past Farrington and Gersey Fernandes 22-8. The HowcroftSofran team took advantage of the free pass to the finals by defeating Silver 21-13.

Play gets under way in Anna Maria at 9 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays at the city hall pits. Warmups begin at 8:45 a.m., followed by random team selection.

Play is free and all are welcome.

11-13 champs Moss Builders

Joseph Caballero, Brian Castro Calles, Colten DeBerry, Titus Moss, Abigail Moss, Juliana Mueller, Kellen Oelfke, Leo Tyler, Luca Viehman and coach David Moss.

Keeping hatchlings on course

By Lisa Neff

Warm waters, intense storms

The morning the federal government released its forecast for the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, I found people on a prediction market app betting on what would happen during the news conference.

neff

People bet on whether El Nino would be cited as a factor in the forecast. The answer was yes.

People bet on whether forecasters would predict a below normal season. They did.

People bet on questions about the number of tropical storms and hurricanes. I guess that money will be tied up until Nov. 30.

And people bet on whether there would be any mention from the feds about climate change. There was not.

In the news conference, National Weather Service director Ken Graham said the Atlantic season is expected to be below normal due to competing factors: El Nino is expected to develop and intensify during the season, while ocean temperatures in the Atlantic are expected to be slightly warmer than normal and trade winds are likely weaker than average. El Nino conditions support less tropical storms and hurricanes, while warmer ocean temperatures and low winds support a more active year.

But Graham did not talk about the reason for warming oceans. Nor did he talk about sea level rise’s impact on storm surge.

The folks at Covering Climate Now and Climate Central anticipated a lack of discussion about climate change’s role in fueling stronger storms.

So, the day before the news conference, the groups connected journalists with meteorologists and scientists to provide “a more complete picture of the factors, both natural and human-caused, influencing this hurricane season.”

Some takeaways from the tutorial to bring into a conversation about this storm season:

• Climate change is not creating hurricanes, but it is supercharging them, with more intense winds, heavier rain and greater flooding.

• About 90% of the excess heat trapped by greenhouse gas pollution has gone directly into the oceans.

“That’s the way the Earth tries to keep our atmo-

The Islander newspaper is FREE at Publix Holmes Beach. Just stop by the customer service desk, hold out your hand and say, “Islander, please!” And maybe remind staff you’d like the serve-yourself community news returned to the lobby.

sphere in balance — by absorbing that carbon — and we’ve kind of pushed it to the limit,” said Climate Central meteorologist Shel Winkley. “We can see the fingerprint of climate change on those ocean waters. … That’s charging these heat-engine storms and releasing that energy as they spin in the form of wind.”

• As of late May, global sea surface temperatures were running near the record levels of ocean heat experienced in 2024.

“We’ve experienced time and again: Atlantic hurricanes are getting more intense and, when they do hit land, they bring heavier rainfall and usually bigger wind along with them,” Winkley said.

Ocean waters are “about 2° F on average warmer than they would have been in a world without climate change,” said meteorologist Daniel Gilford of Climate Central. “And that can lead to very, very big increases in the upper bound of the intensity for these storms.”

• The rapid intensification of hurricanes isn’t new but we’re seeing more “extreme” rapid intensification and an increasing number of tropical systems undergoing rapid intensifi cation. Research indicates that warmer sea surface temperatures can contribute to rapid intensification.

County offers storm prep tour

Manatee County Emergency Management will host a hurricane preparedness presentation and guided tour of its emergency operations center, 2101 47th Terrace E., Bradenton, at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 13.

The session is open to the public and will cover how to build an emergency plan, what to stock in a disaster supply kit, how the county coordinates storm response and what local resources are available to residents and families.

Registration is required.

For more information, go to mymanatee.org or call 941-749-3500.

— Lisa neff

“These high-end intensification events can be particularly dangerous,” Winkley said.

2025’s Melissa underwent rapid intensification.

2024’s Helene underwent rapid intensification.

“I think the biggest one that a lot of us will remember,” Winkley said, was that “Hurricane Milton underwent just a bonkers intensification there in the western and southern portions of the Gulf of Mexico.”

I remember.

You probably remember.

And, though there’s a forecast for a below average season, we’re probably not feeling relieved.

“We have to stay vigilant,” Gilford said. “Despite the fact that there’s an El Nino here, if one of these storms sees those warm waters and starts to get going because shear is somewhat quiet, we could have rapidly intensifying storms. It’s something to pay attention to.”

Ocean Day celebration June 6

Manatee County’s Natural Resources Department will host a free, family-friendly World Ocean Day event 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 6, at the NEST at Robinson Preserve in Bradenton.

Tickets are available at events.humanitix.com/ world-ocean-day-2026/tickets.

The NEST is at 840 99th St. NW, Bradenton.

Perico Preserve gains grant

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission awarded Manatee County two grants totaling $30,000 to support conservation at Perico and Duette preserves for the gopher tortoise.

The funding is for invasive plant control and native plantings designed to improve habitat conditions for the imperiled species.

Perico is at 11700 Manatee Ave. W., Perico Island. Duette Preserve is at 2649 Rawls Road, Duette.

— Lisa neff

Rainy season begins with inshore migration of snook, reds, trout

By Capt. Danny Stasny Islander Reporter

Anna Maria Island anglers are adapting to the beginning of the rainy season.

They are migrating toward the Manatee River outfall as the popular trio of snook, redfish and trout move into Anna Maria Sound due to falling salinity levels in the river.

Heavy thunderstorms, which can produce several inches of rain, cause fish to head west, out of the river as freshwater flows from Lake Manatee. This can result in some great fishing if you know where to look.

Until recently we were experiencing dry conditions, lowering salinity levels in the river, resulting in many fish staging in the river, where bait was plentiful. Now that the water is more brackish, the bait is moving out, with predatory fish right behind it.

Areas like Terra Ceia Bay, Emerson Point and De Soto Point are where fish will be staging, yielding large concentrations of the flats fish that we all like to target.

Swift outgoing tides are probably best as ambush predators like snook and trout stage around points, oyster bars and mangroves waiting for a meal to drift by them.

Casting live shiners in these areas can be productive, but don’t rule out artificials. Soft plastics on a jighead or suspending twitch baits can be deadly, too.

And, as bait flushes out of the river, keep an eye out for ladyfish and jack crevalle crashing through the schools of bait, which can lead to some sizzling action on light spinning gear.

Tarpon also can be found in these areas as they are moving out of the river toward the beaches. They can’t resist stopping off for a free meal.

And, speaking of tarpon, their numbers are increasing. Most action is occurring around the passes and the beaches adjacent to the beach-bay flow.

Evening, outgoing tides are good, but strong currents are flushing pass crabs into the Gulf, triggering a feeding frenzy with hungry tarpon.

Remember, if you’re fishing “the drift,” try to stay in line in an orderly fashion, so everyone gets an opportunity to cast at the fish.

If you don’t know the protocol, take a few minutes to sit on the sidelines and watch what’s happening. Don’t be the one who’s cutting in line.

Although it’s hard to imagine for some folks, there is a protocol to fishing the passes.

If you goof up, there will be someone there to educate you and the lesson may not be conducted in the friendliest manner.

On my Just Reel fishing charters, I’m finding great

Knox Busse, 8, of Shiloh, Illinois, gets some help from his dad, Blake, to show off a 28-inch snook he caught and released May 28 while on a guided fishing trip with Capt. Danny Stasny of Just Reel Fishing Charters. Good job little buddy!

action on spotted seatrout while bouncing from one flat to another in Sarasota Bay. This bay has a reputation for great trout fishing and it’s living up to it right now. Deeper flats are holding plenty of trout 14-16 inches as shallower flats are yielding fish up to 24 inches.

Catch-and-release snook fishing is good throughout our region, especially around the passes and mangrove shorelines where clean water and good tidal flow exists. Most snook catches are 20-30 inches, with some larger examples mixed in.

As for redfish, I’m seeing my clients reel them in while snook fishing, especially where oyster bars exist. Most catches are in the slot of 18-27 inches. A good addition to the cooler.

Capt. David White is targeting tarpon in the passes of Bean Point and Longboat and Egmont keys.

During the morning tides, threadfin herring as bait is leading to quite a few hookups on fish 80-100 pounds. White says casting threadfins around the bridges also is yielding results.

During afternoon and evening outgoing tides, White switches to live crabs as bait to satisfy the tarpon’s tastes.

“The drift” at Egmont Key is producing the best action on the outgoing tides and some larger examples of silver kings with fish in the 150-pound range on the hook. And, White says, most tarpon trips are seeing four to six hookups on average, while evening tides

Tournament honors captain

The Center of Anna Maria Island will host the first annual Full Send Fishing Tournament — Capt. Jason Stock Memorial June 26–28, with registration and additional details at centerami.org/events.

The event was created to honor the late captain’s legacy and love of the water and features divisions for anglers of all experience levels.

For more information, call the center at 941-7781908.

— Lisa neff

produce even better odds.

Capt. Johnny Mattay is finding good action for his clients by fishing the flats of Sarasota Bay for redfish. Whether locating schools on open flats or finding smaller groups of fish along the mangroves, Mattay is keeping his anglers busy. Schooling reds produce consistent hookups with many trips yielding doubles and triples on the boat.

These fish tend to be larger, with averages of 28-32 inches. Slot-size fish of 18-27 inches are being found in the mangroves, requiring slightly more patience than the instant gratification that comes from casting into a large school of reds.

Catch-and-release snook fishing also is providing good action for Mattay. Fishing along the sandy beaches is yielding hookups on snook 20-26 inches. Larger fish are mixed in for lucky anglers.

Catch-and-release snook also are connecting on the grass flats with live shiners cast against the mangrove shorelines.

Moving out to deeper flats and open water is supplying Mattay’s charters with plenty of action on spotted seatrout during morning, incoming tides. Fish of all sizes are being caught.

Lastly, Mattay is patrolling the Gulf beaches and passes for tarpon. Live or dead threadfin herring are giving anglers action on fish 80-100 pounds. On evening tides, switching to pass crabs as bait is a good bet with slightly larger fish being caught.

Send high-resolution photos and fishing reports to fish@islander.org.

into the summer Bradenton Beach Police Chief John Cosby, left, joins u.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary staff officer Craig Owens May 19 for national Safe Boating Week and to promote life jacket use, boating safety education and free vessel safety inspections. national Safe Boating Week was May 16-22. Islander Photo: Robert Anderson

Volatile market puts the pinch on stone crab season

By Robert Anderson Islander Reporter

The 2025-26 stone crab season was marked by strong harvests but shaky prices.

Cortez seafood wholesaler Karen Bell said the season, which runs Oct. 15-May 1, produced plenty of product but not enough stable demand.

“Production was good, but the market wasn’t good,” said Bell, owner of A.P. Bell Fish Co. in Cortez. “The market was super volatile, really high, really low.”

She attributed much of the instability to the fallout from a federal price-fixing case involving several seafood dealers.

Federal indictments targeted five Florida seafood houses, accusing them of price-fixing and antitrust violations. Because the companies were among the state’s largest stone crab buyers, many wholesalers and crabbers were left scrambling to adjust to shifting markets and pricing.

“It just really hurt,” Bell said. “We lost a lot of the market.”

According to Bell, holiday demand around Thanksgiving and Christmas remained strong, as consumers continued buying stone crab claws for gatherings and gift meals. But by late winter and spring, supply began outpacing demand.

“February through April, they moved a little bit because that’s tourist demand, but there were just too many crabs and not enough demand at the price,” she said.

Bell said she froze significant amounts of product, something she prefers to avoid. Freezing claws allows wholesalers to hold unsold inventory, though frozen claws typically bring lower prices and less demand.

The season also brought pricing challenges for dealers trying to remain competitive while paying local crabbers fairly. Bell said some buyers to the south were paying $4-$5 less per pound than her operation.

“I was trying to keep the price up there for the crabbers,” Bell said. “But I can’t sell them for $5 more a pound than everybody else is getting.”

The season contrasted sharply with 2024-25, when hurricanes Helene and Milton disrupted operations across the region. Bell said many crabbers last year were focused on repairing boats, replacing traps and

Lucky Frog has new owner

Bradenton’s Lucky Frog restaurant has new ownership and a revamped menu, with a German-born entrepreneur bringing a customizable European street food concept to the local dining scene.

Maria Medja took over Lucky Frog German & European Street Food, 4625 Cortez Road W., about six months ago, adding a build-your-own schnitzel option alongside the restaurant’s European comfort foods. Lucky Frog can be reached at 941-795-2132. The website is lucky-frog.com.

— Lisa neff

recovering from storm damage rather than fully harvesting the fishery.

This year, however, the issue was not supply.

“It was a good harvest year,” Bell said. “It was just not a good market year.”

Thursday, June 4

Coastal boutique opens on Pine Ave.

The Gilded Fisherman, a new boutique in a historic Sears cottage at 505 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, offers art, furnishings, handcrafted pieces and coastal decor inspired by island living. Owner Julie Rhine, an interior designer with more than 30 years’ experience, draws inspiration from coastal towns and fishing villages around the world, blending artisanship, comfort and relaxed living. Customers will find ceramics, textiles, lighting and other select pieces meant to bring warmth and character to a home. Rhine also plans to host artist popups, design-inspired events and design services. “The goal was to create a space that feels beautiful, comfortable and welcoming,” Rhine said. “A place where people can slow down, look around and find something meaningful.” The store is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. For more information, call 941-213-9120. Islander Photo: Lisa e Hlywa

THIS WEEK

8 a.m. — Anna Maria Island CofC breakfast mixer, Wicked Cantina, 101 Seventh St. N., Bradenton Beach. Fee applies. Info: memberservices@amichamber.org, 941-778-1541.

Friday, June 5

5-7 p.m. – AMI chamber retirement party for Terri Kinder, Swordfish Grill, 4628 119th St. W., Cortez. Info: memberservices@ amichamber.org, 941-778-1541.

SAVE THE DATES

• June 11, AMI CofC networking lunch, Izzy’s Place, Cortez. Send listings to calendar@islander.org

Business news Does your business celebrate achievements? Maybe your staff deserves kudos. Submit information to news@ islander.org.

The Island Experts Since 1972

ITEMS FOR SALE

LARGe BIRDCAGe, $75, 16-inch Margaritaville clock, $25, new Swiss army knife, $25. 941-592-7764.

W e B e R BARB e Q ue GRILL: cover, tools included, $100, large bird cage, accommodates small birds, $85. 941-592-7764.

BLACK AnD ReD roll suitcases, $20 each, black handbag, carry on, $25, Tigerxbang oar/paddle for outdoors, $20. 941-9202494.

AnTIQue PARTneR DeSK: All wood, $500. Inquire at 941-778-7978.

FREEBIE ITEMS FOR SALE

Individuals may place one free ad with up to three items, each priced $100 or less, 15 words or less. FR ee , one week, must be submitted online. email classifieds@islander. org. (limited time offer).

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LOOKI n G FOR FRA n K from Island Print? He’s available by call or text 941-704-8108. e mail frankhtc.fw@gmail. com

LOST & FOUND

LOST: TACKLeBOX AT Bridge St on May 17. Green/Beige Plano 3 tray. Reward. 806-3409165.

TRANSPORTATION

GOLF CART R en TALS: Fun for residents and tourists! 941-213-5730. www.annamariacartrentals.com

BOATS & BOATING

HAVe A BOAT and wanna catch more fish, better bait or learn the water? 50-year local fisherman, your boat, my knowledge. Captain Chris, 941-896-2915.

S un COAST BOTTOM PAI n TI n G: Professional bottom painting. Mobile. Call 941704-9382.

CAPTAIn FOR HIRe and boat caretaker services: If you need help with your boat on or off the water, call Captain Dan. u SCG, retired. 772-486-8085.

WeLCOMe ABOARD JOYFISH Charters for private fishing, sunset cruises, and dolphin watching. Check out joyfishcharters.com or follow us on Facebook. Call to reserve, 941840-3181.

PATHFI n D e R 1900/YAMAHA 115: Brand new continental trailer, Terrova trolling motor, PowerPole, Lowrance GPS, Fusion/JBL audio. Asking $28,900. 813-416-8629.

HELP WANTED

ACCO un TA n T/BOOKK ee P e R nee D e D: Looking for a part-time accountant/bookkeeper for a small HVAC company in Bradenton. Please, call Ty at 330-858-9094.

TH e ISLA n D e R IS looking for a sales rep to manage client advertising and connect with businesses looking to increase their bottom line by advertising in the newspaper. We’ve got 34 years of experience and results to share. email news@islander.org.

R e PORT e R WA n T e D: Full- to part-time. Print media, newspaper experience required. Apply via email with letter of interest to news@islander.org

KIDS FOR HIRE

KIDS FOR HIRe ads are FRee for up to three weeks for Island youths under 16 looking for work. Ads must be placed by email, send to classifieds@islander.org.

SERVICES

IS YOuR HOMe or office in need of some cleaning? Well, I’m your girl! Local, reliable, professional! Please, give me a call or text, 941-773 -0461.

CLeAnInG: VACATIOn, COnSTRuCTIOn, residential, commercial and windows. Licensed and insured. 941-756-4570.

PR e SS u R e WASHI n G, PAV e R sealing, driveway, roof, fence, pool area. Also, window cleaning. Licensed and insured. 941-5653931.

BICYCLe RePAIRS: Just4Fun at 5358 Gulf Drive can do most any bicycle repair at a reasonable cost. Pick-up and delivery available. 941-896-7884.

API’S DRYWALL RePAIR: I look forward to servicing your drywall repair needs. Call 941524-8067 to schedule an appointment.

PC OR T e CH issues? n ot sure where to start? With years of experience, I’ll come to you with reliable solutions. Contact Gavin at 928-587-1309. www.gse.codes

SARASOTA PAInTInG: InTeRIOR/exterior/ cabinets: Call or text Don, 941-900-9398. Free estimates. Fully insured, twenty years’ experience.

RIDeeASY 247 YOuR professional, reliable and courteous car service to airports and events since 2015. You can reach us via text 941-447-7737 or email to mrfort5001@gmail. com We are available 24/7.

LOOK n O MOR e ! Residential, vacation rental and commercial cleaning. Give us a call, 941-250-8548.

OuR SeRVICeS: CLeAnInG, home repairs, tile, concrete, remodeling, decks, steps, flooring, water drainage solutions, rental 24-hour services. Hurricane shutters and pre-storm service. n ew, low-cost generator and insulation (starts and runs on propane when power off). no permits needed. Islander, over 40 years here! Call 941-4049163.

IS YOuR POOL deck, driveway, or garage floor looking worn out and dated? Bring them back to life with our top-tier resurfacing services! Services offered: Pool deck resurfacing, Slip-resistant, cool-to-the-touch finishes that enhance safety and aesthetics. Driveway resurfacing, durable surfaces that stand up to heavy traffic and harsh weather. Garage floor resurfacing, easy-to-clean, stain-resistant surfaces that look great and perform even better. Don’t wait! Transform your spaces today with our trusted resurfacing services. Contact us now for a free consultation and estimate. Call u Plus Me LLC at 727-6235050 or visit u-plus-me.com

GOT DIRTY WI n DOWS? Free estimates/ insured. Five-star customer service rating. “We want to earn your business. Downeast Window Cleaning, 207-852-6163.

ACHA u FF e R4 u FOR TRA n SPORTATIO n anywhere in Florida. Properly insured and over 40 years in Bradenton. Dennis, 941812-5930.

OneCALL CLeAnuP. Junk removal, water damage, and more. Fast, reliable service. Call, 941-544-1260.

SERVICES Continued

LOOKInG FOR SOMeOne who needs me: Clean, house-sit. I can cook, make sandwiches. I can do anything you can do but better! I can run to the grocery store for you. I can walk pets or go out to lunch with you. Looking for a part-time job caregiving companion, I am your right arm! I love people and I love helping others. I have references and I’m reliable and dependable. My name is Dena Gray a.k.a. Sparkles! 941-524-2234.

HOMe WATCHeR: WHen you can’t be at home, I’ll watch your home and send video of my inspection. I’m a State Certified Residential Appraiser with background check. 317-997-4056.

AMI AIRPORT SHuTTLe Guy: We pick up from Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota airports. up to seven passengers with luggage Reliable, Licensed and friendly transportation to and from Anna Maria Island. AMIShuttle. com. 941-500-3388.

CLeAnInG SeRVICeS: Ten-plus years’ experience. Professional, prompt with a flexible schedule. Contact Jessica, 941-900-8051.

WALLPAPeR InSTALLATIOn BY Wizard of Walls, Mary Winegarden. established in 1980. Prompt, quality service. 941-794-0455 or 919-628-3821.

BuSIneSS-TO-BuSIneSS JD’s Window Cleaning looking for storefront jobs in Holmes Beach. I make dirty windows sparkling clean. 941-920-3840.

BeACH SeRVICe air conditioning, heat, refrigeration. Commercial and residential service, repair and/or replacement. Serving Manatee County and the Island since 1987. For dependable, honest and personalized service, call Bill eller, 941-7207411. Residential, call nate, 941-524-2248. CAC184228.

CLeAn TeCH MOBILe Detailing. At your location. Cars, boats, RVs. Call or text Billie for an appointment. 941-592-3482.

LAWN & GARDEN

COLLInS LAnDSCAPe LIGHTInG: Outdoor lighting, landscaping, irrigation services and maintenance. 941-279-9947. MJC24373@ gmail.com

SHeLL DeLIVeReD AnD spread. Hauling all kinds of gravel, mulch, topsoil with free estimates. Call Larry at 941-795-7775, or “shell phone” 941-720-0770.

HOME IMPROVEMENT

VAn-GO PAInTInG residential/commercial, interior/exterior, pressure cleaning, wallpaper. Island references. Bill, 941-795-5100. www.vangopainting.net.

GRIFFIn’S HOMe IMPROVeMenTS Inc. Handyman, fine woodwork, countertops, cabinets and wood flooring. Insured and licensed. 941-722-8792.

LOOKInG FOR AnY home improvement?

JRCC Home Improvement, handyman service can get the job done. Please, contact us at 413-246-2410. We would love to help.

ISLAnDeR

HOME IMPROVEMENT Continued

TILe-TILe-TILe: All variations of ceramic tile supplied and installed. Quality workmanship, prompt, reliable, many Island references. Call Ashdown Flooring, 941-726-3077.

DOnALD PeRKInS PAInTInG LLC. Interior/exterior/pressure washing. Island references. dperkinspaint@hotmail.com. 941705-7096.

GORILLA DRYWALL RePAIR LLC. Let’s solve your drywall problems together. Give us a call at 941-286-0607.

Queen Bee PAInTInG: “We Do It Royally.” Interior/exterior painting and pressure washing, pool decks, garage floors, cabinets, popcorn ceiling and wallpaper removal, drywall, door and trim install and repair, window cleaning. Sheryl, 864-884-3380.

TeTI TILe: 40 years’ experience in Delaware, now on AMI and surrounds. Tile, marble, murals. Free estimates. Call John Teti, 302983-5774.

TRue TOne PAInTInG: Painting, power washing, epoxy floors. 941-224-4020.

SCReen RePAIR: WInDOW screens, frame replacement, screen doors, patios, and lanais. Will pick up and deliver window frames. Call Kent, 941-577-2236. Manatee Home Screening.

CALL HYDRO CLeAn. Full-service pressure washing, sealing. Pavers, travertine and natural stone. Window washing too, up to three stories. Call Jacob, 941-920-2094.

ISLAnD HAnDYMAn: I live here, work here, value your referral. Refinish, paint. Just ask. JayPros. Licensed/insured. References. Call Jay, 941-962-2874.

RENTALS

AnnA MARIA GuLF beachfront vacation rentals. One- two- and three-bedroom units, all beachfront. www.amiparadise.com. 941778-3143.

AVAILABLe nOW AnD season: 1BR/1BA, seven-night minimum. carlesvacationrentals. com. Special rates are available. 941-8071405.

PeRICO ISLAnD PATIO home: 3BR/2BA, privacy wall/gate, two-car garage, single floor, high ceilings, screened lanai. Call or text Alison, 859-771-6423.

AnnuAL RenTALS AVAILABLe: Off Island: One Particular Harbour, 3BR/3BA furnished condo. Lagoon views, covered parking. Country Club-style living, $5,000/month. Hidden Lake, 3BR/2BA furnished lakefront condo, $3,000/month. Other long-term furnished rentals are available. All areas. Applications, first, last and security required for all annual and long-term rentals. Call Wagner Realty, 941-778-2246.

MORe BAnG FOR YOuR BuCK? It’s an old saying, but it’s still true when it comes to The Islander. Look for more online at islander. org.

RENTALS Continued

AnnuAL RenTAL/BRADenTOn Beach. Furnished 2BR/1BA. Gulf to Bay Community. Includes WIFI, cable, water, weekly trash/ recycle. electric additional. $2,800/month. Rental availability is from July to December. Contact number, 617-462-0501.

LOOKInG FOR A long-term rental. Lost my rental during the hurricane. Older gentleman, quiet, looking for studio or room with private access on Anna Maria Island. I don’t need much room. Please text, email, or call. 843997-4721. dlbjella@gmail.com.

REAL ESTATE

WInnIe MCHALe, ReALTOR, 941-5046146. Dalton Wade Real estate. You need an aggressive and experienced Realtor in today’s market! Selling island homes, Sarasota and Bradenton areas. Multi-milliondollar producer! “Selling Homes - Making Dreams Come True.”