The Anna Maria Islander

A pair of beachgoers enjoy the water July 22 near the base of the Anna Maria City Pier, where Tampa Bay Marine has finished installing kebony decking across the top of the new walkway. Public works general manager Dean Jones said at a July 23 city commission meeting that the wood would be sealed twice before protective matting is placed on top to protect it while remediation and demolition work is done on the T-end. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy / Reporting Ryan Paice

The following letter is addressed to Manatee County commissioners regarding a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers permit application from Carlos Beruff for Longbar Pointe/Sea Spray project (formerly Aqua) resulting from the county eliminating wetland buffer policies. Commissioner Mike Rahn stated at the hearing that no wetlands would be impacted by your decision. Commissioner Amanda Ballard was concerned about unintended consequences.

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By June Alder From The Islander archives As I recall, I was the only reporter in The Islander office Aug. 1, 1980, when someone yelled at me to pick up my phone. My mother was calling. Her voice was odd, whispery and urgent. “I’m down here at Foodway. There’s been an accident or something — a man’s been hurt.” I grabbed my camera and jumped in my car. It took me less than five minutes to round the bend at the Manatee Public Beach. That’s when I saw people milling around near Kingfish Boat Ramp.

What’s the most urgent environmental threat facing Anna Maria Island? Beach erosion and rising sea levels. Water quality, including algae blooms. Tree loss and destruction. Plastic and litter pollution. View Results Last week’s question Which social platform do you use most? None. 42% Facebook. 35% Instagram. 13% X. 3% TikTok. 3% Other. 3% Total Voters:110 To suggest a poll question, email lisa@islander.org.

Erica Johnson of Bradenton captured this September 2025 photo of a waterspout in Tampa Bay near the Anna Maria City Pier, 100 S. Bay Blvd. Johnson, who has worked on AMI for 12 years, said, “This is my favorite photo spot.” She is the third weekly winner in The Islander’s 2026 Top Notch photo contest. There will be three more winners taking Page 1 placement in the newspaper.

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Anna Maria city clerk Amber LaRowe announced at a July 23 city commission meeting that New York-based WSP USA was finished with a draft map for parking changes across the municipality. The city hired WSP in April to complete a parking study, which the contractor has spent eight weeks on, according to LaRowe. She said she meets weekly with WSP staff and they had recently reviewed a draft map “with significantly reduced” parking.

An 11-year-old child was airlifted after a near-drowning July 25 at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Holmes Beach police, West Manatee Fire Rescue and Manatee County Emergency Medical Services responded at 7:38 a.m. to a report of a possible drowning. HBPD Chief William Tokajer said the child apparently suffered a seizure while swimming.