Girl Scout’s project aids turtles, beachgoers
Making a good start at AME
Cities losing authority to regulate artificial turf lawns
A new law preempts artificial turf regulation to the state, taking those home rule rights away from Florida cities.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT
| jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – The city’s ability to prohibit artificial turf in front lawns and require artificial turf permits will soon be eliminated by a new state law. The law was created by the Florida Legislature’s adoption of Senate Bill 712 and House Bill 683. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the legislation into law in June and the new state law will take full effect when the Florida Department of Environmental (FDEP) adopts the specific rules and regulations that local governments must follow.
Zoe Lander devised a beach toy sharing concept that reduces beach pollution and benefits sea turtle hatchings.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Intended to reduce beach debris and assist sea turtle hatchlings, the new “beach toy borrow box” at the 68th Street beach access is the work of 16-year-old Girl Scout, Lakewood Ranch resident and frequent Holmes Beach visitor Zoe Lander.
When embarking on the Gold Award project that earned her the prestigious Gold Award Girl Scout status on Aug. 5, Lander’s goal was to help prevent discarded beach toys from polluting the beach and making it more difficult for sea turtle hatchlings to make their way to the Gulf of Mexico waters, while SEE GIRL SCOUT, PAGE 21
According to Florida Statute 125.572, “synthetic turf means a manufactured product that resembles natural grass and is used as a surface for landscaping and recreational areas.”
The new law requires the FDEP to adopt minimum standards for the installation of synthetic turf on single-family residential properties 1 acre or less in size. The standards must take into account material type, color, permeability, stormwater management, potable water conservation, water quality, proximity to trees and other vegetation and other factors impacting environmental conditions of adjacent properties.
Upon FDEP adoption of the state’s new synthetic turf rules, a local government may not: CRA members discuss 2025-26
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Community Redevelopment Agency members discussed the proposed 2025-26 budget of $2,231,070 at a work meeting on Aug. 6 in preparation for the next steps in the budget process - two public hearings before final approval.
City Treasurer Shayne Thompson introduced the proposed budget.
“We carried some things forward that were in last year’s budget, for example, some undergrounding and pavers,” he said. “Beyond that, it’s kind of placeholders for the projects to come.”
CRA Vice Chair Ralph Cole said he would like to see the undergrounding projects continue.
Thompson said $300,000 for undergrounding from the previous year’s budget was carried forward.
budget
“I don’t want to say placeholder values can change, but direction can change, priorities can change, so what’s in the budget doesn’t necessarily mean it has to stay where it is,” Thompson said.
“If during the course of the year, let’s say, for example, undergrounding isn’t something we can accomplish, those funds can remain for a future time or be reallocated to a new priority project.” Thompson said some projects such as pier improvements became tied to the storms and were funded differently.
“Do we still have to allocate all that money 100% each year?” Cole asked.
“We have to demonstrate the need to use the funds,” Thompson said.
“This budget does that.”
Police Chief and Public Works Director John Cosby outlined some proposed projects in the CRA district, particularly on Bridge Street.
CRA, PAGE 23
ANNE YARBROUGH | SUBMITTED
From left, Kirra Taylor, Daphne Sanger and Elle Blackburn (5th grade) walk to school together on the first day of Anna Maria Elementary School on Monday, followed by PE teacher Coach Terry Ruise. Inset: Lyndie Parks with her son, Cairo (2nd grade), and daughter, Sadie (1st grade), on their first day of school at AME, were greeted by Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, left.
Sun staffers earn first place awards
Two Anna Maria Island Sun staffers brought home first place awards in the 2025 Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest.
Steve Borggren won first place in the Original Local Editorial Cartoon category for “Fill in the Holes,” about protecting sea turtles on the beach.
Reporter Joe Hendricks won first place in the Editorial category for “Palm trees and other shady endeavors,” about the city of Bradenton Beach’s agreement with local developer Shawn Kaleta on several projects, including planting palms along Bridge Street that kept falling over.
https://amisun.com/editorial-palmtrees-and-other-shady-endeavors/ Borggren also won second place in the Original Local Editorial Cartoon category for “Signs,” about excessive road signs in a construction zone that affected local business access.
The awards were made at the Florida Media Conference on Aug. 1 at the Sunseeker Resort in Charlotte Harbor.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Holmes Beach clarifying dock, mooring regulations
The proposed ordinance complies with the hurricanerelated building code restrictions imposed by a new state law created by Senate Bill 180.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Director of Development Services Chad Minor presented planning commissioners with a draft version of a new docking and mooring ordinance to review during their Aug. 6 meeting.
When presenting the first draft of proposed Ordinance 25-06, Minor said, “Before you today is a completely new draft of the ordinance. We’ve essentially taken the existing dock code and ripped it apart and put it back together again – much like we did with the sign code, the fence code, the pool code. We essentially deleted everything and started over fresh using some of the concepts in the original code, but making it more readable,” Minor said.
Minor said it’s been challenging for the current city staff, and previous city staffs, to administer the dock ordinance as currently written.
“It’s time to address some of the deficiencies our current code has and create a comprehensive ordinance that addresses not just one of the dock scenarios in the city, but all of the docking scenarios in the city. We have quite a few,” he said.
Minor said many provisions included in the draft ordinance were taken from the city’s existing dock and mooring regulations
IN BRIEF
and some were inspired by regulations in effect in the city of Marco Island.
“There’s some really good provisions in here that aren’t in violation of Senate Bill 180. We’re not making things more restrictive. This is just clarifying our standards,” Minor said in reference to a new state law created by the Florida Legislature earlier this year that prohibits hurricane-impacted local governments from enacting more restrictive or burdensome building regulations.
Going page by page, Minor guided Planning Commission Chairperson Gale Tedhams and attending planning commissioners Richard Brown, Tom Costantini, Jim McIntyre and Lisa Pierce through the first draft of the proposed 21-page ordinance that will be subject to additional planning commission and city commission reviews before being presented to city commissioners for final adoption.
Sec. 66-112 of the draft ordinance includes definitions for access dock, boat lift, dock, live-aboard vessel, main access dock, mooring area, personal watercraft, riparian rights, shoreline, shared dock, terminal platform, vessel, watercraft, wet slip and more.
According to Sec. 66-113, “Docks, boat lifts and mooring facilities shall be permitted as an accessory use on any waterway lot for which the boat dock facility is customary and incidental to the proposed use of the property.”
According to Sec. 66-116, “A city building permit must be obtained prior to the construction, installa-
Commercial beach activities, Waste Management on agenda
The Anna Maria City Commission will meet on Thursday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. After general public comment on non-agenda items, the commission will be asked to approve in a single action the consent agenda that includes the extension of
Many Holmes Beach homes feature docks alongside residential canals.
tion, modification or replacement of any boat docking facility.”
Sec. 66-117 specifies that an existing docking facility, pier, piling or private slip deemed unsafe by the building official shall be posted as unsafe for use and the user will be notified and given a reasonable time to bring the unsafe conditions into compliance.
According to Sec. 66-119, no vessel shall be docked or anchored adjacent to residential property in a manner that causes it to extend beyond the required setback lines; all docking facilities shall have coinciding house numbers at least 4 inches tall facing outward toward the water; docks in residential districts shall be used only for recreational, noncommercial activities; and no dock projecting into a waterway shall be more than 4 feet above the mean high-water line.
City code does not and will not allow boat houses or dock canopies.
The revised code will continue to limit the length of a dock to 60 feet unless otherwise permitted
ongoing, hurricane-related declarations of local emergency, a special event fee waiver request for the Anna Maria Elementary Fall Fest and the AMI Chamber of Commerce’s annual Bayfest, authorization for the mayor to sign an accounting services agreement, commission approval to appoint Don Buswell-Charkow to the Planning and Zoning Board and a $25,000 request from The Center of Anna Maria Island for fence and field sodding improvements.
The commission will discuss a variance request for two existing structures on the Paradise Found subdivision on Tuna Street. The mayor seeks commission
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and a dock with more than 500 square feet of total area requires FDEP approval.
For waterfront properties with more than 65 feet of shoreline frontage, Minor proposes reducing the current 25-foot setback requirement to 20 feet to make it less difficult to install a code-compliant platform, dock and boat lift in the allowed space. Minor proposed, and the planning commissioners support, allowing shared docks in the Seaside Gardens community where many properties feature duplexes built on small lots that may not provide enough space for two code-compliant separate docks.
The draft ordinance includes aerial photos that illustrate the different and unique docking scenarios that exist throughout the city, including docking in various residential canals and “dead-end canals” and docking at boat slips owned by the city and leased to boat owners.
authorization to execute a three-year holiday lighting agreement with Shellard Lighting Designs that lists an annual cost between $38,741 and $44,606. The mayor also seeks authorization from the commission for a $101,383 agreement with Best Home Protection to storm-harden city hall and to execute a hurricane/storm debris monitoring agreement with Debris Tech.
The commission will be asked to amend the city’s existing trash and recycling agreement with Waste Management in a manner that will provide mandatory sidedoor collection service for all residential properties and allow Waste Management
Minor said he’d make the minor changes proposed by the planning commissioners and bring the draft ordinance back for a second planning commission review on Wednesday, Sept. 3 at 3:30 p.m. The proposed ordinance will then be presented to city commissioners for their preliminary review during a commission work session.
SB 180
On Tuesday, Aug. 26, City Attorney Erica Augello is expected to provide city commissioners with a detailed overview of the potential consequences the city faces due to a new state law that applies for a one-year period to any municipality located entirely or partially within 100 miles of the track of a storm declared to be a hurricane by the National Hurricane Center.
During that one-year period, a local government may not propose or adopt a moratorium on construction, reconstruction or redevelopment of any property; may not propose or adopt a more restrictive or burdensome amendment to its comprehensive plan or land development regulations; and may not propose or adopt a more restrictive or burdensome procedure concerning review, approval or issuance of a site plan, development permit or development order.
Concerns have already been raised about the one-year restrictive period being extended for another year every time the city falls within a hurricane storm track, which has become a frequent occurrence in recent years.
to change its trash and recycling collection days from Mondays and Thursdays to Tuesdays and Fridays. The commission will be presented with the first reading of a grand tree ordinance and the first reading of a city employee background check ordinance.
The commission is scheduled to discuss commercial activities occurring on public beaches and the mayor will present the projected expenses included in the city’s proposed 2025-26 fiscal year budget. To attend the meeting by phone, with public comment allowed, call 1-929-205-6099 and enter the meeting ID: 85392000280.
Four members reappointed to TDC board
Hotel/resort operators Eric Cairns, Tony DeRusso, Jiten Patel and Rahul Patel have been reappointed to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC). Cairns manages the Cedar Cove Resort & Cottages in Holmes Beach. The reappointments were made during the Aug. 5 Manatee County Commission meeting. Each of the four members will serve additional two-year terms on the advisory board that provides non-binding recommendations to the county commission regarding proposed tourist development tax expenditures and other tourism-related matters. County Commissioner Amanda Ballard chairs the board joined by Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown, Holmes Beach City Commissioner Dan Diggins and county residents Norma Kennedy and Dave Wick. The county’s
6% tourist development tax levied on hotel, motel, resort and vacation rental stays of six months or less generated more than $30 million in tax revenues for the county last year. Tourist tax revenues are used to promote Anna Maria Island and Manatee County as a tourist destination. A percentage of the revenues are used for beach renourishment projects. Some of the revenues are used to operate the Gulf Islands Ferry service and some of the revenues are shared with the Anna Maria Island cities and the other municipalities in Manatee County for tourism-related projects and enhancements reviewed by the TDC members before being presented for county commission consideration. The TDC members meet next on Monday, Aug. 18 at The Center of Anna Maria Island in Anna Maria.
June 2025 tourist tax collections compared to June 2024
Trolley advertising agreement extended
Manatee County and the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce have extended for two more years the trolley advertising agreement first entered into in 2011 when the county appointed the chamber to operate the trolley advertising program, The paid ads placed on the MCAT buses help fund the free Island-wide trolley service provided to residents, employees and visitors. On Aug. 5, county commissioners approved the two-year extension that will begin on Oct. 1 and expire on Sept. 30, 2027. Each year, the AMI Chamber uses some of the trolley advertising revenues to provide grants to local organizations when naming the Chamber’s small, medium and large businesses of the year.
Manatee County’s 6% tourist development tax (resort tax) is collected from hotel, motel, resort, condo and other short-term vacation accommodations rented for six months or less.
The amounts shown were collected for June and paid to the Manatee County Tax Collector’s Office in July. A third of the tax revenues are spent on marketing the county as a tourist destination and almost 17% is spent on beach renourishment.
In Anna Maria, June tourist tax revenues increased from $555,168 in 2024 to $602,382 in 2025 – a $47,214 (8.5%) increase.
In Bradenton Beach, June tourist tax revenues decreased from $191,471 in 2024 to $151,536 in 2025 – a $39,935 (20.8%) decrease.
In Holmes Beach, June tourist tax revenues decreased from $981,256 in 2024 to $903,454 in 2025 – a $77,802 (7.92%) decrease.
In unincorporated Manatee County (the areas located outside of the six chartered municipalities), June tourist tax revenues increased from $1,106,962 in 2024 to $1,275,732 in 2025 – a $168,770 (15.2%) increase.
In Manatee County as a whole, June tourist tax revenues
increased from $3,367,843 in 2024 to $3,610,156 in 2025 – a $242,313 (7.19%) increase.
Tourist development taxes are also collected in Bradenton, Palmetto and the Manatee County portion of Longboat Key. The revenues are controlled by the Manatee County Commission and can be shared with local municipalities to help fund tourism-related projects and enhancements. To anonymously report a rental owner who may not be paying the tourist tax, call 941-741-4809 or visit the county’s tourist tax evader webpage at www. taxcollector.com/contact-tourist-tax-evader.cfm.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Ads placed on the MCAT trolleys help fund the Island’s free trolley service.
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
Owner | CEO
Mike Field
Editor
Cindy Lane
General Manager
Bob Alexander
Reporters | Photographers
Joe Hendricks
Leslie Lake
Columnists
Louise Bolger
Rusty Chinnis
Contributors
Steve Borggren
Capt. Rick Grassett
Layout Ricardo Fonseca
Advertising Director
Shona Otto
Classified Ads
Bob Alexander
Graphics
Elaine Stroili
Ricardo Fonseca
Distribution
Bob Alexander
Tony McNulty
Brian Smith
Accounting
Leslie Ketchum
Co-founding publishers
Mike Field
Maggie McGinley Field
Drop us a line
Got an opinion, a complaint or a compliment? Is there something you need to get off your chest? Send us a letter to the editor and have your say. There are a couple of ways to do it. The easiest and most direct is to email The Sun at news@amisun.com. Remember to put Letter to the Editor in the subject field. Or you can snail-mail
a letter to us at The Anna Maria Island Sun, P.O. Box 1189, Anna Maria, FL 34216. Letters should be kept to 300 words or less and must contain your name and the city in which you reside. Personal attacks and obscene language will not be printed. The Sun reserves the right to edit letters for length or content.
ON THE AGENDA
The Tournament
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ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE
FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.
Visit www.cityofannamaria.com or contact city hall for more information. Thursday, Aug. 14, 1 p.m., City Commission meeting Monday, Aug. 18, 1:30 p.m., Debris hauling RFP bid evaluation committee
Wednesday, Aug. 20, 9 a.m., Planning and Zoning Board meeting
Thursday, Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m., Community Redevelopment Agency meeting
Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information. No meetings scheduled
MANATEE COUNTY www.mymanatee.org
Monday, Aug. 18, 9 a.m., Manatee County Tourist Development Council meeting at The Center of Anna Maria Island, 407 Magnolia Ave., Anna Maria.
CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION EPISCOPAL CHURCH
4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Sunday service 9:15 a.m.
CROSSPOINTE FELLOWSHIP
512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, Sunday services 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH
8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Sunday service 9 a.m.
HARVEY
248 South Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, Masses: Saturday, 4 p.m.; Sunday 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.; Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND CHURCH SCHEDULES
Two water-related deaths reported off Anna Maria
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA – Two men died in separate water-related incidents off Anna Maria on Aug. 9, according to Sgt. Brett Getman, leader of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) Anna Maria Unit.
When contacted by The Sun on Aug. 11, Getman shared what details he could as authorized reports had not yet been released.
RESCUED MAN DIES NEXT DAY
“The rip current was so bad on Saturday, with the winds out of the east and the incoming tide,” Getman said. “We were on routine patrol, got flagged down and were told there were two people treading water off Bean Point. I radioed for the (MCSO) Marine Unit, the Coast Guard and Beach Patrol to respond.”
According to Getman, at approximately 10:35 a.m.,
a 45-year-old father and his 15-year-old son were throwing a football around in the water off Bean Point. The ball got away from the son and he went after it but couldn’t reach it. The son got caught in the rip current and swept around the corner of the point. The son was eventually able to get within about 25 yards of the shoreline and Getman was able to throw him a life ring and pull him ashore, but the father remained too far out to reach from the shore.
As two MCSO Marine Unit boats responded to the scene, members of the Manatee County Beach Patrol paddled out to the father and placed him on a rescue board. Getman said the father appeared to suffer some type of cardiac event after being placed on the rescue board. He was transferred into one of the Marine Unit boats, administered CPR, taken to Galati’s Marina and
transported by EMS personnel to the hospital, where he died the following day.
Getman said the father and son were Florida residents and were visiting from elsewhere in the state, but as of Monday afternoon he couldn’t provide names or additional details.
MAN DROWNS OFF ANNA MARIA
According to Getman, a man drowned later that day near the Sandbar restaurant in Anna Maria at approximately 4:30 p.m. “That was a 73-year-old male. He was in the water about 20 yards out. He began having trouble with his footing and went underwater. Bystanders were able to locate him, pull him out and start CPR, but he didn’t make it,” Getman said.
Getman said the waves were high in that area on Saturday afternoon as the weather began to worsen, but generally the currents there aren’t as strong as they are at Bean Point.
‘Back to School Night’ precedes new school year
Six-year-old Amauara Gunter attended Anna Maria Elementary’s “Back to School Night” open house on Aug. 7. She got to see her new classroom and meet her new teacher, and said she was excited to be starting first grade on Aug. 11.
BETTY GARTHRIGHT | SUBMITTED
Bert makes donation to FISH to pay off mortgage
Dr. Terrie Bert, widow of John Stevely, an original FISH board member, donated the funds.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Thanks to the generosity of Dr. Terrie Bert and her late husband, John Stevely, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) will be mortgagefree for the FISH Preserve.
Bert attended the FISH board meeting on Aug. 4 to discuss the donation.
“She has talked to us, and she had mentioned she was willing to pay the mortgage here on the two
lots,” FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said.
“One of John’s most ardent wishes was to pay off the mortgage,” Bert said. “He worked really hard on those two lots. It would be a really good use of the money, and the will is written so when we both die, FISH gets $50,000 and it would be nice to pay that mortgage now. So, I’m proposing to give you $35,000 and as you’re repairing everything from last hurricane season, then if you folks you need money next year, then throw the other $15,000 in.”
An anonymous donor had donated $50,000 to FISH earlier this year, leaving an approximate
balance of $35,000 for the mortgage.
Bert first announced the bequest at a November 2023 ribbon-cutting ceremony at the 98-acre FISH Preserve.
“There’s one person that could not be with us today,” von Hahmann said at that ceremony. “This is a gentleman who was part of the original purchase of this program, who was part of the original board that was FISH in 1992, he was part of Sea Grants and sat on the board. And we lost him last year to a battle with cancer.”
Von Hahmann then asked Bert to come to the podium to accept a plaque on behalf of her late husband.
“In memory of John Stevely, without his dedication to, and passion for, the FISH Preserve and the village of Cortez, the FISH Preserve restoration project never would have been accomplished. Gone but not forgotten,” the plaque reads.
The preserve is on the south side of Cortez Road. The preservation and non-development of the preserve land, adjacent to the Cortez fishing village and bordering the waters of Sarasota Bay, was the goal of FISH members, including Stevely, in 2000 when they began fundraising to purchase the property.
FISH to donate 50 mango trees to replace those lost in hurricanes
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – In an initiative to replace some of the trees that were lost during the 2024 hurricanes, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage (FISH) board will be donating 50 mango trees to residents of Cortez.
Karen Bell is spearheading the effort and at the Aug. 4 FISH board meeting, she said the trees she is looking at are 2 feet high and will fruit in two years.
“The goal is to replace what was lost,” Bell said.
FISH volunteer Kris Martinez has been informally canvassing the neighborhoods in Cortez to gauge interest.
“I have 15 people who are interested in the trees,” she said.
Previous storms have taken their toll on the trees in the village, Allen Garner said.
“I did a count after a storm event years ago and I counted the ones that had died from the saltwater intrusion as well as those that were still alive,” he said. “And it went from 200 trees down to less than 100 that survived after that event.”
Garner addressed the reasons that many trees did not survive.
“They get salt on the leaves, but normally it washes off,” Garner said. “The problem is, it’s the ground. If the ground is dry and the tidal surge comes in, all that saltwater soaks into the ground. If we get a whole
bunch of rain first the ground is saturated with fresh water and saltwater just floats over the top of it and it goes back out. But it’s tidal surge that isn’t proceeded by rain is what always kills off the plants.”
FISH Treasurer Jane von Hahmann said she wanted to order trees the following day.
“I think we should get a mixed variety, some that bloom early, middle and late,” she said.
“Cortez has always had variety because they weren’t bought in a big batch,” Garner said. “We’ve had the Hadens, the Kents and a few others. It’s probably good to bring in an assortment.”
“They should be in the first week in September,” Bell said.
SUBMITTED
Dr. Terrie Bert will pay off the FISH Preserve mortgage.
Garner will draft an instruction sheet for planting to go along with the trees. Martinez will post information in the area of the post office for those who are interested in receiving a tree.
UF/IFAS | SUBMITTED Donated mango trees will be from the orchard at the University of Florida IFAS center.
Bradenton Beach rolls out emergency text messaging
Residents may either opt in or out of TextMyGov.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – The city is rolling out the emergency text alert service TextMyGov this week. The service will allow residents to receive important notifications about emergencies, including severe weather alerts.
Residents may receive a text message from 91896 initiating the service. Residents can opt out at any time by texting STOP. If an initial message is not received, residents can opt in by texting the keyword “BRADENTON BEACH” to 91896. After sending the
initial keyword, residents will be asked to confirm opting in.
The Bradenton Beach Police Department (BBPD) reminds residents that opting in subjects phone users to Florida Statute 119, which establishes a policy that all state, county and municipal records are open for personal inspection and copying by any person, ensuring transparency in government operations.
“The city’s use of the technology is an example of our efforts to enhance resident services by implementing 21st century solutions,” according to a Facebook post from BBPD. “We’re excited about this new way of communicating with residents and look forward to sharing important city notifications.”
941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria
Sea turtle hatching season in full swing
Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
Executive Director Kristen Mazzarella reminds people to help avoid sea turtle disorientations by providing them with a flat, dark beach at night.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers are continuing to document sea turtle nest hatches and conduct nest excavations.
In the past week they have also rescued multiple birds, received assistance by West Manatee Fire Rescue in retrieving disoriented sea turtle hatchlings from storm drains and recently observed a daytime hatch in Holmes Beach.
“Nesting continues to drop as the nesting females leave the nesting beaches
Where’s Winnie?
Winnie, a female loggerhead sea turtle, is in second place in a field of 12 turtles in the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s Tour de Turtles Race that began on Aug. 1.
She has traveled 227 miles in the Gulf of Mexico since she was satellite-tagged and released after nesting on Coquina Beach on June 23 and she has traveled 76 miles since the race began.
Winnie is swimming to raise awareness about the threat of light pollution and how lighting near shore can negatively impact nesting sea turtles and their hatchlings.
Her participation in the 2025 Tour de Turtles is sponsored by Hurricane Hanks and Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring.
to head to their foraging grounds,” Turtle Watch Executive Director Kristen Maz zarella wrote in an Aug. 8 email. “This is where they will spend the next two to three years feeding and resting up before they return for another nesting season. “
Winnie, a loggerhead turtle that was satellite tagged after nesting on Anna Maria Island in June, has finished nesting for the season and traveled to her foraging grounds, which appear to be off Naples.
As hatching is in full swing right now, Mazzarella reminded people that helping sea turtles hatch is both illegal and unnecessary.
“Sea turtles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs and know when and how to make it to the water on their own,” she wrote. “The only help they need is for us to provide them a dark, flat beach like they would've had before humans - free from artificial lights, debris and holes to run into.”
ANDREA CRAMER | SUBMITTED
A loggerhead hatchling takes its first swim.
If you see a sea turtle in trouble, please call Turtle Watch's 24/7 hotline at 941-301-8434 for instructions.
SUBMITTED
NESTING NEWS
Turtle nests laid: 539 (525 loggerhead, 14 green)
Record: 543 in 2019
False crawls: 822 (794 loggerhead, 28 green)
Record: 831 in 2010
Nests hatched: 188 (186 loggerhead, 2 green) Record: 453 in 2022
Hatchlings produced: 14,156 (13,973 loggerhead, 183 green)
Record: 35,850 in 2022
Hatchling disorientations: 72 (71 loggerhead, 1 green)
Adult disorientations: 30 (28 loggerhead, 2 green)
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
ASK TURTLE WATCH
Why don't you shine lights by the water to lead the hatchlings?
Shining a light by the water may lead the hatchlings you are watching towards the water, but it will also cause other hatchlings further down the beach to travel unnecessarily towards your light, expending important energy. We have seen hatchling tracks that go hundreds of feet parallel to the water following a light instead of directly 5 feet to the water's edge. Not only that, but shining light on the water attracts the fish that will feed on the hatchlings as they enter the water.
Why don't you pick up the hatchlings and put them into the water?
Hatchlings have been crammed together in their nest for a few days since they hatched and really need to stretch their muscles, fully inflate their lungs and get blood flowing to all their extremities. In addition, they use the crawl to the water to orient themselves and imprint on the beach they came from so they can find it when they return as adults. By placing them in the water, they are deprived of these important activities.
Why don't you make a runway to the water to direct the hatchlings in the right direction?
Hatchlings naturally spread out on the beach as they make their way to the water. This ensures that they don't all enter at the same location where an underwater predator may be waiting to eat them.
Man accused of manslaughter now facing drug charges
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office says while officers executed a search warrant on Ian Douglas’ home, they found 12 pounds of marijuana and items indicative of packaging and sale.
BY LESLIE LAKE
SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Ian Douglas, accused of manslaughter in the July 29 Baypointe Terrace shooting death of his father, is now facing drug charges following a search of his home.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) reported while executing a search warrant at the home after the shooting that Douglas, 35, was found to be in possession of approximately 12.5 pounds of marijuana.
According to Douglas’s arrest warrant, the crime scene technician stated all the suspected marijuana was in the defendant’s room, which
was reportedly confirmed through crime scene photographs. During a search of the room, MSCO reports stated a large black suitcase was located at the foot of the bed, containing the suspected marijuana and additional jars of marijuana were found on a coffee table and in the defendant’s bedroom closet. Multiple items to support that the defendant was selling marijuana included scales, baggies and measuring devices, according to the arrest warrant.
The MCSO homicide unit conducted an interview with Douglas in which the marijuana was mentioned. MCSO reports stated that at no time did the defendant deny ownership of the marijuana. He reportedly stated it was just marijuana, and he did not smoke on the day of the homicide in question. He was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to sell, a second-degree felony. He was released on a $5,000 bond for that charge on Aug. 4.
Police warn of Amazon scam
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com HOLMES
BEACH – Police are warning of an Amazon impersonation scam.
Victims receive an unexpected text message that looks like it’s from Amazon, with a message claiming that an item you bought failed a “routine quality inspection” or has been recalled.
The text offers you a full refund, and you don’t even need to return the item. You only have to tap a link in the text message to get your money back.
The message is not actually from Amazon and is a scam that was sent by cybercriminals known as smishing.
If you tap the link in the message, you will be directed to a fake website that looks like Amazon's official site, and you will be asked to enter your account login information, payment
details and other personal data. If you enter any information here, the cybercriminals can steal your Amazon account and money.
The Holmes Beach Police Department offered the following tips to avoid falling victim to a smishing scam:
• Never tap links in an unexpected text message. If you need to contact Amazon regarding a purchase, always navigate to their official website and use the contact information listed there;
• Be cautious of any offer that promises a full refund without requiring you to return the item. Scammers use these “too good to be true” offers to make you act quickly without thinking; and
• Report suspicious texts using your phone’s “report junk” option, then delete the message.
Douglas
BEACH BEAT
HOLMES BEACH
Aug. 4, 3:32 a.m., Avenue C. Assault on law enforcement
officer. A 22-year-old Bradenton man was charged with assaulting a police officer during an early morning traffic stop. Police said they initiated a stop after observing a Jeep driver
failing to make a stop before turning right on a red light and turning the vehicle in a wide manner. Police reported that both the front and rear passengers became argumentative. The three men gave conflicting statements about where they had been. After the driver was issued citations for careless driving and driver’s license not carried/exhibited on demand, he reportedly asked, “How much is assault on an officer?” When police asked the man what he meant, he reportedly said, “If I punched the (blank) out of
you.” Police asked him if he wanted to do so, and he reportedly answered, “Yeah, a little bit.” Given the man’s size of approximately 6’3” and 300 pounds, his proximity to the officer, his emotional state and verbalized threat, he was placed under arrest for assault on a law enforcement officer. Police said the man resisted being placed in handcuffs, tensing his arms and pulling away. He was transported to the Manatee County Jail where he was booked for assault on an officer and resisting an officer without violence.
Life-Link Infinity Day proclaimed
Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie proclaimed Aug. 8 Life-Link Infinity Day in the city in support of organ donation at the Aug. 7 city commission meeting. From left are Commissioners Jan Vosburgh, Ralph Cole, Scott Bear, Mayor John Chappie and Vice Mayor Deborah Scaccianoce with Life-Link representative Meghan Hollingsworth, center.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Hal Bean visits historical museum
Bean family descendant Hal Bean visited the Anna Maria Island Historical Museum in Anna Maria on Aug. 6. The AMI Historical Society shared a Facebook post that day that said, “What an exciting day for the museum! We had a lovely visit from Hal Bean, the great, great grandson of George Emerson Bean! In 1892, Bean set up his homestead on the northern tip of the Island in a scenic beach area that is now known as Bean Point. Bean laid the foundation for the initial settlement of the surrounding area which would later become the city of Anna Maria. After Bean passed away in 1898, ownership of his land transferred to his son, George Wilhelm Bean. He partnered with Charles Roser to further the development of the Island and see his father’s legacy fulfilled. Roser and Bean created the Anna Maria Beach Company together, which developed the streets and further laid the foundations for the area to be developed. Roser is also credited as being the person who founded (invented) the Fig Newton and made much of his
fortune through that invention, which he later used to invest in real estate in Florida.” Operated by the Anna Maria Island Historical Society, offering free admission and open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (closed for September), the AMI Historical Museum is located at 402 Pine Ave. For more information, visit www.amihs.org.
Manns buy The Doctor’s Office
Holmes Beach residents Chris and Olivia Mann are the new owners of The Doctor’s Office cocktail lounge and restaurant in Holmes Beach founded and formerly owned by Sean Murphy. “Olivia and I have always dreamed of owning a restaurant and when the opportunity presented itself to buy The Doctor’s Office we jumped at it,” Chris said. “We’ve been ‘patients’ for years and are beyond excited to take over their tradition of great food and exceptional hospitality. To be honest, we don’t want to change much. The staff is exceptional, the food and drinks are some of the best on the Island and the Doctor's Garden gives us an opportunity to do some really unique and exciting things. We’re excited to put our stamp on what is already is a legendary establishment.” The couple is buying the business but not the property at 5312 Holmes Blvd. #B. The Manns also own the Just 4 Fun AMI boat, bike and beach gear rental business in Holmes Beach and three luxury spas in Cincinnati.
AMIHS | SUBMITTED
Hal Bean visited the AMI Historical Museum on Aug. 6.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
The Doctor’s Office in Holmes Beach is under new ownership.
CHRIS MANN | SUBMITTED
Chris and Olivia Mann now own and operate The Doctor’s Office.
The following hotels and motels accept pets. Some have limitations on species, number, size and breed, some require pets to be caged before housekeeping services are rendered, some require deposits or extra charges, and some have special pet amenities, such as grassy areas for walking. Call ahead to find accommodations that match your needs, and make a list of several hotels in different parts of the state to be prepared for storms from any direction.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
Anna Maria Dream Inn 2502 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-209-1420
Anna Maria Island
Resorts
Tortuga Beach Resort 1325 Gulf Dr. Bradenton Beach 941-778-6611
Anna Maria Motel
808 N. Bay Blvd. Anna Maria 941-778-1269
Queen’s Gate 1101 Gulf Dr. N. Bradenton Beach 941-778-7153
ARCADIA
Knights Inn
504 S. Brevard Ave. 863-494-4884
Holiday Inn Express 2709 Southeast Hwy. 70 863-494-5900
BRADENTON
Best Western Plus 2215 Cortez Rd W 941-238-0800
Compass Hotel
Anna Maria Sound 12324 Manatee Ave W. 941-741-9700
Courtyard Bradenton
Sarasota/Riverfront
100 Riverfront Dr. W. 941-747-3727
Days Inn
3506 1st St. W. 941-746-1141
Days Inn
Bradenton – I75 644 67th St Circle E 941-746-2505
Fairfield Inn & Suites
Lakewood Ranch 6105 Exchange Way 941-552-4000
Hampton Inn & Suites
309 10th St W 941-746-9400
Hyatt Place Sarasota/ Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-748-3100
Motel 6
660 67th St. Circle E. 941-747-6005
Spring Hill Suites
Bradenton Downtown Riverfront 102 12th St. W. 941-226-2200
BROOKSVILLE
Days Inn
6320 Windmere Rd 352-796-9486
Microtel Inn 6298 Nature Coast Blvd 352-796-9025
Quality Inn 30307 Cortez Blvd 352-796-9481
CAPE CORAL
Holiday Inn Express 1538 Cape Coral Pkwy E 239-542-2121
Hampton Inn & Suites 619 SE 47th Terrace 239-540-1050
DAYTONA BEACH
Homewood Suites By Hilton 165 Bill France Blvd 386-258-2828
Residence Inn Daytona Beach Speedway/Airport 1725 Richard Petty Blvd 386-252-3949
DELAND
Comfort Inn 400 E International Speedway 386-736-3100
ELLENTON
Hampton Inn 5810 20th Ct. E. 941-721-4000
Red Roof Inn 4915 17th St. E. 941-729-0600
ELLENTON
Super 8
5218 17th St. E. 941-729-8505
FORT MYERS
Baymont Inn & Suites 9401 Marketplace Rd
239-454-0040
Hyatt Place 2600 Champion Ring Rd
239-418-1844
La Quinta Inn 9521 Market Place Rd
239-466-0012
Residence Inn
20371 Summerlin Rd
239-415-4150
Travel Lodge
13661 Indian Paint Ln
239-561-1117
GAINESVILLE
Best Western
4200 N.W. 97th Blvd.
352-331-3336
Home Hotel & Suites
3905 S.W. 43rd St.
352-376-0004
Motel 6
4000 S.W. 40th Blvd.
352-373-1604
Residence Inn by Marriott
I-75
3275 SW 40 Blvd
352-264-0000
KISSIMMEE
Ramada Gateway 7470 HWY 192
407-966-4410
Motel 6
5731 W. Irlo Bronson Hwy.
407-396-6333
LAKELAND
Hilton Garden Inn
3839 Don Emerson Drive
863-647-0066
Motel 6
3120 U.S. Hwy. 98 N. 863-682-0643
Residence Inn
3701 Harden Blvd. 863-680-2323
LAKE BUENA VISTA
Marriott Residence Inn 11450 Marbella Palm Court 407-465-0075
LAKE CITY
Baymont Inn & Suites 3598 US 90 W 386-752-3801
Days Inn
3430 N US Hwy 441 386-758-4224
LAKE MARY
Extended Stay America 1040 Greenwood Blvd 407-829-2332
Hyatt Place 1255 S International Pkwy 407-995-5555
La Quinta Inn 1060 Greenwood Blvd. 407-805-9901
Residence Inn 825 Heathrow Park Lane 407-995-3400
LEESBURG
Best Western Plus 1321 N. 14th Street
352-460-0118
Hampton Inn 9630 Us Hwy 441
352-315-1053
OCALA
Comfort Inn 1212 S Pine Ave
352-629-7300
Hampton Inn & Suites 3601 SW 38th Ave
352-867-0300
La Quinta Inn & Suites
3530 S.W. 36th Ave.
352-861-1137
Microtel Inn & Suites 1770 Southwest 134th St
352-307-1166
Equus Inn 3434 SW College Rd 352-854-3200
Residence Inn
3601 S.W. 38th Ave. 352-547-1600
Sleep Inn and Suites 13600 S.W. 17th Court 352-347-8383
ORLANDO
Hard Rock Hotel 5800 Universal Blvd. 407-503-2000
Holiday Inn Lake Buena Vista 13351 State Road 535 407-239-4500
La Quinta Inn - Universal Studios 5621 Major Blvd 407-313-3100
Motel 6 - Winter Park 5300 Adanson Street 407-647-1444
Motel 6 International 5909 American Way 407-351-6500
Residence Inn Seaworld 11000 Westwood Blvd. 407-313-3600
Staybridge Suites 7450 Augusta National Dr 407-438-2121
Townplace Suites 11801 High Tech Ave. 407-243-6100
PLANT CITY
Comfort Inn
2003 S Frontage Rd 813-707-6000
Knights Inn
301 S Frontage Rd 813-752-0570
PORT CHARLOTTE
Comfort Inn
812 Kings Hwy 941-421-7548
Days Inn
1941 Tamiami Trail 941-623-9404
Knights Inn 4100 Tamiami Trail 941-743-2442
Sleep Inn & Suites 806 Kings Highway 941-613-6300
PUNTA GORDA
Four Points by Sheraton 33 Tamiami Trail 941-637-6770
RUSKIN
Holiday Inn & Suites 226 Teco Rd. 813-922-4561
Ruskin Inn 3113 College Ave 813-641-3437
SANFORD
Best Western Plus 3401 S Orlando Dr 407-320-0845
SARASOTA
Comfort Suites 5690 Honore Ave 941-554-4475
Comfort Inn & Suites 5931 Commercial Way 941-342-8778
Courtyard Sarasota Bradenton 850 University Pkwy 941-355-3337
Embassy Suites by Hilton 202 N. Tamiami Trail 941-256-0190
Even Hotel – Lakewood Ranch 6231 Lake Osprey Dr 941-782-4400
Hampton Inn & Suites 8565 Cooper Creek Blvd 941-355-8619
Hibiscus Suites 1735 Stickney Point Road 941-921-5797
Hyatt Place Lakewood Ranch 6021 Exchange Way 941-946-2357
Hyatt Place Sarasota 950 University Pkwy 941-554-5800
La Quinta Inn & Suites 1803 N. Tamiami Trail 941-366-5128
Residence Inn 1040 University Pkwy. 941-358-1468
Days Inn 5000 N. Tamiami Trail 941-351-7734
Sleep Inn
900 University Pkwy. 941-359-8558
SEBRING
La Quinta Inn 4115 US 27 South 863-386-1000
Magnunson Grand 6525 US 27 North 863-385-4500
Residence Inn 3221 Tubbs Road 863-314-9100
Severn Sebring Hotel 150 Midway Dr 863-655-7200
SPRING HILL
Motel 6 6172 Commercial Way 352-596-2007
TALLAHASSEE
Best Western Pride Inn 2016 Apalachee Parkway 850-656-6312
La Quinta Inn North 2905 N. Monroe St. 850-385-7172
Motel 6 Downtown 1027 Apalachee Parkway 850-877-6171
Motel 6 West 2738 N. Monroe St. 850-386-7878
Quality Inn 3090 N. Monroe St. 850-562-2378
Red Roof Inn
2930 Hospitality Street 850-385-7884
Red Roof Inn 6737 Mahan Drive 850-656-2938
Residence Inn 1880 Raymond Diehl Road 850-422-0093
Residence Inn Universities 600 W. Gaines St. 850-329-9080
Sleep Inn 1695 Capital Circle N.W. 850-575-5885
Staybridge Suites 1600 Summit Lake Drive 850-219-7000
Suburban Extended Stay Hotel
522 Silver Slipper Lane 850-386-2121
TAMPA
Quality Inn-Busch Gardens 2701 E. Fowler Ave. 813-971-4710
Holiday Inn Express 8610 Elm Fair Blvd 813-490-1000
Holiday Inn Express 8310 Galbraith 813-910-7171
Homewood Suites by Hilton Tampa/Brandon 10240 Palm River Road 813-685-7099
Hyatt Place Tampa Airport 4811 W. Main St. 813-282-1037
Residence Inn 4312 W. Boy Scout Blvd. 813-877-7988
Sheraton Tampa East Hotel 10221 Princess Palm Ave 813-623-6363
TEMPLE TERRACE
Residence Inn 13420 N Telcom Parkway 813-972-4400
Towne Place Suites by Marriott 6800 Woodstork Rd 813-975-9777
WINTER HAVEN
Howard Johnson Inn 1300 3rd St SW 863-294-7321
Lake Roy Beach Inn 1825 Cypress Garden Blvd 863-324-6320
Roadway Inn & Suites 1911 Cypress Gardens Blvd. 863-324-5994
OBITUARIES
Betty Lane Barczak
Betty Lane Barczak died peacefully at age 100 with family at her bedside on Aug. 3, 2025 at Westminster Point Pleasant in Bradenton, Florida.
She was born on Feb. 6, 1925 in Waycross, Georgia to George Allen Lane, a member of the Florida House of Representatives, and Alice Wilson Lee Morton Lane, a member of the Lee family of Virginia.
Raised in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Bradenton, Florida, she graduated from Bradenton High School, now Manatee High School, in 1943.
A member of the Greatest Generation, Betty worked as a secretary at Sarasota Field, Florida (now SarasotaBradenton International Airport), and Langley Field, Virginia (now Langley Air Force Base) during World War II, where she met her husband, U.S. Army Air Corps B-17 pilot John Valentine Barczak, of Chicago, Illinois when he returned from overseas duty in England.
a secretary at the SOS company. When the couple relocated to Bradenton, she worked at the Asbury Towers retirement home (now Westminster Point Pleasant) as a secretary and in marketing, while John transferred from the Sears corporate office in Chicago to the Sarasota Sears retail store.
The Barczaks were members of St. Joseph Catholic Church and the Bradenton Country Club, and were admired on dance floors from the church hall to the Trianon Ballroom in Chicago.
on her high school reunion committees, playing puzzle games and dining out with family. She was predeceased by her parents; her husband; her sisters, Bobbie Juanita Lane Parker and Mary Alice Lane Valentine; and her foster sister, Minnie Lee Cotton. She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Lane; and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
After their marriage, they lived in Chicago, where Betty worked as
Betty also enjoyed water skiing, Anna Maria Island’s beaches –which she recalled her family reaching by car ferry before there were any bridges – Olympic ice skating and gymnastics, working
She will be fondly remembered for many things, especially her love for family and friends, her graceful courage, her cheerful whistling and her impeccable fashion sense.
A funeral Mass will be offered at St. Bernard Catholic Church, 248 S. Harbor Drive, Holmes Beach, Florida on Thursday, Sept. 4 at 11 a.m. followed by a private burial.
OUTDOORS
Join the Great Scallop Search
Reel Time
arasota Bay Watch (SBW) is seeking volunteers for a citizen science event to collect data on shellfish, animals and seagrass in Sarasota Bay.
The Great Scallop Search will be on Saturday, August 23 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Participation helps scientists assess the health of the bay and is part of a larger effort along Florida’s west coast to gather information on marine life and water quality.
Volunteers’ efforts during the search will help identify areas of interest for investigation. Using the provided scallop survey equipment, participants will set up an observation area with buoys and ropes. Volunteers then
work in teams to record any sea life found within this perimeter. The event allows snorkelers to survey the study area and report their findings to a volunteer who will stay on the surface and document the observations on a data sheet. Once the observation area has been thoroughly surveyed, the team will retrieve their equipment and proceed to the next site.
Kayakers will focus on very shallow areas near the shore. Working in pairs, one volunteer will snorkel while the other records data. Kayakers will be responsible for transporting their survey equipment to these locations.
Boat captains will cover deeper areas working with their designated crew and snorkelers to record life on the bottom. Boat captains are responsible for transporting their survey equipment to these areas. Crew are volunteers who have a boat captain
prior to the event. Snorkelers will be paired with boat captains who have additional space on their vessels, space permitting.
All participants (except boat captains) should be prepared to snorkel and must provide their own snorkeling gear.
Choose between two Scallop Search locations: North (Longboat Key) or South (Sarasota Sailing Squadron). Upon arrival, volunteers will check in, collect their scallop survey equipment from SBW and join their designated groups. Groups will receive instructions from SBW, then depart to search for scallops and return the equipment afterward. You must return to the Scallop Search location you started at to return your equipment. Lunch will be provided at the south location.
Experienced boat captains, kayakers and swimmers are preferred for this event.
TIPS FOR PARTICIPANTS
• Wear heavy, closed-toed shoes that can get wet like sneakers, water shoes or boots to protect your feet;
• Opt for clothing that covers your arms and legs to ensure comfort and protection;
• Bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and reduce waste;
• Don’t forget essentials like sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat for sun protection;
• Use a dry bag to safeguard your valuables;
• Only scallop survey equipment will be provided (clipboards, ropes, buckets, etc.). Volunteers must provide all other equipment that they need (snorkels, kayaks, fins, etc.).
Launch locations are: North location –Coquina North Boat Ramp: 1507 Gulf Drive S., Bradenton Beach; South location
The event is one of Sarasota Bay Watch’s longest and most popular events. It is a great family fun/educational event and also a great way to get friends and family together on the water. According to SBW Executive Director Ronda Ryan, “When people see what is in and under the water, they can relate to the need to protect this habitat. Seeing is believing!”
Scallop searches are held along the west coast of Florida during the summer months when the scallops are the largest. All the information collected during the searches is shared with scientists at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The Scallop Search is a great example of citizen science at work and an opportunity for the public to interact with marine scientists.
Complete your online registration at https://sarasotabaywatch. org/event/the-great-scallopsearch-25/ to secure your spot and stay informed about updates.
– Sarasota Sailing Squadron: 1717 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota.
RUSTY CHINNIS
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN Young volunteers proudly show the scallops they found during an earlier search.
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT
Fishing goes inland – way inland
I hosted a group of friends and clients on one of my annual destination fly fishing trips recently. Richard Weintraub, Jim Kuhlman and I traveled from Sarasota to Bozeman, Montana and met up with Tim Siegel, of Indiana, Ray Hutchinson, of Michigan, and Trevor Elmquist, of Pine Island, Florida. We made the two-and-a-half hour drive to Medicine Lodge and a 100,000-acre working ranch near the Beaverhead River outside of Dillon, and met up with group members Mike Perez, of Sarasota and Dennis Kinley, of Indiana. We fished the Beaverhead, Big Hole and Madison Rivers and a couple of spring creeks with guide Dave King, owner of King Outfitters (406-596-0209)
in Dillon, and his talented group of guides, and caught some quality fish. I’ve fished with Dave for more than 25 years; his guides do a great job and know their fishery well. Water levels were higher than expected and despite some restrictions, fishing was generally good. Schedules were adjusted for
earlier starts and we were done fishing before the heat of the day. We had morning temperatures in the high 40s to low 50s some days, which was refreshing compared to Florida in late July.
We fished 4-, 5- and 6-weight fly tackle and caught and released brown and rainbow trout to more
than 20” on streamers, dry flies and dry/dropper rigs. The dry fly action was often a hopper, sometimes with a nymph or with a smaller dry fly dropper and a few other bugs. Wildlife was plentiful. We crossed paths with deer, moose, bighorn sheep and antelope during the week. This
is an annual trip for me, so if you have an interest in technical fly fishing for big trout or if you want to learn the ropes and travel with an experienced group, please let me know.
Back in Sarasota, catch and release snook fishing around dock lights and bridges should be a good option. You might also find juvenile tarpon in a few places mixed with snook around dock lights. Juvenile tarpon in canals and creeks may also be a good option.
Our natural resources are under constant pressure from red tides fueled by residential, industrial and agricultural runoff, toxic spills and intentional releases, freezes, increasing fishing pressure and habitat loss and degradation. Please limit your kill, don’t kill your limit!
CAPT. RICK GRASSETT | SUBMITTED
Left, Jim Kuhlman, of Nokomis, Florida, with a nice Montana brown trout caught and released on a fly. Right, Dennis Kinley, of Indiana, with a 25" Montana brown trout.
REAL ESTATE
What investors are eyeing now
The old expression “follow the money” can be applied to several different as pects of life. Sometimes it’s as simple as tracking trades in the stock market and sometimes following the money can disclose corruption in government at all levels. But for the sake of this column, we’ll follow the real estate money - and it’s taking a new, surprising turn.
As we briefly discussed last week, the housing market, with some exceptions, is slow all over the country. The muchanticipated spring selling season has become a complete dud and everyone in the industry is pinning their hopes on a large interest rate cut in September. Nevertheless, single-home investors are alive and well and are dominating the real estate market so far this year. The interesting thing is the profile of investors has changed significantly. Previously, investment buyers were predominantly large private equity firms, however, the majority of buyers
Castles in the Sand
for these properties now are small investors; small investors are defined as owners with 100 or fewer properties. According to Cotality, a property analytics firm, so far in 2025, investors have made up about 30% of purchases of both existing and newly built single-family homes, the highest share on record. In addition, in the first half of the year, small investors made up about 25% of investment home purchases, while large investors accounted for about 5%.
The question is, why is this happening? Obviously, small investors are not deterred in spite of high prices and high interest rates; they still see a pathway to maximize
their investment. Smaller investors also have the ability to take more risk since they are making their own decisions without the oversight of a board of directors. It also works for them since so many traditional homebuyers have stepped back waiting for some signal that the market is improving. Based on what is going on with the condo market across the country, some of those investment buyers would be smart to take a look at advantageous buying options on condo properties. Condo sellers haven’t faced a market this weak in more than a decade. Prices are down, supply is up and sellers often feel lucky to get an offer.
This is particularly true in the south and naturally, Florida condos - which play a major role in our housing market - are being impacted the most. The Florida condo market accounts for 16% of all home sales compared with just 10% of home sales nationwide. Coastal condos, as we know, are hurting the most as home insurance and new safety regulations have increased HOA fees.
All of this is true and there is no denying it. However, although I don’t have statistics to prove my theory, I do believe the east coast of Florida is suffering more with condo sales than the west coast. This, I believe, is a reflection of the Surfside building collapse in 2021 and also the age of the buildings and the deferred maintenance on so many of the oceanfront properties. I hear much less about condos in our area failing the milestone structural inspections mandated by the state and ones that have appeared to be on a smaller scale.
Even though single-family homes are selling at a stronger pace than condos, remember, Florida loves condo living - it’s why people came here. Certainly, marketing a strong, storm-survived condo building will be beneficial to your sale and of course should be on your listing information.
Follow the money, and the money is with small investors. Watch what they’re buying and keep an eye on those condos.
LOUISE BOLGER
GIRL SCOUT: Project aids turtles, beachgoers
FROM PAGE 1
also providing beach toys for beachgoers to use, share and return to their proper place.
A visit to the beach toy borrow box on Aug. 7 revealed it was filled with flotation devices, an inflation pump, a wakeboard, pails, shovels and other beach items and toys. Speaking by phone earlier that day, Lander discussed her Gold Award project with The Sun. Lander is a member of Girl Scout Troop #574, which is part of the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida. Lander said she joined the Girl Scouts when she was in kindergarten (making her a “daisy”) and she remains a scout as she heads into her junior year at Lakewood Ranch High School on Aug. 11 as a Gold Award Girl Scout at the “ambassador” grade level.
“A few years ago, I did a Little Free Library at a park where I live and the concept is ‘Take a book, leave a book.’ That’s
kind of the idea I had for this project,” she said, noting that her mom, Alice Lander, helped her further develop her idea.
The sign on the borrow box says:
“City of Holmes Beach Beach Toy Borrow Box Need a toy? Take a toy!
Have a toy? Leave a toy!”
The sign bears the “Leave No Trace” motto used by the Holmes Beach-based Islanders 4 Clean Water initiative and says, “Please use plastic shovels only and fill in your holes when you leave.”
A note at the bottom of the sign says, “A special thanks to Zoe Lander for designing and building our first beach toy borrow box.”
“We are so fortunate to have conservation-minded young adults in our community,” Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said. “This young lady saw a problem, came up with a solution and saw it through to completion. She is an inspiration to all like-minded kids. I’m so proud of her!”
According to “Your Guide to Going Gold” posted at the GirlScouts.org website, “The Girl Scout Gold Award is a ‘Take Action’ project that must include five elements. Your project must: 1) address a root cause of an issue that
that has a 2) national and/ or global link. Through your actions, you must demonstrate 3) leadership while also creating 4) sustainable and 5) measurable impact.”
The guide also says, “Do this for you – not for anyone else! This
isn’t your parent’s or troop leader’s project. The Gold Award is an opportunity to harness your passion and put your ideas into motion. It’s challenging. It’s immensely rewarding. And it’s entirely up to you. As a bonus, the Gold Award opens doors to a variety of scholarships, preferred admission tracks for college, strong networking and amazing career opportunities and much more.”
“It’s the highest award you can achieve as a Girl Scout and it shows your accomplishment,” Lander said. “The first part of my project was contacting Holmes Beach to find an appropriate location.” Her first contact with the city was Digital/Media Strategist Matt McDonough. “I emailed him and told him about the Gold Award and what I was trying to do. After that, I went out to the beach access points to look at them and to find which one was the best for the bin,” Lander said.
SEE GIRL SCOUT, PAGE 24
563-2820
WhitneyBeach Condo
ZOE LANDER/GIRL SCOUTS OF GULFCOAST FLORIDA | SUBMITTED
Zoe Lander built her beach toy borrow box at her Lakewood Ranch home.
TURF: Cities losing authority to regulate artificial turf lawns
• Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order, rule or policy that prohibits, or is enforced to prohibit, a property owner from installing synthetic turf that complies with FDEP standards which apply to single-family residential property; or
• Adopt or enforce any ordinance, resolution, order, rule, or policy that regulates synthetic turf which is inconsistent with the FDEP standards adopted pursuant to this section which apply to single-family residential property.
Prior to the adoption of city ordinance 22-24 in January 2023, the city of Holmes Beach did not regulate the use of artificial turf. Artificial turf front yards installed before the city ordinance took effect were allowed to remain as legal, non-conforming uses.
The city’s current artificial turf regulations apply to all
residential zoning districts and also to the C-1, C-2 and C-3 commercial-zoned districts. Artificial turf installations currently require a city-issued permit and a post-installation inspection.
According to current city code:
• Artificial turf is allowed in rear and side yards, but not to exceed 10% of the total pervious surface area of the lot;
• Artificial turf shall not be allowed in any front yard areas, unless confined to parking and driveway areas and placed between paver blocks or similar items where the artificial turf does not exceed 4 inches in width;
• Artificial turf shall consist of green lifelike individual blades of grass that simulate the appearance of live turf, organic turf, grass, sod or lawn; and
• Artificial turf shall be lead free and flame retardant.
FDEP RULES
Holmes Beach Director of Development Services Chad Minor discussed the new state law with planning commissioners on Aug. 6 and provided them with copies of the FDEP presentation given during the synthetic turf standards public rule-making workshop FDEP conducted the previous day.
The FDEP presentation says, “Per Florida Statute 125.572(2), the FDEP standards must take into account material type, color, permeability, stormwater management, potable water conservation, water quality, proximity to trees and other vegetation and any other factors impacting the environ-
mental conditions of adjacent properties. Turf materials must be lead-free, must be disposable under normal conditions at any Florida landfill and rubber materials cannot be used infill.
Public input was taken during the FDEP workshop and written comments are being accepted through Aug. 19 by email at DWRA.Rulemaking@ FloridaDEP.gov.
Minor said he provided the FDEP with a copy of the Holmes Beach ordinance and the city’s contracted lobbyist also communicated with the state agency. Minor said the lobbyist asked the FDEP to “tread carefully” when developing the state’s new artificial turf rules.
“It impacts more than you think,” Minor said.
Minor said FDEP didn’t provide an estimate as to when the new synthetic turf rules will be implemented.
SEE TURF, PAGE 24
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
This home on Avenue E had an artificial turf front yard before the city’s artificial turf ordinance took effect in 2023.
CRA: Members discuss 2025-26 budget
“We have an unbelievable amount of foot traffic in the CRA district, and we need to look at widening the sidewalks in the main thoroughfare areas,” Cosby said.
Cosby discussed building projects from the ground up beginning with wiring for lighting, irrigation systems and then moving on to the next level including paving, concrete and sidewalks.
“In the past we’ve put stuff in and had to dig it out and we don’t want to do that,” Cosby said. “We want to revitalize what we have there and try to make it more pedestrian friendly.”
Cosby suggested scheduling a work meeting to get input from residents and businesses.
“The hurricane has taken so much out it does give us the opportunity to do this,” he said. “You can see the age of the street when you look at how nice the pier is and the docks and the pergola and you look at the rest of the street and that age really comes out.”
Cosby addressed flooding in the district following heavy rains.
“The rain that we had yesterday that lasted 45 minutes, everything in the CRA district was underwater and it’s because of the system that was put in. The pipe is clogged, and we’ve got to clear that out. We had a conversation with our stormwater engineer about putting in the baskets to collect the silt. It may not look pretty for a little while because we’ve got to get started from the bottom and work our way up.”
Mayor John Chappie said the CRA board could talk about putting out an RFP (request for proposal) at a future meeting.
“Maybe not all in one year or two years, but we could plan that out in stages,” Chappie said. “In the budget we have $675,000 for the CRA enhancements and another $450,000 for district improvements along with the $300,000 for undergrounding and streetlights. There’s quite a nice amount of money in there.”
Chappie said undergrounding has never been on the back burner.
“It’s always been in the forefront and that’s part of the foundation before you start doing the other work on top of the ground,” he said.
“If we have a project that can’t be completed in the coming fiscal year we can plug it into the budget for the following, so we’re still demonstrating using it at a future time,” Thompson said.
CRA member Deborah Scaccianoce said that standing water in the district is a problem and she would like to take steps to move forward with repairs.
“Yesterday when it was raining and with the blockages on Bridge Street, the water was bubbling up out of the storm system because it was so overwhelmed,” Cosby said. “Everything that way is blocked and I want to use that money to fix what’s broken before we move forward and put money into other areas.”
He said the standing water will eventually undermine the roads.
“The pipes are good; the main issue is this damming system that was put in to try to force the water to flow slower and percolate into the ground,” Cosby said. “We’re on a barrier island - that’s not going to happen. When we get that fixed that will take care of that.”
Two public hearings will be held in September for the fiscal year 2025-26 CRA budget prior to final approval.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Bradenton Beach Community Redevelopment Agency members met on Aug. 6 to discuss the proposed 2025-26 CRA budget .
FROM PAGE 1
GIRL SCOUT: Project aids turtles, beachgoers
FROM PAGE 21
“She reached out to me and explained what she wanted to do to make some kind of change in the community to earn her Gold Award,” McDonough said. “I ran it by the mayor, we both loved it and we worked out the logistics of getting it out there and getting it installed. I think it’s a great idea and it’s really cool to see a kid from the community caring about this.”
Assisted by her dad, Michael, she assembled the wooden bin and painted it with Flex Seal paint to make it more weather resistant.
“My dad helped a lot with creating the bin,” Lander said of the construction project that unfolded in the family garage this summer.
“We put it in my mom’s mini-van,” she said of the delivery method that led to the borrow box being installed at the 68th Street beach access on July 10.
Crafting the message for the sign on the borrow box was an important part of Lander’s first experience with a local government.
“I had some ideas for the sign and I reached out to Matt to make sure that
TURF: Cities losing authority to regulate artificial turf lawns
FROM PAGE 22
LOCAL IMPACT
“We spent months developing an artificial turf ordinance,” Minor said of the 2022 and 2023 regulatory efforts that included insights provided by industry experts and University of Florida experts.
“The Legislature has now adopted rules that preempt the city from requiring a permit for installing artificial turf for single-family homes under 1 acre, which is 90% of the property we have in the city,” Minor said. “As soon as those rules are adopted by FDEP, our ordinance is essentially negated.”
tions at duplexes and other multifamily residential structures.
Planning Commissioner Gale Tedhams wondered why the Department of Environmental Protection would support these measures.
“Let’s put plastic everywhere,” she lamented.
Minor noted the Legislature imposed the new law and rule making process on the state agency.
Tedhams asked whether the city’s pervious/impervious surface drainage regulations could be used to regulate artificial turf. Minor said the city attorney doesn’t feel there’s much the city can do to offset the new state law.
it matched the rest of Holmes Beach and fit in with the other signs,” Lander said. “I explained what I wanted and he made it come to life for me. The sign is way to let people know not to leave behind holes and the bin itself helps keep stuff off the sand so the sea turtles can make it to the water.”
Minor said a city permit won’t be needed to install artificial turf and he doubts FDEP will require a permit.
“We are not going to be able to ask for anything,” he said, noting the city will still retain some regulatory authority for artificial turf installa-
“Well, that’s sad,” Tedhams said. “That’s why I question the title of ‘Department of Environmental Protection.’ They don’t protect anything.”
According to the Municode website, the cities of Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach do not regulate artificial turf.
ZOE LANDER/GIRL SCOUTS OF GULFCOAST FLORIDA | SUBMITTED Zoe Lander built her beach toy borrow box in the family garage in Lakewood Ranch.
FUN IN THE SUN
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