New book revisits 1980 Kingfish boat ramp murders
On Aug. 1, author Alan Cross stood at the Kingfish boat ramp in the vicinity of where the 1980 shooting victims first encountered the shooter.
Appeal hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking
Attorneys
for Bradenton Beach and Gayle Luper presented their cases at a quasi-judicial hearing.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH – Attorneys for Luper Enterprises and the city of Bradenton Beach presented their opposing cases at a July 29 appeal hearing of a city commission’s decision banning resort fee-based parking at the Bungalow Beach Resort.
Special Master Marisa Powers presided over the quai-judicial hearing and has 15 days from that date to make a decision and issue a written order on the appeal. The appeal was based on the April 17 city commission decision to require Gayle Luper, the owner of Bungalow Beach Resort, to obtain a temporary use permit for
parking with several restrictions. Luper maintains that despite the bungalows being destroyed in Hurricanes Helene and Milton last year, the resort’s other two parcels were continually operational and that she is entitled to sell resort passes that include parking, as she said she did prior to the hurricanes.
TIMELINE
• Hurricane Helene reduced the original older cottages at Bungalow Beach Resort to rubble. The buildings were condemned.
• By Feb. 1, the razed parcels were cleared of debris.
• Luper was advised by the city that she must file a parking permit to continue to charge a resort fee for parking. Luper said that City Planner Luis Serna advised her that a permit was not necessary.
SEE APPEAL, PAGE 17
The fatal shootings that occurred near the Kingfish Boat Ramp in 1980 remain an unsolved cold case.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – On the 45th anniversary of the unsolved Kingfish Boat Ramp murders, Bradenton resident Alan Cross released his self-published non-fiction book, “Tales from the Island: The Kingfish Boat Ramp Murders.”
Released on Aug. 1, Cross’s book is available locally at Ginny’s and Jane E’s Café in Anna Maria, The Beach Shop in Cortez, Three Island Monkeys in Longboat Key and online at Amazon.com. Cross’s book examines the Aug. 1, 1980, murders of Tampa physician Dr. Juan Dumois, 47, his sons Eric, 13, and Mark, 9, and the shooting of
SEE KINGFISH, PAGE 20
Cortez man charged with manslaughter
Ian Douglas, 35, is charged with manslaughter by culpable negligence in the July 29 shooting death of his father.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
CORTEZ – Ian Douglas, 35, charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of his father, Andrew Douglas, 76, was released on a $75,000 bond with conditions on Aug. 1.
According to Douglas’ arrest affidavit, he called 911 shortly after noon on July 29 stating he accidentally shot his father in the neck while showing him a firearm.
Police and EMS arrived at the Baypointe Terrace home and found Douglas rendering aid to his father, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) report.
Emergency medical personnel attempted lifesaving measures on the victim but he could not be revived and was pronounced dead at 12:20 p.m.
During a recorded interview, Douglas admitted knowing that the firearm was loaded, and accidentally pulling the trigger, shooting his father, according to the police report.
After further investigation, detectives charged Douglas with manslaughter by culpable negligence.
The conditions of his supervised release include allowing a supervised release officer to conduct visits, submit to random urinalysis, no illegal drug use and no possession of firearms or weapons, according to MCSO. His next scheduled court appearance date is Friday, Sept. 12.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Douglas
Flesh-eating bacteria reported in Manatee County
The Florida Department of Health cautions against entering marine waters with open wounds.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Health (DOH)-Manatee County is reporting one confirmed case of vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, in Manatee County this year.
Two deaths from the bacteria were reported in Manatee County, one in 2023 and one in 2024.
The DOH warns against entering the water if you have fresh cuts or scrapes, as vibrio vulnificus can cause an infection of the skin when open wounds are exposed to
warm seawater; these infections may lead to skin breakdown and ulcers.
“The bacterium can invade the bloodstream, causing a severe and life-threatening illness with symptoms like fever, chills, decreased blood pressure (septic shock) and blistering skin lesions.
Vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections are fatal about 50% of the time,” according to DOH.
Individuals who are immunocompromised - for example, those with chronic liver disease, kidney disease or a weakened immune system - should wear proper foot protection to prevent cuts and injury caused by rocks and shells on the beach, according to DOH.
A recent study showed that people with these pre-existing medical conditions were 80 times
more likely to develop vibrio vulnificus bloodstream infections than healthy people.
Wound infections may be more serious in people with weakened immune systems. The wound may heal poorly and require surgery. Sometimes an amputation may be needed for recovery.
Between 1988 and 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) received reports of more than 900 vibrio vulnificus infections from the Gulf coast states, where most cases occur.
People can also get infected with vibrio vulnificus when they eat raw shellfish, particularly oysters.
The DOH offers the following tips to prevent infection:
• Do not eat raw oysters or other raw shellfish. Cook shellfish thoroughly.
• For shellfish in the shell, either a) boil until the shells open and continue boiling for five more minutes, or b) steam until the shells open and then continue cooking for 9 more minutes. Do not eat those shellfish that do not open during cooking. Boil shucked oysters at least three minutes, or fry them in oil at least 10 minutes at 375°F.
• Avoid cross-contamination of cooked seafood and other foods with raw seafood and juices from raw seafood.
• Eat shellfish promptly after cooking and refrigerate leftovers.
• Avoid exposure of open wounds or broken skin to warm salt or brackish water, or to raw shellfish harvested from such waters.
• Wear gloves when handling raw shellfish.
CHE AP EATS
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Seawall ordinance adopted
The city of Holmes Beach has a new shoreline and seawall ordinance in place that establishes a new 6-foot maximum height for seawalls. Based on an ordinance previously adopted by the town of Longboat Key, the maximum height is measured according to the National Vertical Datum (NAVD) 1988 elevation standard. The ordinance allows seawall caps to be added to existing seawalls, but not exceed the 6-foot maximum height. Adopted on second and final reading on July 25 after being reviewed multiple times by the city commission and the planning commission, Ordinance 25-03 allows a reconstructed or repaired seawall to extend outward and waterward up to 18 inches from the front of the existing seawall. The ordinance also includes drainage requirements to help prevent tidal and stormwater runoff from affecting neighboring properties.
City commission to approve legal services invoices
Bradenton Beach commissioners have on their consent agenda the approval of invoices for legal services at the Thursday, Aug. 7 meeting at 6 p.m. The three invoices from the law office of Robert K. Lincoln are for $787.50, $5,325 and $3,217.50. Commissioners are also expected to approve a quote from Image 360 for $3,569 for city flags. Also on the agenda will be a proclamation for Lifelink Infinity Day. The agenda also lists unspecified department head requests, attorney business and mayor and commissioners’ reports and activities. The meeting will be in the Katie Pierola Commission Chambers, 107 Gulf Drive N.
Corrections:
Amy Cunningham’s last name was misspelled in a July 30 story about the Christmas in July fundraiser at the Drift-In.
Retiring Anna Maria Postmaster Sheila Brunger was presented with a framed copy of the proclamation that Mayor Mark Short read in her honor. A photo caption incorrectly stated she was given a different token of appreciation.
Scan this code with your smartphone to go there.
Florida DOGE auditing Manatee County
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida DOGE Task Force will review the county budget that increased 80% since 2020.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
MANATEE COUNTY – The Florida Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is auditing Manatee County’s finances.
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the audit during his July 24 visit to Bradenton, during which he mentioned the steep property tax increases in Manatee County in recent years.
The same day, Manatee County Commission Chairman George Kruse received a letter from DOGE that began by saying, “The Florida DOGE team, in partnership with Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and the Office of Policy and Budget, have identified Manatee County for further review and an on-site visit. Although Manatee County has taken steps to reduce the county-wide millage rate in recent years, rising property values have pushed annual property tax collections up by over $200 million since 2019, according to your published budgets. This increased burden on property owners has helped Manatee County increase the county’s net annual budget by almost $600 million since 2020 – an increase in spending of 80% during that period.”
County Administrator Charlie Bishop was copied as a recipient of the DOGE letters. Hillsborough County, Pinellas County, the city of Orlando and the city of Jacksonville are among the other Florida counties and cities that recently received similar DOGE letters.
In addition to paying county property taxes, Anna Maria, Bradenton Beach and Holmes Beach property owners also pay annual city property taxes at a much lower millage rate than the county’s millage rate. Property owners in Bradenton, Palmetto and the northern portion of Longboat Key also pay city and county property taxes. Property owners in unincorporated areas, including Cortez, don’t pay city property taxes.
“Having entrusted their governments with the power to tax, the citizens of Florida have a right to expect that their elected officials will spend the collected funds responsibly, not recklessly, and on truly necessary programs,” the
DOGE letter says. “Through the DOGE effort, Gov. DeSantis has charged us to identify and report on this type of excessive spending at the county and municipal level.”
The letter also says, “We hereby request access to your county’s physical premises, data systems and responsive personnel on Aug. 5 and Aug. 6, at the county administration building and such other locations that you identify as necessary to comply with these requests. You should note that financial penalties may accrue for your failure to comply with each of the following requests for access on those dates.”
The letter is signed by Ingoglia, DOGE Team Leader Eric Soskin and Office of Policy and Budget Director Leda Kelly.
On July 31, county commissioners voted 5-1 in favor of setting the county’s tentative millage rate at the same 6.0826 mills in effect for the current fiscal year. Subject to revision before final adoption in September, Manatee County’s $2.54 billion 2026 fiscal year budget currently includes $1.38 billion in newly generated revenues, including property tax revenues. The $2.54 billion total also includes debts and other financial obligations being carried over from the 2025 fiscal year that ends on Sept. 30.
DOGE REQUESTS
The two-page DOGE letter was accompanied by six pages of specific requests for detailed financial information, including capital expenditures, operating costs and funding sources for the countycontracted Gulf Islands Ferry service that operates between downtown Bradenton and Anna Maria Island, the Riverwalk Day Dock in downtown Bradenton and the Bradenton Beach Pier in Bradenton Beach that currently serve as ferry stops. Because of the hurricane damage that Hurricane Milton inflicted on the City Pier in 2024, ferry service in Anna Maria remains suspended until a new City Pier walkway is built.
The DOGE letter also requests information about the county’s property management efforts and the purchase or sale of any public-owned property, specifically, the county’s recently announced $24 million purchase of an existing building in Lakewood Ranch to be used for expanded county government operations. The July 24 letter was received before county commissioners’
unanimous July 29 decision to buy the 39-acre Mixon Fruit Farms property and wedding venue in east Bradenton for $13.5 million.
DOGE also seeks detailed information about:
• county procurement processes and policies;
• contracts awarded in excess of $10,000 and the vendors awarded those contracts;
• compensation paid to county employees;
• the county utilities system;
• the county’s diversity, equity and inclusion programs and efforts;
• county expenditures related to climate change, emissions reduction or carbon reduction, including the purchase of battery-powered electric vehicles;
• grants and matching grants received by the county;
• the county’s rules and policies regarding government vehicle allowances, including a list of all county personnel making use of a take-home vehicle;
• the county’s Government Relations department, including job descriptions and departmental expenditures to date;
• project descriptions, budgeted costs, actual costs and cost overruns or savings for county transportationrelated capital projects that began, remain ongoing or have been completed since Jan. 1, 2023;
• the installation, initial costs and maintenance costs and estimated life cycle for all traffic calming devices, included but not limited to speed tables, speed humps, raised intersections, curb extensions and chokers; and
• homeless services provided by the county, the effectiveness of those efforts and any grant funds provided to other agencies that assist the homeless.
CITY OF HOLMES BEACH | SUBMITTED
Waterfront property owners can add seawall caps to existing seawalls to increase their height.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN Seawall heights vary from property to property.
FLORIDA DOGE | SUBMITTED Gov. Ron DeSantis created the Florida Department of Government Efficiency in February.
Anna Maria Elementary speed zone cameras installed
School speed zone violators will soon be subject to $100 fines.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH – Prior to the start of the new school year on Monday, Aug. 11, new speed zone cameras have been installed near Anna Maria Elementary school.
According to Police Chief Bill Tokajer, the automated speed detection devices will only be operational when the yellow caution lights are flashing during the morning and afternoon student drop-off and pickup periods. Tokajer said a 30-day grace period will be in effect to give motorists time to adjust to the new automated speed detection activities. After the 30-day grace period expires in early September,
violators who exceed the posted 15 mph speed limit by 10 mph or more will be issued speeding tickets that carry a $100 fine.
The Florida Legislature’s adoption of House Bill 657 in 2023 authorized the use of speed detection systems to ticket drivers exceeding the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph.
In August 2024, the Manatee County Commission-approved school speed zone camera program was launched but speed cameras were not installed at Anna Maria Elementary. In February, public outcry about the speed cameras being operational during the entire school day prompted county commissioners to adjust the program’s operational hours to 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after the start and end of regularly scheduled
school sessions. On March 4, county commissioners voted to end the speed camara program entirely. The program ended on March 6 and all citations issued through March 5 remained valid.
According to the county
press release, the county’s school speed zone program resulted in 55,243 notices of violation being issued to motorists. As of March 4, 22,292 drivers paid the $100 fine. At the time, 4,051 violations were still awaiting law enforcement
review and 45 violations were to be addressed during a special magistrate hearing held later that month.
NEW FENCING
New security fencing now surrounds the AME property at 4700 Gulf Drive. Most of the fencing installed along the front of the school property is black metal rail fencing that stands between waist and chest high. The north end of the front of the school property features higher, black metal chain link fencing. The rest of the property is surrounded by higher, silver, chain link fencing. According to Tokajer, the Parent Teacher Association helped fund the more decorative rail fencing installed along the front of the school property.
Of fer valid on select standby generators. Generator must be purchased between July 15th and September 5th with installation by the end of the year
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Automated speed zone cameras were installed near Anna Maria Elementary.
The Anna Maria Island Sun Staff
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General Manager
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Advertising Director
Shona Otto
Classified Ads
Bob Alexander
Graphics
Elaine Stroili
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Distribution
Bob Alexander
Tony McNulty
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Accounting
Leslie Ketchum
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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.
John M Campora, ChFC®, CRPC™ Financial Advisor
6400 Manatee Ave West, Suite B Bradenton, FL 34209 941-779-2499
ON THE AGENDA
ANNA MARIA
10005 GULF DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-6130
Visit www.cityofannamaria. com or contact city hall for more information.
Thursday, Aug. 14, 1 p.m., City Commission meeting
BRADENTON BEACH
107 GULF DRIVE N. FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-778-1005
Visit www.cityofbradentonbeach.com or contact city hall for more information.
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 9 a.m., Community Redevelopment Agency budget meeting Thursday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m., City Commission meeting
HOLMES BEACH
5801 MARINA DRIVE FOR INFORMATION, CALL 941-708-5800
Visit www.holmesbeachfl.org or contact city hall for more information.
Wednesday, Aug. 6, 3:30 p.m., Planning Commission meeting Thursday, Aug. 14, 10 a.m., Special Magistrate hearing.
CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION EPISCOPAL CHURCH 4408 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Sunday service 9:15 a.m.
CROSSPOINTE FELLOWSHIP
8605 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, Sunday service 9 a.m.
HARVEY MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH
300 Church Ave., Bradenton Beach, Sunday service 9:15 a.m.
ROSER MEMORIAL COMMUNITY CHURCH
512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, Sunday services 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m.
ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH
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.
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrates 40th anniversary
LaPensee Plumb
ing, Pools and Air serves Anna Maria Island, all of Manatee County and north ern Sarasota County.
BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com
HOLMES BEACH –LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air celebrated its 40th anniversary on Aug. 1.
Speaking by phone the following day from her summer home in Jasper, Georgia, semiretired company president Karen LaPensee said, “I’m so proud that this business has been a true part of the Island community for the last 40 years. The employees stayed with us long term and they helped us build this business into what it is. I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Karen’s husband, Mike LaPensee, founded LaPensee Plumbing in 1985.
“Mike had been a plumber for
General Manager/Vice-President Chad Schweitzer and Shawn (LaPensee) Shields now lead the LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air operations. The LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air headquarters and showroom are located at 401 Manatee Ave. in Holmes Beach.
many years. He hurt his back and as his injury got chronically worse he got to the point where he didn’t want to work for other people. He really wanted to start his own business,” Karen said. “I was pregnant with Shawn and about six months after she was born I joined him in the business. He had this cute little blue Datsun truck that was just the right size for him and the products he used. Our hope was
to have a good family business that could support us and allow Mike to have a successful career. I was working in nursing and the business allowed me to stay home and raise the children.”
The couple operated their upstart plumbing company from their Anna Maria home for 2½ years before moving into the Holmes Beach Business Center, where they stayed for about eight years. Then
| SUN
then moved across the street to a space in the S&S Plaza now occupied by AMI Health & Fitness.
In 2008, LaPensee Plumbing moved to its current company headquarters and product showroom at 401 Manatee Ave. in Holmes Beach. The company began offering swimming pool remodeling, resurfacing, repair and maintenance services in
2008; and for a time, offered pool construction services.
LaPensee Plumbing and Pools added air conditioning services and repairs in 2015 and they also offer water heater sales and installations.
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air services Anna Maria Island, Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, all of Manatee County and northern Sarasota County and also serves as a plumbing subcontractor for other custom home builders.
After Mike retired in 2009, Karen and their son, Greg LaPensee, ran the company until Greg passed away in 2021 due to complications from the COVID-19 virus. Shawn Shields and General Manager/VicePresident Chad Schweitzer now oversee the company’s daily operations, with Todd McCollum guiding the air conditioning department and Karen still weighing in on high-level decisions as needed.
JOE HENDRICKS
LAPENSEE: Celebrates 40th anniversary
FROM PAGE 8
Regarding the milestone anniversary, Karen said, “The customers have made us what we are. We have some truly loyal business and residential clients that have been very supportive. It makes me proud that we have good friends that are also our clients. Supporting the community has also always been extremely important to us and the community center (The Center of Anna Maria Island) has always been a big focus for us.”
The company’s support of The Center includes hosting the annual fundraising Greg LaPensee Bowling Tournament that will take place on Saturday, Sept. 6, and again benefit The Center – with Karen in attendance.
NEXT GENERATION
As a small token of appreciation, the LaPensee employees were treated to lunch catered by Mission BBQ on Friday. While sitting in her office before lunch was served, Shields discussed the family business.
Serving as the company secretary, Sheilds assumed many of the duties previously handled by her mom, including employee payroll and benefits, property management and more. She first worked in the family business from 2008 through 2011 and then got married and moved to the Caribbean for a few years. She returned to the area and the family business in 2015 and later this year she’ll celebrate her own 40th birthday.
“The business and I are the same age. It’s a big year for both of us,” she said.
JOE HENDRICKS | SUN
Above, Shawn, Mike, Karen and Greg LaPensee in 2015. Right, Mike LaPensee loved being a plumber.
Regarding the changes that occurred in recent years, Shields said, “Greg’s passing was a shock and that took some readjustment. My dad was already retired and Greg and my mom were running the business. We had to get used to some new normals without Greg being here. Chad’s been with us for 18 years. He was Greg’s right hand and he oversaw the plumbing division, so it was a natural choice to move Chad into the role of general manager. He handles all the day-to-day operations regarding the personnel, issues in the field and issues with customers. He also holds our pool license and our plumbing license – and plumbing is still our bread and butter.”
LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air currently has 53 employees and Shields said they’d be fully staffed with 60.
“We couldn’t do it without our employees. They are our backbone. Without good employees, you won’t make it far,” she said.
While standing in the showroom area that features a wide variety of sinks and faucets, Schweitzer said, “I’m impressed with the overall growth of the business and by how much the company has done for the community during the past 40 years. I’ve been here for 18 years and when I started it was at the other location, next to Minnie’s (Beach Café). Call us for any and everything that has to do with plumbing, pools and air.”
“We’re thankful and grateful to this community for keeping us going for 40 years and here’s to another 40,” Shields said.
Learn more about LaPensee Plumbing, Pools and Air at www. lapenseeplumbing.com or call 941-778-5622.
Frontier expands high-speed fiber internet on AMI
Frontier Communications is expanding access to fiber optic internet service in Holmes Beach as part of the company’s project that is already underway in Anna Maria and Bradenton Beach. On July 29, Holmes Beach Development Services Coordinator Kim Charron a notice from Frontier regarding the upcoming installation work. The notice was then distributed to several city staff members and the mayor and city commissioners.
“Frontier plans to bring high-speed, fiber connectivity to homes and businesses throughout Anna Maria Island. This work is part of its commitment to upgrading the broadband infrastructure in the communities impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Frontier is set to begin its fiber build later this month, and construction is expected to be completed by the end of the year. You will see Frontier crews working in the public right of way during business hours until all work is complete and restored back to its original condition. Frontier is committed to keeping residents informed as construction progresses and will work closely with the city of Holmes Beach to minimize disruptions,” according to the notice. In her email,
Charron said, “The project is almost complete in Anna Maria and they will begin in Holmes Beach next week and is expected to take 4-6 weeks. Frontier will have signs and door hangers they will put out that will have a website link, a phone number and a QR code if people have questions.” On July 24, Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short told city commissioners about the Frontier fiber optic line installations currently occurring throughout the city. When contacted last week by The Sun, Mayor John Chappie said Frontier is currently doing similar installation work in Bradenton Beach.
941-778-0414 • 512 Pine Ave, Anna Maria
FRONTIER | SUBMITTED
High number of hatchling disorientations reported
Turtle Watch asks those along the beaches to minimize interior and exterior lights that can be seen from the beach and cause sea turtle disorientation.
BY LESLIE LAKE SUN CORRESPONDENT | llake@amisun.com
ANNA MARIA ISLAND - Anna
Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring volunteers are checking nests every morning to look for the bowl-like depression in the sand and signature hatchling tracks that indicate that a nest has hatched.
“Turtle Watch has been seeing a high number of hatches, but also unfortunately most of the tracks they are seeing do not lead directly to the water,” Turtle Watch Executive
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 174 miles in the Gulf of Mexico since she was satellitetagged and released after nesting on Coquina Beach on June 23 and 23 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.
SUBMITTED
Director Kristen Mazzarella wrote in an Aug. 1 email. “This is because lights that can be seen from the beach are disorienting hatchlings.”
Disorientations occur when hatchlings follow artificial light instead of the light of the night sky. The hatchlings following the artificial light expend the important energy they need for swimming and often wander into dangerous areas such as swimming pools and roads or dehydrate or get picked up by predators.
“We had 30 more disorientations this week, bringing our total to 60 hatchling disorientations,” Mazzarella wrote. “We need everyone's help to stop these numbers from going up and make sure our hatchlings find their way safely to the Gulf.”
She asks people along the beach to
use turtle friendly-bulbs and shields on any exterior lights or turn them off. Interior lights can also be a problem, so close blinds and redirect any lights so they cannot be seen through windows.
“Once hatchlings have disoriented, they are often led astray even further by all the lights that couldn't be seen from the beach, so even if your property is away from the beach, it helps to be turtle friendly. If you see a house with lights that can be seen from the beach, take a photo and report it to local code enforcement,” she wrote.
She asks residents to program the 24/7 Turtle Watch hotline (941-3018434) into their phones in case they find an adult turtle or hatchling in distress.
TURTLE TIPS
During sea turtle season, May 1 – Oct. 31, follow these tips to help turtles:
• Turn off lights visible from the beach and close blinds from sundown to sunrise; lights confuse nesting sea turtles and may cause them to go back to sea and drop their eggs in the water, where they won’t hatch. Light can also attract hatchlings away from the water.
• Don’t use flashlights, lanterns or camera flashes on the beach at night.
• Remove all beach chairs and other objects from the sand from sundown to sunrise; they can deter sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings.
• Fill in the holes you dig in the sand before leaving the beach; they can trap nesting and hatching sea turtles, which cannot live long out of the water. You might also accidentally
dig into an unmarked nest. To report large holes or other turtle obstacles, call:
• City of Anna Maria code enforcement — 941-708-6130, ext. 111.
• City of Bradenton Beach code enforcement — 941-778-1005, ext. 227.
• City of Holmes Beach code enforcement — 941-778-0331, ext. 260.
• Level sandcastles before leaving the beach; they can block hatchlings from the water.
• Don’t use balloons, wish lanterns or fireworks; they litter the beach and Gulf, and turtles can ingest the debris.
• Do not trim trees and plants that shield the beach from lights.
• Never touch a sea turtle; it’s the law. If you see people disturbing turtles, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Wildlife Alert hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Source: Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring
ALEXIS DEMETROPOULOS | SUBMITTED Loggerhead sea turtle hatchlings at sunrise.
BEACH BEAT
BRADENTON BEACH
July 26, 12:48 a.m., 1600 Block Gulf Drive. Assist other agency, speeding. Police observed a vehicle at the s-curve on Gulf Drive speeding. Officers initiated a traffic stop but the vehicle continued southbound over the Longboat Key Bridge. Police said the car crossed over to the wrong side of the road, striking curbs on the bridge, causing fishermen to jump out of the way.
The driver pulled over after crossing the bridge. The man emitted a strong odor of alcohol and had dried blood on his forehead. The MCSO traffic unit took the man into custody.
July 28, 2 p.m., 200 Block Gulf Drive. Battery. A woman reported to police that while sitting at an MCAT bus stop, she said she was approached by a male who appeared to be homeless, was agitated and possibly intoxicated. She told police that the male punched her three times under her left eye. The victim told police that the man then grabbed her phone and smashed it to the ground, exposed himself and walked away. The male was located by police and
identified by the victim. He was charged with battery, exposure of sexual organs and criminal mischief.
HOLMES BEACH
July 23, 6 a.m., North Pointe Drive. Grand theft of motor vehicle. Owners of a 2020 grey Jeep Wrangler reported it was missing in the morning, having seen it the night before. Police reviewed security footage, and reportedly saw a male walk up to the vehicle, check the door handles, enter the vehicle and drive off. The owners reported that the keys had been left in the vehicle. Another neighbor told police that one of
his vehicles had been rifled through, but nothing was taken. Police took fingerprints and DNA samples from that vehicle. July 24, 8 a.m., 5300 block of Gulf Drive. Suspicious circumstance. During a business audit, the business owner noticed employee W9 forms and $2,300 in petty cash were missing. The business owner told police he believed a subcontracted employee who was fired in April may have stolen the items. He said the employee has been sending threatening messages to current employees and was reportedly in possession of keys to the building. The former employee reportedly had expressed a desire for revenge against the company.
Arrest made, charges issued for fatal ferry collision
Detour at roundabout
Largo resident Jeff Knight was arrested on July 28 and charged with eight felony counts of leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury and death after the 37-foot power boat he was piloting collided with a Clearwater Ferry boat in Pinellas County on April 27. The collision resulted in the death of ferry passenger José Castro and significant injuries suffered by seven additional ferry passengers. Knight also faces a misdemeanor charge of failure to maintain a safe speed and proper lookout. During a July 29 press conference, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Southwest Regional Commander Major Evan Laskowski said Knight was arrested without incident at the Clearwater Airport upon his return from the Bahamas, transported to the Pinellas County Jail and released on a $40,000 bond. Laskowski said one felony count was issued for Castro’s death and additional felony counts were issued for each of the seven passengers that required medical treatment beyond first aid. “Our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragic accident, especially the family of José Castro,” Laskowski said. Dennis Kimerer, the captain of the ferry boat, was charged with failing to maintain a working stern light at the time of the collision. The Clearwater Ferry company is owned and operated by Trisha and Dennis Rodriguez and contracted by the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority. The couple also operates the Gulf Islands Ferry service contracted by Manatee County. Kimerer’s Facebook page notes he’s a captain for both of the Rodriguez’s ferry operations. Knight
The Bradenton Beach Police Department has issued a traffic detour alert for Aug. 5-7. Due to work along Gulf Drive from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on those days, northbound traffic on Gulf Drive will be detoured before the Bridge Street roundabout through the historic district. Southbound traffic will not be detoured but could still be affected. Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time through the area south of Cortez Road.
Reel Time on The Road: The Center for Coastal Studies
Reel Time
n a trip to Cape Cod for a family wedding in July, my wife, Christine, and I were invited by Jeanne Leszczynski to tour the Center for Coastal Studies in Provincetown. Leszczynski, a friend from Longboat Key, is a longtime supporter of the Center and serves on the executive committee. Founded in 1976 by Dr. Graham Giese, Dr. Charles “Stormy” Mayo, and Dr. Barbara Shuler Mayo, the three scientists brought together their expertise in geology and marine biology to establish a member supported nonprofit dedicated to understanding, preserving, and protecting marine ecosystems and coastal environments through applied research, education, and public policy.
The Center grew from a small attic-based science program in 1971 to a 12,000-square-foot state-of-the-art marine laboratory that employs 40 staff members and is sustained by dozens of adjunct and citizen scientists today.
During that time the Center has branched out from wave and erosion studies to seabed mapping, whale biology, seal and fisheries monitoring, water quality monitoring, marine debris response and entanglement rescue. Some of the CCS’s premier focus is currently on whale research and includes:
• Humpback Whale Studies: One of the world’s longest-running baleen whale monitoring programs;
• Right Whale Ecology: Critical work studying North Atlantic right whales, a species with critically low population numbers (fewer than ~372 individuals). They see ~80% of them annually in Cape Cod Bay;
• MAER (Marine Animal Entanglement Response): Globally recognized
whale-and-sea-turtle disentanglement team operating 24/7; they train other nations’ responders and design tools used worldwide; and
• Marine Debris and “Ghost Gear” Removal: CCS coordinates cleanups
across Cape communities, tracks trash via “Beach Brigade” volunteers and received $2.7M NOAA funding for debris recovery across the Gulf of Maine.
RUSTY CHINNIS
RUSTY CHINNIS | SUN Center for Coastal Studies Development Director Sue Nickerson, left, tells the tour participants the story of Spinnaker, the whale in the Center’s exhibition hall.
REEL TIME: On the road: The Center for Coastal Studies
PAGE 14
Another focus of the Center is on education and community engagement. They offer guided nature programs like “Science in the Harbor” aboard Dolphin Fleet boats blending sonar mapping, marine wildlife, habitat data and coastal history. They also host public outreach events (e.g. Massachusetts Right Whale Day), winter lecture series, school programs and hands-on field walks reaching over 20,000 people annually. The tour was led by the Center’s Development Director Sue Nickerson, who has been very instrumental in the organization’s outreach and growth. “As luck would have it” Suncoast Waterkeeper’s newest board member and the new development committee chair Tom Waite (who has a summer home in Mashpee)
was able to join us for the tour. The Center, located at Five Holway Avenue in Provincetown, houses the Hiebert Marine Laboratory and features an impressive 37-foot skeleton of a humpback whale named Spinnaker. The whale, which was found dead after being disentangled multiple times by the Center’s staff is a poignant reminder of the Center’s critical work.
During the tour we got an inside look at the Center’s current work and were hosted by the lead scientists in the different departments. Everyone was impressed by the dedication of the those working there and the science being done. If you’re on the Cape, a visit to the Center is an experience you won’t soon forget, one that will inspire you to be part of the effort to preserve our marine world for current and future generations.
OBITUARIES
Carl Dudley Austin
Carl Dudley Austin, age 87, passed away on Sunday, July 27, 2025.
Austin was the beloved husband of Kathryn Dellinger Austin; loving father of Karen (Dan) Gormley, Kelly (Scott Hurwitz) Austin and Craig (Lynn) Austin; proud grandfather of Molly and Will Austin and Sadie and Leah Hurwitz; cherished brother of Diane (Tony) Jabaley and Cynthia (the late Robert) Daughtry; and wise and fun-loving uncle to many nieces and nephews.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents, Condee Austin and Adelaide Irving Austin; brother, Randall (Judy) Austin; and sisters, Ruth (the late Harald) Bowman, Pam (the late Paul) Strode, and Joyce Bowman.
A memorial service is planned for Sunday, Aug. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Brown County Inn, 51 State Road 46E, Nashville, Indiana.
Lori (Loretta) Sefcik
Lori (Loretta) Sefcik, 90, former resident of Holmes Beach and Cortez, passed away with family
by her side in Bradenton on July 7, 2025.
Born in Lima, Ohio on June 13, 1935 to the late William and Eleanor Ortman of South Bend, Indiana, Lori retired to Holmes Beach in 2001 with her late husband, Coach George Sefcik, who attended high school at Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, where he played football and baseball. George was a National Football League offensive coach for 29 years and appeared in two Super Bowls. He was also a college football coach for nine years.
Lori is survived by her son, Martin Annis of Holmes Beach, Florida; and her daughter, Tracy (Christos Kartson) Annis of Strongsvillle, Ohio. She is preceded in death by her son, Jeffrey Annis of South Bend, Indiana.
We sincerely thank Dr. Scott Kosfeld of Island Family Physicians in Holmes Beach for his kindness, compassion and care throughout the previous 24 years and the caregivers at The Villas of Holly Brook (59th Street West), Surrey Place and Tidewell Hospice in Bradenton. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
REAL ESTATE
The property closing dance
There are all kinds of issues that can arise between signing a contract for sale and the actual closing. Realtors always say don’t spend your commis sion ‘til the check is in your hand, and that is good advice.
The first thing as both a seller and buyer you should do if the buyer has a mortgage contingency is to get a full prequalification of the buyer’s financial position and their ability to get a mortgage. The next stumbling block is the property appraising, again if there is a mortgage contingency. Lenders will not loan money for a property that does not have the value that was agreed upon between the buyer and seller. If this happens, a compromise can be reached by the buyer upping their down payment or the seller reducing the price of the home.
Castles in the Sand
is placed on the market as an enhanced marketing tool and a heads up for sellers if there are potential problems.
to help and advise you, and the majority of the time everything goes smoothly.
The dreaded home inspection applies to all sales and is where everyone in the transaction holds their breath. Licensed inspectors are checking primarily for
structural damage to the property, wood destroying organisms and mold. In addition, home inspectors also check systems including septic, electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning and appliances. Frequently issues that come up in a home inspection are the result of deferred maintenance.
Usually, an agreement can be made between buyer and seller to either repair the defect or to give the buyer the funds to do the repairs. However, if an agreement can’t be reached, the transaction is canceled and the parties go their separate ways. It’s not uncommon for sellers to obtain their own home inspection at the time the property
The final step prior to closing is purchasing title insurance. There are two types of policies: One is the owner’s policy, which protects the owner if there are any future title issues, and the other is the lender’s policy protecting the lender, required if you are getting a mortgage. The premium for title insurance is a one-time fee issued only after the title company has conducted a search of the public records and cleared the title for any liens or restrictions that would affect ownership.
After you’ve finished the closing dance, the closing paperwork will be concluded, the deed recorded and the new owner usually walks away with the keys to the property and takes possession immediately. Like every aspect of a property sale, it sounds more complicated than it is. There are a variety of professionals along the way
A final note about the national sales statistics for June reported by the National Association of Realtors. The number of properties sold were at a ninemonth low, completely decimating the spring sales season. However, sale prices rose to $435,300, a record in data going back to 1999. As a comparison, Manatee County single-family home median home sale price for June was $440,000, down 15.2% from last June.
With the home prices high and interest rates not moving, buyers are sitting back and not making purchasing decisions. The one glimmer of hope is a possible rate cut in September at the Federal Reserve’s next meeting.
Meanwhile, if you are fortunate enough to be in contract on a property, be aware of all the pitfalls that can creep up before you get to the closing table. And if you’re not, chill out at the beach.
LOUISE BOLGER
APPEAL: hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking
are allowed to park at the razed parcels; and
• On March 14, a portion of the parking lot was reopened for parking at the rate of $50 per car per day. City Code Enforcement Officer Evan Harbus told the Lupers that all parking at the razed parcels must cease as they were in violation of the city code.
• On March 16, Luper applied for temporary parking.
• At an April 17 hearing, the city commission placed the following stipulations on the property:
o Parking at the razed parcels (the lot where the bungalows were) is permitted for a period of one year or 30 days from the issuance of a building permit;
o Parking at the razed parcels is limited to 17 parking spaces per TPLE (Transient Public Lodging Establishment) license;
o No trailers, recreational vehicles, campers, or buses are allowed to park at the razed parcels, and no tailgating, overnight parking, or paid parking shall be conducted;
o Only employees, agents, or registered guests of the resort
o Parking at the razed parcels is limited to 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. enforced by a towing service secured by Luper.
Luper Enterprises filed a lawsuit against the city of Bradenton Beach on April 25 and the city filed a request for dismissal of that lawsuit on May 21.
OPENING STATEMENTS
“We had a city commission meeting that occurred on April 17 on the question of a parking permit that was going to be a temporary permit,” said attorney John Anthony of Tampa-based Anthony and Partners, representing Luper. “Our client requested of (Bradenton Beach City Planner) Luis Serna to opine or whether or not it was required because as a practical matter under the Land Development Code where involuntary destruction occurs like the hurricanes you can build back so long as you haven’t stopped continuous activity We originally heard verbally that was not going to be
a problem and why the city went back on that, we don’t know, but it should not have.”
Anthony said the resort website never went down and the duplex continued to have guests.
He said the city commission has an “irrational fear” that the parking lot will remain permanently.
are marketed and operation that spans multiple properties and parcels with different uses and different licensing.”
“The two parcels at 2000 Gulf Drive are licensed by the state as a hotel, the two units that are in the structure at 2104 Gulf Drive are licensed by the state as a transient apartment and the duplex across the street is licensed by the state as a vacation rental. The single-family parcel that is north at 2108 is licensed by the state as a transient apartment,” Lincoln said. “You have a situation where it’s not only physically separated but in the case of the duplex parcel, it’s physically separated and has a different zoning classification.”
“She spent all the money to clear that rapidly with the idea that she was going to park there,” Anthony said. “It wasn’t just parking for parking sake, but parking to keep the business going. To say you need a permit to do what you’ve already been doing, that to me is capricious and inconsistent.”
“The Luper parties have obtained the financing, have gotten the plans, have even run the plans as far back as 2017 in the event of a hurricane,” Anthony said. “They did everything they could to secure build back better before there was even a hurricane.”
Attorney Robert Lincoln, representing the city, characterized Bungalow Beach Resort as “marketing fiction that encompasses the way that they
Lincoln said the distinction is important because nothing has continued to operate on the razed parcels.
“All the structures were seriously damaged by the hurricanes and then demolished,” he said. “There isn’t a resort for zoning purposes. The code is clear; you
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
From left, attorney Charles Preston and Gayle Luper watch while attorney John Anthony addresses Special Master Marisa Powers at the appeal hearing.
Betsy Hagan
Joe McCall
Chelsea Oelker
Kathy Harman
Dee Munn
Laura Rulon
George Myers
Suzy Korinek
Amy Ward
Hannah Hillyard
APPEAL: hearing held on Bungalow Beach Resort parking
FROM PAGE 17
don’t get to use your land when it’s vacant. There are no accessory uses to a vacant parcel of land. There are no primary uses to a vacant parcel of land so there’s no right to park there as an accessory use to the prior hotel activities.”
“They were told clearly by staff you need a temporary use permit to use the property. They don’t like the conditions. The conditions are reasonable and need to be upheld,” Lincoln said. “What their argument comes down to is we want to make money off the property while there’s no resort running on it and we want to assert we have a right to do that.”
PUBLIC COMMENT
Angela Rodocker, owner of hotels at 100 Bridge St. and 1301 Gulf Drive N., read from a statement that stated in part: “As a hotelier on Bradenton Beach, I see this decision regarding Bungalow Beach Resort as potential for future concern for any
hotelier located in a R3 Zone, which are many.”
Rodocker noted that the Bungalow Beach Resort has never stopped operating and intends to continue operating as a hotel over all parcels of land and said other hotels on and around Anna Maria Island sell day passes to guests without rooms.
“I believe that the commissioners, with the city’s best interest at heart, made a terrible mistake.”
She said the resort fee parking is critical for the Bungalow Beach Resort at a time when the beachside buildings are obviously not bringing in income.
Approximately 40 emails were sent to the city clerk in support of Luper. Runaway Bay resident Marilee Erickson spoke in favor of maintaining the city’s April decision.
LUPER TESTIFIES
Luper said that prior to the hurricanes, every resort guest has been charged a resort fee.
LESLIE LAKE | SUN
Special Master Marisa Powers presided over the quasi-judicial hearing.
submitted plans to the city in 2017 to rebuild in the event of a hurricane and that she would now complete those plans.
Luper said she planned to continue the resort fees she had been charging to generate income to help with salaries and rebuilding.
She said she was first told by the city permit clerk that a parking permit was needed and then was told by the city planner that she didn’t need one.
sign on the property, he told Luper’s son, Jason, that he needed to clear the property of cars and he would need to come down to city hall and apply for a temporary use permit.
Harbus said he has enforced similar parking violations in unpermitted
Anthony: “Do you write the code?”
Harbus: “No.”
Anthony: “Do you construe the code like a lawyer?”
Harbus: “I follow the city ordinance and land development code and property maintenance code.”
Anthony: “You were asked whether or not you did the same thing for this property as you do for other properties that are in a code violation. Give an example of a code violation where you towed or shut down a property.”
She described the devastation from Hurricane Helene to the waterfront bungalows.
“We found parts of our hotel five or six blocks away, it just devastated the buildings,” Luper said. “All the sand went into the bungalows to the point if you pulled the sand out the buildings would have fallen down.”
She said she let her staff know that she had
“We opened parking March 14 for just a couple hours and Evan Harbus shut us down,” Luper said.
The commission’s April 17 decision by default precludes Luper’s family and friends from using the parking area, Luper said.
Luper estimated she lost about $200,000 in resort fee parking that would have been used toward rebuilding.
CITY STAFF TESTIMONY
Harbus said that upon seeing the paid parking
Harbus: “We’ve had numerous pop up paid parking lots appear in the city in the past and we’ve had to shut them down. I’ve dealt with that with the old building official before Bill Palmer.”
City Planner Luis Serna testified that he didn’t recall granting approvals or giving specific direction.
“They’re seeking to redevelop the site,” Serna said. “They made the major development application; it hasn’t been reviewed.”
KINGFISH: New book revisits 1980 boat ramp murders
his brother-in-law Raymond Barrows, who was visiting from Miami, survived being shot and later provided an eyewitness account of what happened. Not related to the Dumois family, retired Air Force Col. Robert Matzke encountered the shooter minutes later at the nearby Foodway supermarket – where Publix is now located – where he was shot and killed before the shooter escaped in a car driven by an accomplice.
THE SHOOTINGS
According to Cross’s book, the Tampa-based Dumois family was vacationing in Holmes Beach when the shootings occurred and Dumois’ wife, Maria, and their two other children, Anna Maria and Juan Dumois III, decided to not go fishing that fateful day. When interviewed on July 31, Cross said Maria, now in her 80s, and Dr. Juan Dumois III, a practicing infectious disease physician, still live in Tampa but he didn’t have the heart to contact
ALAN CROSS | SUBMITTED
“Tales from the Island: The Kingfish Boat Ramp Murders” is for sale locally and can also be purchased at Amazon.com. Featured in Alan Cross’s book, this old wanted poster features an artist’s rendering of the suspected shooter.
them about the murders of their loved ones.
According to the book, when the Holmes Beach Police Department interviewed Barrows at Blake Hospital in Bradenton, Barrows said they were pulling Dumois’ boat from the water when a stranger approached and said he’d injured his ankle and needed a ride to a nearby condominium. After placing his bicycle in the boat, the stranger
took a seat in the back of Dumois’ station wagon. As Dumois drove west on Manatee Avenue toward Manatee Beach with Barrows in the passenger seat, it’s believed the shooter first shot Barrows from behind, then shot the two boys in the back seat and then shot Dr. Dumois as he drove and turned around to confront the gunman.
After Dr. Dumois was shot, the station wagon crashed into a tree
along the north side of the road by the entrance of the nearby Westbay Cove condominiums and the boat trailer came to rest jack-knifed against the car. According to the book, the killer fled across the street to the Foodway supermarket on his bicycle, where he encountered Matzke, who confronted him but then tried to flee in his Fiat convertible when he saw the man was armed. The gunman shot Matzke in the back of the head as he drove away and Matzke’s car crashed into another vehicle. Police said the crime scene evidence was completely compromised by bystanders and those who tried to assist the shooting victims.
COLD CASE
Cross, a retired respiratory therapist, first heard about the fatal shootings when a local TV station did a mini-documentary about 10 years ago and he also read newspaper stories that revisited the 1980s shooting spree. Approaching it like a college research paper, he started his research about two years ago
and spent endless hours on the internet, searching library and historical records, reviewing police interview transcripts and eyewitness accounts, reading old newspaper stories and viewing old newspaper photos. Cross said there’s a lot of information out there about the shootings and his book is an attempt to compile that information in a single source.
Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, Det. Josh Fleisher and Holmes Beach resident and city commissioner Carol Whitmore are among those acknowledged at the front of the book. Cross said Whitmore helped him gain access to Holmes Beach Police Department evidence box that still contains evidence from the 1980 shootings. He was allowed to view, but not open, the sealed evidence bags. He was also allowed to access folders and photographs contained in the evidence box and he said the police department provided him with a flash drive containing additional information.
FUN IN THE SUN
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I HAVE SANDBAGS. Need filled and delivered in Holmes Beach. $2.00 per bag. Penney 941-9936485
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BOAT FOR SALE 198 Tidewater, center console ,115 Horse Power, Yamaha 4 Stroke Only 380 hours. Always serviced Bimini cushions clean. With Trailer. $25,900 OBO.- Call 213-221-5801
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HURRICANE DAMAGE?
I’m an Island resident. Pressure washing, tree work, fence repair, mailbox replacement. Also see ads under “Landscaping & painting. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
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HATE TO COOK? Long time Island resident. Can help with cooking, laundry and many things around your house. Many compliments on cooking. References available. Please Call or Text 941685-0045.
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R. GAROFALO’S Interlocking brick pavers, driveways, patios, pool decks. Free estimates. Licensed & Insured. Call Rafael 941-778-4823 or Veronik 941-526-7941
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MARTIN’S MOVING YOUR Island movers! Offering dependable, competitive rates. No hidden costs. 941-8095777.
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PAINT! PAINT! AND MORE 28 years of experienced interior/exterior custom painting. Pressure cleaning, drywall repairs and texture finishes. Many Island references. Please call Neil for free estimates. 941-812-0507
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Established 1980 Prompt quality service. Wallpaper installation/ removal. Mary Bell Winegarden 941-794-0455
DONALD PERKINS ABRACADABRA PAINTING LLC fully insured. 30 years experience. Many Island references. Call 941-705-7096
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING SERVICES. Prompt & Reliable. Island Resident. Quality Workmanship. Interior/Exterior. Minor repairs & carpentry. Free estimates. Bill Witaszek 941-307-9315
TRUE TONE PAINTING. Painting, power washing, epoxy floors and more, No job too small. Please call 941-224-4020 www. truetonepainting.com
PEST CONTROL
ANNA MARIA PEST
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POOL SERVICES
FOUR SEASONS POOL SERVICE AND CHEMICAL SERVICES. Certified Pool Operator. 18 + Years Experience. Residential/commercial. Chemical Service Licensed & Insured. Call Dennis Clark 941-7375657
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FOR SALE - PERICO
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YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS this rare opportunity to live on Anna Maria Island. Please call the office at 941-778-1979 to see this 2BR/2BA $2975/ mo renovated home with a beautifully landscaped large backyard.
AMI Annual Rental
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RENTALS: SEASONAL & VACATION
ANNA MARIA ISLAND
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SEASONAL RENTAL in PALMA SOLA. 3BR/2BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Barb Grace 941201-2190
Farrington, Howcroft victorious in the pits
Tom Farrington, left, teamed up with Gary Howcroft on July 30 and they ended up in the winner's circle after posting the only 3-0 record during pool play at Anna Maria Horseshoes. On Aug. 2, two teams squared off in the final after each went 3-0. Farrington and Tim Sofran jumped out to an early lead and cruised to a 22-9 victory over Bob Hawks and Dom Livedoti to win the day’s competition
SNOW BIRD SPECIAL: DISCOUNT for multiple months. 2BR/2BA 2nd Floor Condo in HOLMES BEACH. POOL, Tennis/ Pickleball, in-unit laundry, WIFI, screened lanai, covered parking. AVAILABLE 2025/26 Season beginning December 2025. Beautiful, bayside seating area. Pool/Beach toys, Bikes included. Call Jack 312-835-2323 for more info/photos.
TOP FLOOR OCEAN VIEW 2BR/2BA rental available August 15th 3 month minimum rent. $5-10k prorated. Utilities included 201-317-6922 owner operated
SEASONAL RENTAL on Sarasota Bay. Great location, beautiful neighborhood 2BR/1BA weekly or monthly rates. Contact Vicky or Taylor. 941-7731552.
TRANSPORTATION
ANYTIME TRANSPORTATION to all Airports, Casino, etc. Tampa/St. Pete $85. Sarasota $40. Pets welcome. Very dependable. Reasonable rates. Contact Jeanne. 941-7795095
KINGFISH: New book revisits 1980 boat ramp murders
FROM PAGE 20
“They were very helpful,” Cross said. He said the heinous nature of the shootings didn’t really hit home until he examined the evidence box: “That made it very real. Seeing the evidence shut me down for about a week. I had to process it all.”
Cross also obtained photos from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and other sources. His book also includes crime scene sketches, autopsy report diagrams and a copy of a wanted poster that featured an artist’s rendering of the shooting suspect.
The book details and theorizes about the investigative efforts that ensued to no avail, including Holmes Beach Police Chief Tom Shanafelt turning to a psychic and a hypnotist for assistance.
In 1982, Barrows died of a heart attack in the Miami area and the book addresses the possibility of drugs and mob involvement playing a role in the shootings.
“There’s a mob connection, a connection with the ‘cocaine cowboys’ of the 80s and there was speculation of a drug connection,” Cross said.
According to the book, in 1993 the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received a tip that lead them to interview confessed and incarcerated
mafia hitman Donald Frankos. The book includes a transcript of the interview conducted by the sheriff’s office, during which Frankos provided the names of the Cuban men he said ordered and carried out the Holmes Beach shootings because Barrows allegedly stole 55 kilos of cocaine. That interview did not lead to any arrests. Cross’s book doesn’t attempt to solve the murders but it does express his belief that the murders were a targeted attack and Barrows was the likely target.
On Aug. 1, Cross met The Sun at the Kingfish Boat Ramp for a photo session and he retraced approximately where the initial encounter with the killer occurred, the scene of the shootings and the crash scene that followed.
The “Kingfish Boat Ramp Murders” is the second book in Cross’s “Tales of the Island” series. The first is “Tales of the Island: The Naming of the Ugly Grouper and Other Lies From Anna Maria Island.” Available at the same sales points, the first book offers Cross’s whimsical and fictional takes on how the Holmes Beach restaurant got its name, how his son, Adam – a local bartender – got his nickname, “Duck,” and other re-imaginings of Island lore.
