The Islander Newspaper E-Edition Wednesday, March. 18, 2020

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Bridge battle. 4 Pier planning. 5

Polling, results. 3

MARCH 18, 2020 free

VOLUME 28, NO. 21 Astheworldterns work on social distancing. 6

Meetings. 4 Census invites mailed. 4

Opinions. 6 10-20 YEARS AGO

Looking back. 7

MCAT touts tracking tech. 8

RoadWatch. 8 Legislature lingers amid CoVID-19 concerns. 9

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992

islander.org

COVID-19 cautions spark cancellations By Lisa Neff Islander editor

The datebook got messy. March 12 was the day Anna Maria Island groups and institutions announced the first round of event cancellations, taking precautions and safeguards as COVID-19, the new coronavirus, was declared a global

pandemic. Calls came into The Islander’s newspaper office. Notices arrived via email to editors’ accounts. And posts popped up on Facebook. First with a notice, the Artists’ Guild Gallery in Holmes Beach decided to cancel

the March 13 artists’ reception and paintaround fundraiser to help the nonprofit group raise rent money for the gallery. “I am sorry to bring you this news,” Sharon Tarras, AGAMI president said, citing “health risks posed by the coronavirus.” Soon after, Island Gallery West in PLeASe, See CANCellAtioNs, PAGe 2

AM hears pleas, revises building moratorium. 9

Happenings Announcements.

Check the date. School canceled until March 30.

d e l e c n

Where’s Tuna Street?

Gathering. Artist’s Guild seeks financial help.

GoodDeeds. HB ramps up for spring break.

Streetlife. County discusses Coquina trees.

Sunny, hot and keep your distance. Sports on AMI. Fishing runs hot for spring breakers.

ISL BIZ Buying, selling, opening on AMI.

PropertyWatch. Classifieds.

NYT puzzle.

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Rebecca Boughner of Fort Wayne, Indiana, exits the Artists’ Guild Gallery after browsing March 12. The gallery, operated by the Artists’ Guild of Anna Maria Island in the Island Shopping Center at 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach, canceled its reception and fundraiser March 13 due to concerns about CoVID-19. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff

Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages, 2710 Gulf Drive N., Holmes Beach, had no vacancies March 13, as spring breakers continued to arrive on Anna Maria Island. Islander Courtesy Photo: Alan Sneed

State, cities take measures against COVID-19 COVID-19 challenges By Ryan Paice state employees. Islander Reporter He also recommended local municipal- local, state tourism From the NBA to Anna Maria Island, the impact of COVID-19 is being felt almost everywhere. The state, county and all three cities on Anna Maria Island are taking precautions to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, which had infected 136 Florida residents and resulted in four deaths in the state as of March 16, according to the Florida Department of Health. Four confirmed cases of the coronavirus had been reported in Manatee County as of March 16. And, with 514 pending test results in the state on that date, the race to counter the virus was underway. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended nonessential travel March 12 for 30 days for

EatHereFlorida.com (941) 778-0411 5315 Gulf Drive • Holmes Beach

ities cancel mass gatherings. Some health agencies have described mass gatherings as 1,000 or more but others have said 50 or more people. DeSantis, who declared a state of emergency for COVID-19 by executive order March 9, said in a news release the state ordered an additional 2,500 test kits for the virus, allowing the health department to test up to 625,000 people. Manatee County commissioners also were set to consider declaring a state of emergency by executive order March 16, after The Islander’s press deadline. The county canceled workshops set for March 17 but said other events would be held and buildings would be open. That

PLeASe, See stAte, Cities, PAGe 3

By Sandy Ambrogi Islander Reporter

It seems if it’s not one thing it’s another. Tourism on Anna Maria Island bounced back after the red tide siege of 2018 and outperformed previous years of resort tax collections, but now businesses are facing the coronavirus crisis — COVID-19. Elliott Falcione, executive director of the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, has weathered hurricanes, red tides and other disruptions to the flow of business in Manatee County. Now he is negotiating messages dealing with a novel virus with no precedent. “We are communicating daily with PLeASe, See tourism, PAGe 5


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