Heritage happenings. 10 VOLUME 28, NO. 20
Patty Parade plans. 13
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Laughs lead players. 14 MARCH 11, 2020 Free
astheworldterns tune into AMI soap opera. 6 tourist tax collections keep climbing. 3 Vote early for “dem” and goP nominees. 4
Meetings. 4 anna Maria on hold for power at city pier. 5
the Best news on anna Maria island Since 1992
islander.org
racing on Palma sola Bay
coVid-19 cautions. 5
Opinions. 6 10-20 YEArs AGo
Looking back. 7
HB parks committee springs forward. 8 BB powers ahead with shuttle plan. 8
RoadWatch.
8
Happenings announcements.
Save the date. Home tour tickets go on sale. 5th-graders competing in tech challenge.
Gathering. Take 5:00: Bradenton Beach prevails in ballot battle.
Streetlife. fishing fest pulls in more than $244K. aM preservation board makes headway.
Like clockwork, spring sprung. Horseshoers throw annual tourney. Sheltered areas stoke results for anglers.
ISL BIZ:
PropertyWatch. classifieds.
NYT puzzle.
racers paddle March 7 as dragon boats await teams on the Palma Sola causeway at the first anna Maria island dragon Boat festival. Some local “community teams” joined 48 teams for the event. for more, see page 7. islander Photo: Lisa neff
Anna Maria puts halt on home building permits By Bonner Joy islander editor
The Anna Maria building department is taking a 60-day timeout. An emergency ordinance was adopted at an emergency meeting called for March 4 to discuss a proposal from the mayor to halt the issuance of building permits for homes, pools and additions to homes that increase lot coverage or square footage. After discussion among commissioners
and the mayor, building official Luke Curtis and contractor Frank Agnelli, who told the city he only happened to see the meeting advertised while “out on a walk,” the ordinance passed 4-1, with Commissioner Amy Tripp opposed. The mayor began his proposal by explaining the building department needs a timeout to address outdated codes for building in the city, as well as problems not addressed in the code that have become
spring break brings virus concerns By Sandy ambrogi islander reporter
With the beaches and lodgings of Anna Maria Island becoming more crowded as spring break gets into full swing, there comes a new concern for travelers amid the typical citations for alcohol beverages on the shore and raucous parties spilling from pools into neighborhoods. The new issue, coronavirus or Covid-19, may keep some folks closer to home this year. Colleges and universities across the country have called for students to reconsider traveling to a list of foreign destinations. And, if they do travel abroad, they are required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon return to the states. Ann Comer-Woods, director of marketing and communications for New College
EatHereFlorida.com (941) 778-0411 5315 Gulf Drive • Holmes Beach
evident due to the volume of permits being issued. The ordinance contains paragraphs of “whereas” statements outlining problems, including: • Dewatering, flooding and infrastructure damages. • Overcrowding in public areas due to increasing numbers of people in large residences.
PLeaSe, See permits, Page 3
Man charged with sex assault of a minor
of Florida in Sarasota, told The Islander the school is following the U.S. Centers for DisBy Leslie Lake ease Control guidelines. “We want students to check and see if islander reporter A Bradenton man was arrested Feb. 27 their destination is on the CDC watchlist before they travel. If the country is on the on two counts each of capital sexual battery list, 14 days at home in quarantine when they and molestation following allegations that return before they can return to campus,” he assaulted a child. William Erik Bobo, Comer-Woods said. 35, was arrested Feb. 27 in As for local businesses, shops, restauHolmes Beach on four warrants and accommodations appear to be rants, two for sexual battery thriving despite the virus concerns. on a child less than 12 years Dan Alderson and his family own two of age and two for lewd or Tyler’s Homemade Ice Cream shops — in lascivious molestation of a Bobo Cortez and on Longboat Key. child under 12 years of age “We started seeing college students a couple of weeks ago and they will be following an investigation by the Manatee growing in numbers throughout March County Sheriff’s Office that began in June and April,” Alderson told The Islander in 2019. According to the arrest warrant, the a March 5 interview. PLeaSe, See spring, Page 2
PLeaSe, See sex assault, Page 2