The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, April. 29, 2020

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#aMitogether

VOLUME 28, NO. 27

APRIL 29, 2020 Free

the Best news on Anna maria island since 1992 astheworldterns slowly move forward. 6 county secures testing, coVid-19 cases rise. 2 county lifts overnight curfew. 3 round 2 of federal aid opens for businesses. 4

Meetings. 4

RoadWatch. 4 teacher powers up printer to help others. 5

Opinions. 6 10-20 Years aGo

looking back. 7

Gathering.

8

Am seeks more info on pier restaurant bids. 10 Am gifts $25K to community center. 10 give to giving challenge. 10 Ame adjusts to ‘virtual’ realities. 11 law enforcement pushes through coVid-19 changes. 14

Streetlife. 14 Am construction ban to expire. 15

NESTING NOTES: 1st sea turtle nest of 2020 spotted. 16

may day brings buds. 17

Flash of green? not so much, but a green underwater dock light at richard stevens’ house is reflected on his boat as lightning illuminates the night sky April 24. the view, looking northeast from seaside gardens in Holmes Beach, was caught by his security camera. the April showers — an exhibition of the power of mother nature, brought rain, thunder and lightning — some 4 inches of much-needed rain — to the island and drought-stricken manatee county. stevens, who spends part of the year in connecticut, said he’s waiting out the virus “in paradise” on Ami.

Island faces expiring state, county CoVID-19 orders By ryan Paice islander reporter

Lots of orders require enforcement. Between state, county and some city orders, law enforcement on Anna Maria Island is addressing a bevy of safety measures to limit the spread of COVID-19. But what happens in the cities when the measures are dropped? Gov. Ron DeSantis’ safer-at-home order prohibiting nonessential travel and activity and an order limiting vacation rentals were set to expire April 30. After announcing a “Re-Open Florida Task Force” April 20, it was unclear as The Islander went to press whether DeSantis would extend the emergency order into May, as governors in other states have done. While none of the cities reported problems with enforcing the state’s safer-at-home order, some vacation rental activity continued in April, requiring municipal response. Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth wrote in an April 22 report that code enforcement officers found one person that week

lightning coach wants to play. 18

CLASSIFIEDS. 20

Isl BIZ call ahead: takeout meals, curbside service offered. 22

NYT crossword. 23

#AMItogether

looking south April 23 on the beach near the Anna maria island moose lodge in Bradenton Beach despite limited parking for beachgoers. People who observed distancing guidelines were allowed on the beach. islander Photo: ryan Paice

violating the state order by checking into a rental property for less than 30 days. Holmes Beach police officers gave the renter a notice to appear in court, but the property owner was not reported to the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulations — per the state order — because the renter claimed to be a “government worker employed to the COVID-19

response,” according to the report. As of April 24, four violators were found checking into rentals in Holmes Beach. Titsworth wrote in an April 23 email to The Islander that each violator was given $250 citations and notices to appear in court, while the city reported three rental properties to the DBPR. PleAse, see orders, PAge 2

Parking? No parking

florida’s greatest game fish arrives. 19

PropertyWatch. 20

islander.org

Sea turtles arrive early to nest Bob, left, and deb Haynes, Anna maria island turtle Watch and shorebird monitoring volunteers, relocate a loggerhead nest April 26 from the beach near 56th street in Holmes Beach by carefully removing the eggs and placing them in a hand-dug nest higher on the beach. the relocation is required by the state to avoid nests being covered by sand during an upcoming beach renourishment project. islander Photo: courtesy AmitW

Based on a report distributed by mayor Judy titsworth, the islander reported the city of Holmes Beach was reopening some beach parking the week of April 13. the report stated the city would “be adding signage designating only the required beach access parking for federal beach renourishment funding. All other right-of-way parking will be designated no parking,” leading to the assumption there would be some parking available. Holmes Beach Police chief Bill tokajer told the islander April 24 that parking on city rights of way, along city streets and at beach accesses remained closed. “in the future, when we open the beaches, we will then place signs where parking will be allowed,” tokajer said. “But that’s for the future, not for the present.” tokajer said the city voided about $350 in parking tickets due to the misunderstanding.


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The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, April. 29, 2020 by The Anna Maria Islander Newspaper - Issuu