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4THE SUN ISLAND NEWS

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IN BRIEF

One killed, one seriously injured in Bradenton Beach fall

SUBMITTED

The Grass Roots close out concert series

If you haven’t been out to The Center of Anna Maria for the Bradenton Gulf Islands Concert Series, your last chance is July 2 when The Grass Roots come to rock the stage for the final show of the season. The band brings their biggest hits such as “Midnight Confessions,” “The River is Wide,” “I’d Wait a Million Years,” “Heaven Knows” and “Temptation Eyes.” The show starts at 7 p.m. on The Center’s field with an opening act followed by The Grass Roots, with special guest Donnie Iris taking the stage at 8 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m. and all audience members are asked to bring their own lawn chairs. The concert is planned to take place rain or shine and though no outside food or drink is allowed, The Sandbar will have a cash/credit bar with drinks but will not serve food. Tickets are available in pods of two to six for $50-65 each online at www.centerami.org/events. The concert series is presented by the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, The Sandbar and Cedar Cove Resort and Cottages.

Anna Maria extends construction noise prohibitions

The city of Anna Maria has a new ordinance that further limits construction noise and activities during extended holiday weekends. Before the newly amended Ordinance 21-888 was adopted and enacted on Thursday, June 24, the previous version of the ordinance already prohibited construction noises, the operation of construction equipment on private property and the delivery, collection and removal of construction dumpsters on Sundays and federal holidays. The new ordinance contains additional language that says, “If any of these holidays falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday shall also be observed as a holiday during which no noise is allowed. If any of these holidays falls on a Sunday, the following Monday shall also be observed as a holiday.” Mayor Dan Murphy said painting, plumbing, electrical and other non-noise generating construction activities are still allowed on the holidays impacted by the new ordinance. Murphy said the new ordinance will be enforced by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Anna Maria Unit on a complaint-driven basis and will be in effect on Monday, July 5. The phone number of the MCSO Anna Maria Unit is 941-708-8899.

One man was killed and one seriously injured after a three-story fall while working on a new construction in Bradenton Beach.

BY JASON SCHAFFER

SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com

BRADENTON BEACH – Two construction workers fell from a height of more than 30 feet on Wednesday, June 23, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

According to the Bradenton Beach Police Department, the fall happened at 5:40 p.m. as the men were standing on a makeshift scaffolding near the top of the threestory condo at 203 Bay Drive N.

“We’re guessing that the nails holding their scaffold just gave out. A witness who was next door said she heard a cracking sound before seeing the first man fall. The second man fell shortly after,” Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz said.

Abelino Olvera, 49, of Arcadia, was found dead when police arrived at the scene. The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. Police identified the second man as Daniel Leon Thomas, who was transported to Blake Medical Center with serious injuries but who is expected to make a full recovery. Both were contract laborers, according to police.

JASON SCHAFFER | SUN Holmes Beach construction site where two men fell more than 30 feet, killing one and seriously injuring the other.

Health department: COVID-19 ain’t over ‘til it’s over

BY CINDY LANE

SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

BRADENTON – The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County is asking members of the public who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 to consider doing so as soon as possible.

“Vaccination is key to preventing the spread of this life-threatening illness,” said DOH-Manatee Health Officer Dr. Jennifer Bencie. “Continuing to practice COVID-19 prevention measures is also important, especially when it comes to preventing the spread of a disease that anyone can have and not even know they have it or are spreading it.”

DOH-Manatee, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and community partners representing the Mask Up Manatee! / Vax Up Manatee! coalition reminds the public that COVID-19 and its variants remain a significant threat to public health.

Six county workers recently tested positive for COVID-19; two have died.

A COVID-19 testing and vaccination site is located at the MCAT Palmetto Bus Station, 1802 Eighth Ave. W. in Palmetto. The walk-up site, which offers both PCR and rapid testing and vaccination at no cost, is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Anyone who wants a test or vaccination is asked to present proof of Florida residency (driver’s license, utility bill with name and address on it, etc.). Services are available to adults ages 18 and up. For more information, call 941-242-6646.

Vaccinations also are available by appointment at select locations of CVS, Publix, Walgreens, Walmart and Winn-Dixie; you must register on their websites.

DOH-Manatee encourages everyone, whether they have been vaccinated yet or not, to continue to take these COVID-19 prevention measures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

• Get vaccinated • Get tested • Wear face coverings in public • Social distance (6 feet from others whenever possible in public) • Wash hands routinely • Wipe down high-touch surfaces • Stay home if feeling ill • Keep children at home if they are feeling ill

No resolution reached in parking battle

More communication

is taking place between Manatee County and Holmes Beach Commissioners but they haven’t agreed on how to address parking and traffic concerns.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN

SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

HOLMES BEACH – Some Holmes Beach and Manatee County commissioners are talking but that doesn’t mean a resolution has been reached in the battle over parking in residential areas for beachgoers.

At a June 22 meeting, Holmes Beach commissioners discussed the ongoing issues with county leaders.

Commissioners Jayne Christenson, Terry Schaefer and Jim Kihm said they all met with Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge to discuss his demand for more parking in Holmes Beach for beachgoers. Commissioner Carol Soustek said she had an appointment to meet with Van Ostenbridge scheduled but that he didn’t show up and she hadn’t received any word from his office about the missed appointment or rescheduling. Christenson said she also met with Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, a former mayor of Holmes Beach and current resident, and Administrator Scott Hopes.

Mayor Judy Titsworth said no one from the county has reached out to her to set up a meeting to discuss the ongoing dispute over parking or traffic issues.

While the Holmes Beach commissioners who met with Van Ostenbridge said they listened to his concerns about a lack of available beach parking in the Island’s largest city, they said no resolution was reached. Christenson said that during their discussion, Van Ostenbridge restated his threat to terminate beach renourishment funding and additional funding to Holmes Beach if city leaders don’t reopen street-side parking spaces to the public that are currently restricted to permit-only resident parking from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Holmes Beach exceeds the number of public parking spaces needed to qualify for beach renourishment funding, which comes from the state with a county match.

Christenson said Van Ostenbridge threatened to remove the funding received by Holmes Beach police to patrol the Manatee Beach, a county-maintained property, and have county code and law enforcement officers take over patrol of the area.

Despite continuing threats, Titsworth said she’s not willing to back down from her commitment to protect Holmes Beach residents and find a balance between residents and visitors. Rather than have more visitors parking on residential streets, she’s suggested to county leaders that they seek other options, such as purchasing property near the county beach to be used as public parking, where facilities such as restrooms, trash and lifeguards are present.

During public comment, two Holmes Beach residents stood up to say how they appreciate the stance city leaders are taking with the county over the parking issues.

Resident Beth Sneedon said she sees a direct correlation between more traffic and more public parking spaces, saying she feels the traffic and large influx of visitors to the Island creates a potentially dangerous situation for residents and visitors with streets and infrastructure strained to accommodate the additional people and multiple modes of transportation.

Two county residents posed an opposite opinion, with one even attempting to organize a protest before the meeting on the steps of city hall.

With no resolutions being discussed and both parties firmly holding their ground, any changes to parking in Holmes Beach are not expected to be forthcoming any time soon.

SUBMITTED | JAYNE CHRISTENSON Holmes Beach Commissioner Jayne Christenson, right, and Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore met to discuss issues between the Island city and the county.