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THE SUN
ISLAND NEWS
IN BRIEF
Commission to discuss expanded outdoor seating The Bradenton Beach City Commission will meet on Thursday, May 19 at noon. Colliers Engineering will present its 60%-completed stormwater project plans for state permitting submittal. The commission also will discuss: • a special event permit for the AMI Privateers’ Fourth of July parade, • the anticipated expiration of a city ordinance that currently allows expanded outdoor seating areas for restaurants and bars, • the city’s employee pension plans and the renewal of the city’s employee insurance policies, • a requested bench engraving, and • the purchase of a DART weapons training system and the replacement of police department tasers. After the monthly department head updates, the city attorney also will present the charter review committee’s recommendations and discuss risk assessment and resiliency.
Memorial Day weekend parking at AME The city of Holmes Beach will offer some relief from Memorial Day weekend parking woes by allowing beachgoers to park at the normally restricted Anna Maria Elementary School parking lot May 28-30. The overflow parking will only be available dawn to dusk, and all rules that apply to public beach parking apply at the school. AME is located at 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach.
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MAY 18, 2022
Police warn of ‘fresh towel’ scam
Police warn of a possible scam involving a woman offering to provide fresh towels in order to enter vacation rental units. BY JASON SCHAFFER SUN CORRESPONDENT | jschaffer@amisun.com
BRADENTON BEACH - Police are warning unsuspecting visitors of a possible scam. A group visiting from Illinois was staying at a rental unit on Avenue A in Bradenton Beach when a tan-colored, late-1990s or early-2000s sedan pulled into the driveway and a Hispanic woman in her mid-30s to early 40s got out of the car and approached the renters, according to a report filed by Officer John Tsakiri on May 5. She asked in broken English if they were owners or renters. The group confirmed that they were renting, and the woman asked if they had enough clean towels. She walked into the house through the garage, then walked out of the house and said “OK, I’m leaving.”
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Bradenton Beach police say a woman is posing as a housekeeper at vacation rentals. The woman got into her car and left the rental unit. The renters contacted the rental company and told them about the woman, who was not authorized to be there. Police believe this may be a scam to allow the woman to enter the home and search for valuables
to steal if no one follows her. Police urge you to report suspicious activity and not allow anyone in your rental unit unless you are aware in advance they will be coming. If you observe suspicious activity, call police immediately at 941778-6311 and report the incident.
Lane closures planned on Anna Maria Bridge Intermittent overnight lane closures are planned for the Anna Maria Bridge. Crews will be conducting maintenance work on the drawbridge Monday, May 23 through Thursday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 31 through Thursday, June 2 from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Motorists should expect some delays, lane closures and flagging operations when traveling east and westbound on Manatee Avenue through the area.
Stone crab season closes Stone crab season ended May 1, and according to A.P. Bell Fish Co. Manager Karen Bell, crabbers came out on top. “It was a good year, prices were high and demand was high,” Bell said, adding, “The yield was medium to low compared to past years.” Stone crab season runs from Oct. 15 to May 1.
CINDY LANE | SUN
Light show The end of another beautiful beach day in Bradenton Beach.
