Anna Maria Island Sun October 10, 2018

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- Named Best Florida Newspaper In Its Class -

VOL 18 No. 52

October 10, 2018

BY CINDY LANE SUN STAFF WRITER | clane@amisun.com

Red tide continues to retreat CHANTELLE LEWIN | SUN

The latest report from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shows that red tide decreased in waters off Anna Maria Island during the past week. Forecasters at the USF-FWC Collaboration for Prediction of Red Tides predict medium to high concentrations of red tide in Island waters through at least Oct. 8. The Oct. 5 report shows that Manatee County red tide levels are from 5 percent to 25 percent lower than last week. Low concentrations were found in water samples on Oct. 1 at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Medium concentrations were found on Oct. 1 at Longboat Pass and Cortez Beach, both in Bradenton Beach, with none at the Palma Sola Bay bridge. Background concentrations of red tide cause no anticipated effects. Low levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and possible fish kills. Medium levels can cause respiratory irritation, shellfish harvesting closures and probable fish kills. High levels can cause all of the above, plus water discoloration.

Visitors to Anna Maria Island enjoy the warm, clear water once again as the red tide outbreak that plagued the area finally begins to diminish. SEE RED TIDE, PAGE 34

Island prepares for Hurricane Michael

29 new Bert Harris claims come to Holmes Beach City leaders are now facing more than $20 million in Bert Harris claims.

City officials in all three Island cities prepared for Hurricane Michael’s potential impact.

BY KRISTIN SWAIN SUN STAFF WRITER | kswain@amisun.com

BY JOE HENDRICKS SUN CORRESPONDENT | jhendricks@amisun.com

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – As Hurricane Michael approaches Florida’s west coast, local officials are making storm preparations. Lt. John Cosby serves as Bradenton Beach’s emergency operations manager. “We’re expecting tropical storm-type winds and gusts starting Tuesday evening, with heavy rain on Wednesday and Thursday, so we’ll be watching for standing water and flooding. We’ve got code enforcement going to the beach businesses telling them to batten down and get their stuff off the beach because it will blow around. If we’re looking at a two-to-fourfoot storm surge, that shouldn’t hurt us too much because we don’t have any real soft spots,” Cosby said. “They seem pretty positive about the storm track and don’t anticipate it changing. The only change would be if the storm really intensifies or stalls above us. There’s

INSIDE NEWS 4 OPINION 6 ENTERTAINMENT 18 OUTDOORS 22-24 RESTAURANTS 26-27 REAL ESTATE 28-33 OBITUARIES 35 CLASSIFIEDS 37-39

DEAN JONES/ANNA MARIA PUBLIC WORKS | SUBMITTED

Sandbags are available at Bayfront Park in Anna Maria, shown here, and at city hall in Holmes Beach. going to be a lot of rain and wind, but it’s nothing we’re not used to. We’re the first county on the watch list and the worst is expected to happen north of us. Hopefully it just steams on by,” Cosby said this afternoon. Bradenton Beach Public Works Director Tom Woodard said high water signs were placed in areas SEE HURRICANE, PAGE 34

CREATE A New

Orleans gumbo with gusto. In Food & Wine on 25.

Anna Maria Island, Florida

HOLMES BEACH – In the last week to file Bert Harris claims with Holmes Beach regarding the city’s vacation rental ordinance, 29 new claims found their way to city hall with a total value of $8,031,000 if city leaders choose to accept the proposed settlement amounts. Twenty-two of the claims, with property owners represented by attorney Aaron Thomas, came in on Sept. 28 with a total value of $5,664,000. All of the claims listed the reason for filing for loss of property value with the city were due to reductions in occupancy in the short-term rentals. Occupancy in Holmes Beach in short-term rentals is limited to two people per bedroom or six people total, whichever is greater, including children and infants. One claim found its way to city hall Oct. 1 requesting compensation from the city amounting SEE BERT HARRIS, PAGE 34

HOME’S owners opt for a retro renovation circa 1963. 30 ISLAND residents buy the Freckled

Fin Irish pub and restaurant. 15

The Island’s award-winning weekly newspaper www.amisun.com


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Anna Maria Island Sun October 10, 2018 by Anna Maria Island Sun - Issuu