Lisa Neff

Bradenton

Editor and Writer at The Anna Maria Islander

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Articles

Countywide March tourist tax tops $5 million

1 week ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Tourism roared through March, generating more than $5 million in tourist development tax revenue in Manatee County for the first time this fiscal year. The county collected $5,396,781, in bed tax revenue for the month, compared to $5,303,173 in March 2024 and $4,647,968 in March 2023, according to a May 1 report from the county tax collector’s office. The increase in March 2025 over March 2024 was 1.77%, mainly due to a voter-approved a 1% increase in the levy.
RoadWatch: Eyes on the road – 04-30-2025 - Anna Maria Islander

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Cortez Bridge utility relocation project: State Road 684/Cortez Road. The Manatee County Public Works Department is relocating a water main and force main at the Intracoastal Waterway crossing. The work requires shoulder, sidewalk and bike lane closures in the area, as well as road detours and flagging operations. Through early summer, the contractor will be installing pipe between the north and south sides of Cortez Road on the eastern and western sides of Cortez Bridge.
3rd ferry boat due in July

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Manatee County expects delivery of a third ferry boat, a larger vessel than the two pontoon catamarans in operation, in July.
TDC backs maritime museum pop-up

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

A museum collection from an old Cortez schoolhouse soon could be popping up in a strip mall in Bradenton. The Florida Maritime Museum, 4415 119th St. W., Cortez, wants to create a pop-up exhibit in the Cortez Village mall in the 6600 block of Cortez Road while renovations and repairs continue at the permanent museum site, a 1912 schoolhouse in the fishing village.
Free tree glee - Anna Maria Islander

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Kris Martinez of Cortez leaves the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce April 22 with her free tree, picked up during a giveaway that celebrated Earth Day. See more “tree glee” on page 11. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Cathy King, a volunteer with the Bradenton Beach ScenicWAVES Committee, awaits the noon rush on the first day of a three-day tree giveaway at the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce office in Holmes Beach.
Suzi Fox Day arrives

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

There’s a lot you’ll want to know about mama turtles, Suzi Fox informed me on our introduction to one another in 2006. Fox schooled me on “a lot” over the years, as I covered Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring, the nonprofit she mothered, nurtured over many years. Fox, who died in 2022, was the longtime director of AMITW. She’d teach anyone she encountered about mama sea turtles and hatchlings. She led seminars, talks, walks to teach people of all ages about sea turtles.
No red tide reported

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

No red tide was reported from Southwest Florida the week ending April 27. For more information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site at myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/. — Lisa Neff
Black skimmer colony observed in Bradenton Beach

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring announced April 28 that it cordoned off an area in Bradenton Beach where black skimmers began gathering the week beginning April 21. Skimmers spend their entire lives in coastal areas, usually around sandy beaches and islands, although a few colonies can be found in inland locations with large lakes, particularly in Florida and California.
Mote releases 2 turtles rehabbed, recovered from red tide

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring will mark May Day — the official start of sea turtle nesting season on the island — with a launch party. The event, 3-6 p.m. Thursday, May 1, at Coquina Beach, also celebrates Suzi Fox Day, honoring the memory of AMITW’s longtime executive director, who died in September 2022.
To me, “May Day” means?

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

To me, “May Day” means? Commemoration of labor’s struggles. Celebration of spring. Sea turtle season begins. One month to hurricane season. A distress call. View Results Last week’s questionDid you file your federal tax return? Yep. 80%No. Taking advantage of the hurricane extension. 16%Don’t need to file. 1%Oops. Forgot about that. 2%To suggest a poll question, email [email protected].