Lisa Neff

Bradenton

Editor and Writer at The Anna Maria Islander

Featured in: Favicon

islander.org Favicon

medium.com Favicon

psychologytoday.com Favicon

sagepub.com (+1) Favicon

wisconsingazette.com Favicon

coastalnewstoday.com Favicon

puertoricotravelwire.com

Articles

Prepping for the tour

1 week ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

On your marks, get ready, wait. The Sea Turtle Conservancy plans to outfit a loggerhead with a tracking device early Monday, June 23, for its annual Tour de Turtles, but for race-watchers the official competition doesn’t begin until Friday, Aug. 1. Of course, while we’re waiting for the Tour de Turtles marathon officially to get underway in August, AMI’s entry will just go on doing what adult female loggerheads do — swimming, nesting and such.
MCSO, HBPD arrest man for DUI

1 week ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Taylor Cope, 33, of Casselberry, June 7 on a second-degree misdemeanor charge for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. A Holmes Beach police officer stopped a motorist who accelerated into an island median in the 3800 block of East Bay Drive and briefly went airborne around 1:24 a.m.The driver, Cope, appeared to be intoxicated and a dui investigation took place.
Roadwatch – 06-18-2025 - Anna Maria Islander

1 week ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Eyes on the roadIsland bridges safety project: Through June, the Florida Department of Transportation is installing pedestrian/bicycle detection systems on the Cortez Bridge, Longboat Pass Bridge and Anna Maria Island Bridge. Motorists are advised there will be intermittent sidewalk and lane closures. Motorists also are advised to use caution in the construction zone. For area road watch information, go online to swflroads.com or dial 511.
What the hay? - Anna Maria Islander

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Beachgoers in early June found areas in Bradenton Beach lined with hay bales, prompting a range of inquiries on social media. No, the bales are not new sustainable beach benches. No, AMI doesn’t have a wagon train rolling down the shore. No, they don’t attract bobcats or alligators.
Dad’s favorite activity on Father’s Day?

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Dad’s favorite activity on Father’s Day? Getting outdoors. Watching sports. Enjoying a meal. Working in the yard. Other. View Results Last week’s questionSmells like summer …Suntan lotion/sunscreen 42%Grilling. 20%Cut grass. 19%Rotting sargassum. 3%Salty air. 15%To suggest a poll question, email [email protected].
April tourist tax tops $3.2 million

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

April’s tourist development tax dollars climbed 12.72% compared with April 2024’s collection in Manatee County, but the tax also increased. The 2025 collection for April was $3,286,678 compared with the $2,915,794 collected last April, which was down from April 2023. The tourist tax, also known as the bed tax or resort tax, is the 6% collected on overnight rentals of six months or less. County voters elected to raise the tax by 1% last November, with the hike taking effect in January.
Tidewatch – 06-11-2025 - Anna Maria Islander

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

Red tide not reportedRed tide was not reported in the area the week ending June 8. For more information, go to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission site at myfwc.com/research/redtide/statewide/. — Lisa Neff
Roadwatch – 06-04-2025 - Anna Maria Islander

3 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 on the north and south sides of Cortez Road on both landings on the Cortez Bridge.
In the forecast: Above-normal Atlantic hurricane season

1 month ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

The federal outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season predicts a 60% chance of above-normal activity. Chances are 30% for a near-normal season and 10% for a below-normal season, according to an outlook released May 22 by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during a news conference held at the Jefferson Parish Emergency Operations Center in Gretna, Louisiana, and virtually. NOAA is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 total named storms with winds of 39 mph or higher.
Talking turtles - Anna Maria Islander

1 month ago | islander.org | Lisa Neff

The city of Holmes Beach will host Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring for weekly talks about sea turtle and shorebird nesting. Sea Turtle Tracks and Shorebird Facts talks continue Mondays at 10 a.m. through August at city hall, 5801 Marina Drive. For more information, call turtle watch at 941-301-8434 or go to www.islandturtlewatch.com.