Ryan Paice

1 week ago | islander.org | Ryan Paice

The good news: local waterways contain thousands of pounds less debris following a recent cleanup. The bad news: due to hurricanes Helene and Milton, there is far more debris to remove. Organized Fishermen of Florida executive director Alexis Meschelle told The Islander April 11 that volunteers removed about 10,600 pounds of debris from local waterways during an April 5 cleanup hosted by the group’s Cortez chapter.

1 week ago | islander.org | Ryan Paice

Spirits are high heading into Easter weekend for four of Anna Maria Island’s churches and their congregations. The resurrection is central to the Christian faith. With the reopening of its chapel ahead of the holiday, Roser Memorial Community Church is almost back in full swing after last year’s hurricanes and the damages they wrought. Roser, 512 Pine Ave., Anna Maria, has been hosting services in its sanctuary since last October due to damage to the historic chapel sustained last fall.

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Ryan Paice

Manatee County’s Gulf Islands Ferry service may be back to square 1 in its search for a port in Holmes Beach. City Commissioner Dan Diggins, a member of the county’s tourist development council, told The Islander April 1 that an attempt to dock at a boat slip in the Waterline Marina at 5325 Marina Drive failed earlier that day.

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Ryan Paice

The city of Anna Maria’s administrative structure is shifting. And some things might not be figured out until it settles. Mayor Mark Short told The Islander April 4 that he had yet to determine a salary adjustment for treasurer LeAnne Addy, who had also served as city clerk until the municipality’s recent hire of Amber LaRowe. LaRowe, who has a starting salary of $102,500, was introduced as the new city clerk at a March 27 city commission meeting. Short said she is off to a great start.

2 weeks ago | islander.org | Ryan Paice

The Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria remains in ruins but its restaurant soon will be back in business. Oliver “Oli” Lemke, a German brewer and restaurateur and pier owner since December 2023, told The Islander April 1 that the Rod & Reel Pier Restaurant would reopen in the former storefront of the Old Hamburg Schnitzelhaus in the Anna Maria Island Centre shopping plaza at 3246 E. Bay Drive, Holmes Beach.