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Boom For Space

Anna Maria Island and surroundings were surprised last night by the double sonic boom created by the return of the space shuttle Endeavour.

Space Shuttle Endeavor landing

A small delay in the shuttle’s re-entry brought the glide path over the island and it’s normally tranquil evenings.

The first sight of the Endeavour’s trail was visible in the dusk sky at about 8:25 p.m. as a steady glow moving rapidly from west to the east. As it disappeared from sight descending toward its Cape Canaveral landing, a loud b-boom shook the windows and rattled glasses.

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Anna Maria Beach Renourishment Eschews Federal Funds

The planned 2011 $7.5 million beach renourishment project for 1.5 miles of Anna Maria shoreline will not use Federal money, according to Charlie Hunsicker, ecosystems director at Manatee County. Funding will come from state and county taxation.

Holmes Beach Anna Maria Island

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection estimated that Anna Maria would need to provide another 40 parking spaces for public use and access in order to qualify for state funding.

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Fishermen Checked for Compliance




Some out-of-area commercial fishermen were checked for compliance with fishing regulations while netting for mullet in Bimini Bay (also known as Fiske Bayou) on Anna Maria Island.

Bimini Bay net fishermenResidents alerted the Holmes Beach Police Department to what appeared to be a large netting operation in nearby fishing and protected sea grass beds.

HBPD requested assistance from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Law Enforcement division. HBPD has it’s own marine patrol but it is used for the city’s jurisdiction. The FWC patrol serves a greater Tampa Bay area related to boating and fishing regulation enforcement.

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Fire Advisory for Sunday




Fire Weather Advisory

for Counties including Manatee

The National Weather Service at Ruskin FL Issued 06:11 EST Saturday Jan 19 2008 A FIRE WEATHER WATCH in effect from Sunday morning though Sunday afternoon…

A cooler and drier air mass will move into the area Sunday as high pressure builds across the area. Afternoon humidities are expected to fall below 35% for a few hours on Sunday. In addition winds will be 10 to 20 mph and gusty, which will further enhance the spread of any existing fire.

/O.NEW.KTBW.FW.A.0006.080120T1600Z- 080120T2300Z/

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Anna Maria Island Bridge Renovation Rescheduled




Florida Department of Transportation announced that the start of the Anna Maria Bridge renovations has been delayed until Feb 4. A new contract with Quinn Construction Co of Palmetto calls for the bridge on Manatee Avenue, or State Road 64, connecting Anna Maria Island to the mainland and Bradenton, to be closed completely to vehicles for 45 days.

Originally announced last year to begin April 1, the closure was to be 75 days, but