The Islander

09/03/2025

🌴 Vacation Rental Stakeholders Workshop 🌴

Stay informed and connected as we tackle important topics like vacation rentals, turtle season, post-storm concerns, FEMA values, and more. Featured speakers include the Holmes Beach Police Department Chief, City of Holmes Beach Director of Development Services, Building Official, Code Compliance, West Manatee Fire and Rescue District, and Waste Pro. Let’s work together for a stronger community!

📅 When: September 10, 2025 | 8–10 AM
📍 Where: City of Holmes Beach City Hall
☕ Refreshments provided by Waste Pro

09/03/2025

Notice: Manatee County is installing Thor Guard lightning prediction systems at two beach locations this week:

📍Today at Beach Patrol Headquarters in Coquina Beach
📍Tomorrow at the Anna Maria Island Cafe in Manatee Public Beach

As part of the installation, you may hear test alarms. Please note: these signals are only for lightning and are not used for tornado, flooding, or other severe weather alerts.

These systems will be fully operational starting this weekend and will run daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The system signals:
- One long horn blast - lightning detected nearby (seek shelter)
- Three short horn blasts - all clear, conditions are safe

These new safety measures are part of our continued commitment to protecting residents and visitors at the beach.

09/02/2025

New long range outlook out. Right on cue, CPC thinks things get going mid September into October. So do I. As for Gabrielle to be, I'll have some thoughts shortly. I still think it curves.

09/01/2025

An update from the MCSO: A body has been recovered from the water just west of Anna Maria Island. The deceased is believed to be the missing swimmer.
Deputies are in the process of positively identifying the man and notifying family members.
——-
Search continues for missing swimmer off Bean Point
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said that a search for a swimmer reported missing about 7 p.m. Aug. 31 would continue the morning of Sept. 1.
The MCSO news release Sept. 1 described “a multi-agency search effort … for a swimmer who was swept away by the tide off Bean Point on Anna Maria Island yesterday.”
At about 7 p.m., witnesses reported seeing a man about 100 yards from the beach in the Gulf. He had been swimming with another man, who was rescued and brought to shore by people nearby.
A search was initiated by MCSO deputies and involved several boats, jet skis, paddleboards and aerial support from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard, in a social media post, identified the missing swimmer as Abhigyan Patel.
“So far, there have been no signs of the missing swimmer,” the news release said.

09/01/2025

U.S. Coast Guard Sector St Petersburg ended its search for a missing swimmer Mon., after a Longboat Key Police Department boat crew located and recovered a deceased individual who reportedly matched the description of the missing swimmer near Anna Maria Island.

Rip currents are a danger along every coast, and today’s tragedy reminds us of how serious they can be. Please stay alert to conditions, swim near lifeguards where available and look out for one another at the beach.

📝: https://tinyurl.com/2mk2d9ff

-

U.S. Coast Guard Station Cortez, Air Station Clearwater and partner agency crews are searching for 20-year-old Abhigyan Patel last seen swimming off Bean Point Beach, Sunday, at 6:52 p.m in an olive green shirt.

It was reported the swimmer was with a friend and was caught in a riptide.

If you have any information call: 866-881-1392

09/01/2025

🇺🇸 Happy Labor Day from the City of Holmes Beach! 🇺🇸

City Hall will be closed Monday, September 1 in observance of Labor Day and will reopen Tuesday, September 2 for regular business hours.

👉 Please note:
• 🚧 No construction is allowed on Labor Day
• 🗑️ Trash pickup → Tuesday, Sept 2
• ♻️ Recycling → Wednesday, Sept 3
• 🌿 Yard Waste → Thursday, Sept 4
• Regular schedule resumes Friday

We hope you enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday celebrating the contributions of our community’s hardworking people! 💙

08/29/2025

08/29/2025

Congratulations to 5th grader Mabel Greene!!Mabel’s artwork was selected for the 2025 AME t-shirt design contest for Peace Day. Each year 5th grade students at AME paticipate in the design contest. Peace Day will be held on September 19th at 10:00 am this year. Information on t-shirt sales will go home next week. ✌️☮️🕊️🐬❤️

08/29/2025

08/29/2025

We can safely say we have enough paper towels now 😂 Thank you all for your amazing generosity! 💚 We are blessed to have all of you supporting us.

08/29/2025

✨ Co-Ed Community Circle ✨
A Monthly Gathering for Support, Connection & Presence

📅 Date: Wednesday, September 17, 2025
🕕 Time: 6:00 – 8:00 PM
💲 Cost: Members $25 | Non-Members $30

Join us for an evening of grounding, reflection, and authentic connection. This welcoming circle, led by Carly Burdick, offers a safe space for deep listening, sharing, and presence. Through meditation, journaling, sound healing, and gentle connection practices, we’ll nurture mind, body, and soul.

🌿 Open to everyone — men, women, couples, and friends.
🌿 No pressure, no judgment — just space to be.

✨ Each gathering includes:
• Guided meditation
• Journaling prompts
• Heart-led share circle (optional)
• Sound healing with crystal bowls
• Partner/group connection activities

💛 Come as you are, leave feeling lighter, seen, and supported.

📌 Pre-registration required.
📞 (941) 778-1908 | 📧 [email protected]