News

Around Manatee

• Downtown Palmetto

  Palmetto approves a one-year pause on new smoke, vape and CBD shops

  Palmetto's City Commission approved a 365-day moratorium Nov. 2 on new retail smoke shops and stores selling vaping or CBD products, in every zoning district. City planning staff will use the year to review the city's rules and bring back recommendations. It takes effect when the mayor signs it; the city's attorney said it isn't meant to affect existing shops, and one application filed in February will be looked at case by case.

  Sources: City of Palmetto agenda, Nov. 2 City Commission, City of Palmetto: City Commission minutes and audio, Nov. 2

• Downtown Palmetto

  Palmetto's CRA hires consultants for 8th Ave. W and its redevelopment plan

  The board of Palmetto's Community Redevelopment Agency approved the Corradino Group's scope of work for a short-term revitalization of the 8th Ave. W corridor Nov. 2, and hired Redevelopment Management Associates to update the CRA's redevelopment plan, starting with 8th Ave., 10th Ave., 7th St. and 10th St. It also told staff to negotiate buying 210 12th St. W, beside MLK Park, for up to $169,999 for parking and family amenities.

  Sources: City of Palmetto agenda, Nov. 2 CRA board, City of Palmetto: CRA board minutes and audio, Nov. 2

• Manatee County

  Unofficial results: Palmetto Ward 2, Parrish Fire District and the county land bond

  Sunshine Joiner has 1,009 votes (54.10%) to Sheldon "Mailman" Jones's 856 (45.90%) for Palmetto's Ward 2 commission seat, and the City of Palmetto Charter Amendment has 3,331 yes votes (77.29%). Kyle L. Moore leads Parrish Fire District Seat 1 with 9,032 (66.94%); the fire district's referendum has 9,056 yes (58.58%). The Manatee County bond referendum has 129,449 votes for (75.84%) and 41,243 against.

  Source: Manatee Supervisor of Elections: unofficial results, all races

• Manatee County

  Manatee's health department confirms a second locally acquired dengue case

  The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County updated its mosquito-borne illness alert Oct. 30, "informing residents of a second confirmed case of locally acquired dengue." It reminds residents to wear "loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and pants" and to "drain water from garbage cans, buckets, pool covers, coolers, toys, flowerpots, or any other containers where sprinkler or rainwater has collected." It adds: "If you are experiencing any symptoms, please call your health care provider."

  Source: Florida Department of Health in Manatee County: mosquito-borne illness alert update, Oct. 30

• Manatee County

  Manatee Memorial Hospital names Darin Roark CEO

  Manatee Memorial Hospital's Board of Governors named Darin Roark chief executive officer, effective Nov. 2, Pulse of Manatee reported. He was president and chief operating officer of Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, part of Mass General Brigham. Manatee Memorial runs the ER at Harrison Ranch in Parrish.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee: Manatee Memorial Hospital names new chief executive officer

• Manatee County

  Manatee's health department confirms a locally acquired dengue case

  The Florida Department of Health in Manatee County said Oct. 20 that it has a confirmed human case of locally acquired dengue. It and Manatee County Mosquito Control are coordinating surveillance and prevention through source reduction and aerial spraying, and the department reminds residents to avoid mosquito bites. Dead birds can be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

  Source: Florida Department of Health in Manatee County: mosquito-borne illness advisory update

• Palmetto

  Veterans Day parades Nov. 11 in Palmetto and Parrish

  Palmetto's parade, cohosted by the city and the Manatee County Veterans Council, forms at the Manatee County Fairgrounds and starts at 10:15 am, ending at Sutton Park for the annual memorial service at 11 am. In Parrish, the Parrish Civic Association's parade starts at 10 am on Fort Hamer Rd, from the roundabout east of Parrish Community High to Erie Rd and back, followed by a free ceremony and festival 11 am–2 pm at Parrish Community Park.

  Sources: Manatee County: Veterans Day events, Tampa Bay Beacons: Parrish to honor Veterans Day with parade and more

• Parrish

  Parrish community garden plots will cost $25 a year

  The county's planned community garden at Parrish Community Park, 7550 Fort Hamer Rd, will have individual plots and shared fruit trees, county parks and UF/IFAS staff told the Parrish Civic Association this month, the Tampa Bay Beacons reported. A $25 yearly membership covers a plot, tools, water and gardening help. Construction, opening and signup details will be announced later; it's the county's first garden north of the Manatee River.

  Source: Tampa Bay Beacons: Manatee County plans community garden for Parrish

• Manatee County

  Behlen plans to close its Tallevast Rd metal building plant, with 55 jobs cut

  Behlen Manufacturing filed a state layoff notice saying it will close its pre-engineered metal building plant at 2812 Tallevast Rd, affecting 55 employees, with layoffs expected Dec. 18, Pulse of Manatee reported. The company is moving the work to its headquarters in Columbus, Nebraska, citing manufacturing, materials and freight costs in the Southeast.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee: Behlen Manufacturing to close Manatee County plant

• Manatee County

  Mosquito Control District pilot killed in helicopter crash near Myakka City

  A Manatee County Mosquito Control District helicopter hit an unlit private radio tower, about 150 feet tall, and crashed behind homes on the 10000 block of 290th St. E in Myakka City about 8:54 pm Thursday, Oct. 15, WUSF reported. The pilot, the only person aboard, died. The FAA and NTSB are investigating; a second district helicopter nearby landed safely.

  Source: WUSF: Mosquito control helicopter crash

• Bradenton

  More than 300,000 gallons of sewage spilled after a contractor hit a Bradenton sewer main

  A contractor installing electrical conduit struck a 24-inch county sewer force main near 26th St. W and 60th Ave. W in Bradenton about 3:30 pm Oct. 13, and crews finished emergency repairs Oct. 16, Manatee County Utilities said. Its preliminary estimate is more than 300,000 gallons, some of it into storm drains that may reach nearby waters; the county says it will sample water quality as needed. Lane closures at that intersection are listed through Oct. 26.

  Sources: Manatee County: sewer force main repairs completed, Manatee County: current road closures

• Manatee County

  Manatee County is taking Planning Commission applications through Nov. 6

  Commissioners plan to appoint new members to the Planning Commission, the citizen advisory board that hears land use cases before they reach the County Commission, on Nov. 19. Applicants must be Manatee County voters and can't be county employees or serve on another land development advisory board for unincorporated Manatee. Applications are due Friday, Nov. 6. The board usually meets the second Thursday of each month at 9 am.

  Source: Manatee County: Planning Commission applications

• Palmetto

  Palmetto Youth Center plans to join forces with Willie Taggart's foundation

  The Palmetto Youth Center, founded in 1957, and the Taggart Family Foundation, started by Palmetto native and former college football coach Willie Taggart, signed a letter of intent Oct. 9 to combine. Both boards approved it unanimously. No program changes or transition date have been announced for the center at 501 17th St. W.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee: Palmetto Youth Center and Taggart Family Foundation

• Parrish

  Parrish firefighters head to the Panhandle after Hurricane Isaias

  Parrish Fire Department crews are part of Manatee County Structural Task Force 3601, which left early Sunday, Oct. 11, for Escambia County to help after Hurricane Isaias, according to the Bradenton Fire Department. East Manatee, Southern Manatee, Cedar Hammock and West Manatee fire districts and Bradenton Fire also sent people and trucks.

  Source: WWSB: Manatee County task force deploys for Hurricane Isaias

• Bradenton

  Whole Foods opens its first Manatee County store Nov. 5

  Whole Foods Market opens a 42,000-square-foot store at 8 am Thursday, Nov. 5, at the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, 7295 SR 64 E in Bradenton. It's the chain's first in Manatee County. Regular hours will be 8 am to 9 pm daily.

  Source: Whole Foods Market: Bradenton opening

• Bradenton

  Bradenton's school zone speed cameras: 17,556 notices in a year

  Bradenton's school zone speed cameras led to 17,556 notices of violation in 2025-26, and 10,779 were paid, totaling $1,077,900, police told the City Council on Wednesday. The police department said speeding in its school zones is down 96.8% from the original baseline. A new zone in front of Manatee Elementary on SR 64 started in December 2025.

  Source: WWSB: Bradenton speed zone report

• Manatee County

  Ruling still pending in builders' lawsuit over higher impact fees

  A Manatee circuit judge heard builders' request Sept. 3 to throw out the county's June 2025 impact fee increase and hasn't ruled. The builders argue a 2025 state hurricane-recovery law, SB 180, bars the higher fees, which pay for roads, parks, deputies and EMS as the county grows. On Sept. 15 a Flagler County judge sided with builders in a similar case against Palm Coast, which the city has appealed.

  Source: Tampa Bay Beacons

• Bradenton

  Man charged in Bradenton double shooting

  Bradenton police charged a 34-year-old man with two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm in the Sept. 22 shooting that killed two men in the 400 block of 12th Ave. E. Police said the shooting followed an ongoing dispute; he had been jailed since Sept. 26 on unrelated drug warrants.

  Source: WWSB

• Manatee County

  Rep. Will Robinson named to State College of Florida's board

  Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed outgoing state Rep. Will Robinson of Bradenton to the State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota trustees, pending Senate confirmation. The college is building a campus in Parrish. See the tracker.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee

• Downtown Palmetto

  FDOT picks a $916 million plan for the DeSoto Bridge corridor

  FDOT's preferred plan between downtown Bradenton and 25th St. E in Palmetto adds a two-lane elevated expressway that could be tolled and a new six-lane DeSoto Bridge more than twice today's width, with paths on both sides. A bridge widening would come first; later phases aren't funded. Bradenton Herald has the details.

  Sources: Bradenton Herald, FDOT project page

• Downtown Palmetto

  Palmetto's redevelopment agency turns 40

  The Palmetto CRA, started in 1985, marked the anniversary with a look back at brownfield cleanups, storefront grants and help for storm-damaged homes, and ahead to its planned riverfront project. See the tracker.

  Source: WWSB

• Lakewood Ranch

  Sarasota Memorial plans a Manatee campus near I-75 and SR 64

  The hospital's board approved buying about 120 acres for nearly $60 million, pending county rezoning. A freestanding ER on a separate 10-acre site could come first.

  Sources: WWSB, Sarasota Memorial

• Palmetto

  Palmetto museum group loses $74,400 to bank fraud

  The Friends of the Manatee County Agricultural Museum say six unauthorized withdrawals in May took $74,400 saved for a climate-controlled storage building next to the museum in Palmetto. BMO denied reimbursement, saying fraud must be reported within 24 hours. The group still plans to build and takes donations at the museum and on its website.

  Source: WWSB

• Manatee County

  Brazilian company picks Manatee for its North American headquarters

  Rustless Technology, which makes anti-corrosion technology for ports, marine and energy sites, announced Sept. 28 that it will start at the International Trade Hub at SeaPort Manatee and plans about 200 employees. Its permanent location hasn't been chosen.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee

• Manatee County

  FEMA approves nearly $44 million for Manatee's Milton and Debby cleanup

  The money reimburses the county for emergency response and for hauling more than 1.2 million cubic yards of storm debris. It's part of more than $116 million FEMA approved for 88 projects in Florida.

  Source: WWSB

Roads

• Palmetto

  Moccasin Wallow Rd widening east of I-75 now expected to finish in spring 2027

  The county's Oct. 21 project update puts completion of the Moccasin Wallow Rd widening between 115th Ave. E and Bay Winds Pkwy at spring 2027; its September update said late 2026. Paving of the new westbound lanes is underway, and traffic keeps sharing the new eastbound lanes between Bay Winds Pkwy and Grand River Pkwy. The next segment west, Bay Winds Pkwy to Buffalo Rd, is also due in spring 2027.

  Source: Moccasin Wallow Road project update, Oct. 21

• Night lane closures on the Skyway and US 301

  FDOT is closing lanes on the Sunshine Skyway (I-275) 8 pm–7 am nightly through Saturday, Oct. 3. Just north of the county line, US 301 repaving brings night lane closures from the Manatee line to Sun City Center, 7 pm–6:30 am, through Friday, Oct. 2.

  Source: FDOT, Manatee County lane closures

• Parrish

  Night paving on US 301 north of the Moccasin Wallow roundabouts

  Crews are paving at the US 301 roundabouts north of Moccasin Wallow Rd 7 pm–6 am through Oct. 31, with lane shifts and flaggers; the new side street access and sidewalks stay closed. In Palmetto, US 41 has a southbound outside lane closed between Terra Ceia Bay Blvd and 17th St. W, 9 am–4 pm through Oct. 6, for FPL pole work.

  Source: FDOT District One Roadwatch

Schools

• Dual-language program, now at Palmetto Elementary, will expand into middle school

  The district's dual-language program, where students spend half the day learning in English and half in Spanish, will expand into middle school starting next school year, WWSB reported. It now runs at four elementary schools: Palmetto (K–3), Prine (K–3), Daughtrey (K–5) and Braden River (K–5). The district's long-term goal is to carry it through high school.

  Source: WWSB: Dual-language program expands into middle schools

• School Board sues two charter schools over the school sales tax

  The School Board voted unanimously to sue Southwest Charter Foundation, which runs Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy and Manatee Charter School, over a share of the half-cent sales tax voters approved in 2016. Fifteen of the district's 17 charters accepted its phased-in share; these two want a full share now. The tax helped pay for Palmetto High's $24.8 million renovation, Suncoast Searchlight reported.

  Source: Suncoast Searchlight: School board sues two charter schools

• Parrish Community and Manatee School for the Arts theater students win big

  At the District 9 Thespy Festival, with 51 schools and more than 1,000 students, Parrish Community High's troupe earned 21 Superior and 9 Excellent ratings and 6 top honors. Manatee School for the Arts in Palmetto earned 11 Superior and 8 Excellent ratings and 3 top honors.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee

• Student taken into custody after lockdown at Manatee School for the Arts

  The Palmetto charter school went into lockdown Tuesday, Sept. 29, after students reported a threatening social media post. Police found the student on campus and took them into custody. The school didn't say whether charges will be filed, citing student privacy laws.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee

• Panic badges now open live school cameras to first responders

  When a Manatee school employee presses a Centegix safety badge, police and paramedics now get live feeds from the school's cameras until the incident is resolved. The district says it's the first to do this and it adds no cost.

  Source: WWSB

• Early-learning lab coming to Tillman Elementary

  Soar in 4 plans a lab for children up to third grade and their families at Tillman Elementary in Palmetto, open evenings, weekends and summers, as part of the school's $31 million renovation. No opening date yet.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee

Safety

• Nine drivers arrested on DUI charges in a Sheriff's saturation patrol

  The Manatee County Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit arrested nine drivers on DUI charges during a saturation patrol Friday, Oct. 23, and also filed eight misdemeanor charges, issued 45 citations and 22 warnings and wrote one criminal traffic summons, WWSB reported. The next patrol is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 20.

  Source: WWSB: 9 arrested during DUI saturation patrol in Manatee County

• Palmetto man charged with trafficking meth and cocaine after Sheriff's investigation

  Manatee County Sheriff's narcotics detectives and SWAT served a search warrant Oct. 13 at a home in the 400 block of 39th St. E, Palmetto, after months of undercover buys, the Sheriff's Office said. Deputies said they seized about 1,230 grams of meth, 113 grams of cocaine and more than $15,000 in cash. A 26-year-old man is charged with sale of meth, two counts of meth trafficking, cocaine trafficking and violating probation.

  Source: Manatee County Sheriff's Office: drug investigation leads to trafficking charges

• Ruskin man killed in crash with a semitrailer at US 41 and I-275

  A 60-year-old Ruskin man driving a pickup north on US 41 died when he hit the side of a semitrailer turning left onto US 41 from the I-275 Exit 2 ramp about 4:09 am Wednesday, Oct. 14, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The 46-year-old truck driver from Lakeland was not hurt. The crash is under investigation.

  Source: WWSB: Ruskin man dies in crash with semi on US 41

• Bicyclist killed on US 41 near Port Manatee

  A 40-year-old Sun City Center man riding a bicycle south on US 41 north of Buckeye Road was struck and killed by an SUV about 5:05 am Monday, Oct. 12, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Troopers said the SUV moved into a right-turn lane across a marked bike lane. The 23-year-old driver was not hurt; the crash is under investigation.

  Source: WWSB: Sun City Center bicyclist killed in US 41 crash

• Driver killed in head-on crash with a semitrailer on SR 62 east of Parrish

  A 38-year-old Lakeland man died when his pickup crossed the center line on SR 62 west of Saffold Road, near Duette, and hit a semitrailer head-on about 9 am Monday, Oct. 12, the Florida Highway Patrol said. The truck caught fire, and its 56-year-old driver was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

  Source: WWSB: Lakeland man killed in head-on crash on SR 62

From police and news reports. An arrest is an accusation, not a conviction.

Across the line

News from neighboring counties that reaches us.

• Sarasota County

  Sarasota County confirms a locally acquired West Nile virus case

  The Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory Oct. 23 after confirming a human case of locally acquired West Nile virus illness. Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services has already treated the area, and the department reminds residents to avoid mosquito bites.

  Source: Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County: mosquito-borne illness advisory

• Sarasota County

  Sarasota County's new $100 million offices open off I-75

  About 275 county employees, including the commission, moved into a 121,160 sq ft building at 1 Apex Rd, replacing the Ringling Blvd offices damaged by Hurricane Milton.

  Source: WWSB

Good news

• Sheriff's bloodhound finds two lost boys in rural Manatee County

  A Manatee County Sheriff's Office bloodhound, K9 Cane, found two boys who were lost in thick brush in a remote rural part of the county, WWSB reported. Deputies on the ground and the Aviation Unit were searching when Cane picked up a scent and led his handler to the boys about 10 minutes later. Both were found safe.

  Source: WWSB: Bloodhound helps Manatee County deputies find 2 lost boys

• Clerk's office offers veterans and active-duty military free services all November

  Through Nov. 30, the Manatee County Clerk & Comptroller gives veterans and active-duty military free certified copies of official and court records, passport photos and notary services, with no limit per visit. Bring a DD-214 or military ID to 1115 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, weekdays 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The office is closed Nov. 11 and Nov. 26–27.

  Sources: Manatee County Clerk & Comptroller: free services to veterans throughout November, Pulse of Manatee: Manatee County Clerk offers free services to veterans and active-duty military

• Manatee Sheriff's Office reaccredited as an Excelsior agency for a sixth time

  The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation voted unanimously Oct. 22 to reaccredit the Manatee County Sheriff's Office as an Excelsior agency, its sixth reaccreditation with that status, after assessors checked the office against 233 standards in July. The status lasts three years; the office was first accredited in 1996.

  Source: Manatee County Sheriff's Office: MCSO earns sixth CFA reaccreditation

• Toys for Tots is taking holiday requests and toy donations in Manatee County

  The Marine Corps Reserve's Manatee County Toys for Tots campaign opened 2026 requests Oct. 1 for families who need help with holiday gifts, and it's collecting new, unwrapped toys and money. Last year it gave out 28,527 toys to 20,512 children in the county. Requests, drop sites and deadlines are at bradenton-fl.toysfortots.org.

  Sources: Pulse of Manatee: Toys for Tots launches holiday campaign, Toys for Tots: Manatee County

• Honor Flight takes 75 area veterans to Washington

  Seventy-five veterans flew from Sarasota Bradenton International Airport to Washington on Tuesday, Oct. 20, for Honor Flight Mission XXV, visiting the World War II, Korean War and Vietnam Veterans memorials and the Military Women's Memorial before a water-salute welcome home that evening, WWSB reported.

  Source: WWSB: Honor Flight Mission XXV

• Stuff the Bus brings in more than 61,000 pounds of food

  Shoppers at 19 Publix stores across Manatee County donated more than 61,000 pounds of food Sunday, Oct. 11, in the yearly Stuff the Bus drive for the Food Bank of Manatee, a program of Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee. The School District of Manatee County and United Way Suncoast are partners.

  Sources: Pulse of Manatee: Stuff the Bus results, WWSB: Stuff the Bus returns Sunday

• Off-duty 911 call-taker stops to help at an I-275 crash

  Driving home Sept. 27, Manatee County 911 telecommunicator Alex Quintero stopped at a crash on I-275 near mile marker 2 and used his belt as a tourniquet on a badly injured man until Manatee County EMS and North River Fire arrived, the county said.

  Source: WWSB

• Raise a future service dog: info session in Palmetto Oct. 16

  Dogs Inc is looking for volunteers to raise Labrador puppies for 3, 6 or 12 months before professional training. No experience is needed; it covers vet care and gear, and raisers buy the food. Learn more Friday, Oct. 16, at 2 pm at its campus, 4210 77th St. E, or apply online.

  Source: Pulse of Manatee

• Meet future guide dogs in Palmetto, Oct. 10

  Dogs Inc opens its 66-acre campus at 4210 77th St. E for Discovery Day, 10 am–2 pm, with puppies, service-dog demonstrations and food trucks. Registration is $10; leave pets at home.

  Source: Tampa Bay Beacons

• Donate a bike to help a neighbor get to work

  Turning Points fixes up about 800 donated bikes a year for people who need a way to get to work and appointments, and had only about 16 on hand this week. Bikes in any condition help; drop them at 701 17th Ave. W, Bradenton (941-747-1509).

  Sources: WWSB, FOX 13