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Port Manatee commences dredging project

Port Manatee commences dredging project

Immediately following the Manatee County Port Authority meeting Thursday April 21, there will be a brief reception at 11:30 a.m. at Port Manatee’s Berth 12 in celebration of the arrival of Great Lakes Dredge and Dock Co.’s dredge California commencing the dredging of Berth 12.

The dredge is expected to be working during the event so there will be visuals as well as officials to discuss the project and what it means for the port. 

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Tax Day leads to scrambling and protesting

Tampa, Florida -- While some people are scrambling to file their taxes at the last minute, others will be protesting against big businesses not paying any federal taxes at all.

A group called Fight for Florida will be gathering in front of downtown Tampa's Bank of America building at 4 p.m. on Monday, this year's tax day.

The purpose of the protest? To show they're fed up with corporations like Bank of America paying no federal taxes in 2010.

Organizers say it's a symptom of a nationwide epidemic: companies sheltering their income overseas or slipping through other loopholes to avoid paying their fair shares.

Free bus service tomorrow!

Free bus service tomorrow!

Manatee County, FL -- Come on and take a free ride, Manatee County Area Transit passengers!

Manatee County Area Transit will offer complimentary service tomorrow, April 19 as part of a regional Try Transit campaign.

MCAT will offer free rides throughout the service day, from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., including Route 99 riders going into Sarasota.

The promotion is part of the Florida Department of Transportation’s awareness campaign to get commuters to consider alternative modes of transportation, especially for work commutes typically involving one vehicle transporting one person.  

"Supper with the Sheriff" to be held in Bradenton

"Supper with the Sheriff" to be held in Bradenton

Bradenton, FL -- People living in Manatee County will get chance to address any issues they want to with Sheriff Brad Steube this week.

A "Supper with the Sheriff" event is being held on Thursday evening.

Steube welcomes the public to bring issues to his attention and ask any questions.

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When creditors won't leave you alone...about someone else's debt!

When creditors won't leave you alone...about someone else's debt!

It is bad enough karma makes us take responsibility for our own actions, but since when are we accountable for someone else’s?

Recently, I received numerous phone calls from a collection agency asking the whereabouts of a neighbor who I did not know. It took three calls stating as much and asking to be removed from their call list before they stopped annoying me.

In my case, it was easy. (I hope.)

In my frustration, I made a snarky Facebook post about the incidents. To my surprise, I began receiving comments from other people who had gone through this – only much worse. They told tales of harassing calls and letters from creditors looking for former residents, collection agencies mistaking them for the person in question and those phoning looking for neighbors who owed money.

Live Music in the City of Anna Maria

Live Music in the City of Anna Maria

It takes a while, at 25 mph, to arrive at Anna Maria's southern-most live music venue, but it's worth the drive to Slims Place. Slim's Place features what I would call upscale comfort food.

Try the lobster mac & cheese and juicy, grilled (not fried) mojo chicken wings, and wash it down with beer or wine. Make sure you pick a night when Hammer's & Adams in playing, as live entertainment isn't scheduled regularly.

Just up the road is Feeling Swell which you owe yourself to visit, if for nothing else, to feel swell...sorry, I promise I'll try never to do that again. What I meant to say is, feel like a local.

This little surf motif bar fills up fast and doesn't take long to get hopping with beer, wine, burgers, funnel sticks (yes!) and boiled peanuts (regular or spicy) and live music from island singers Tuesday-Saturday, all year around.

Deputies: Man threatens wife with sword

Deputies: Man threatens wife with sword

Manatee County, Florida - Deputies arrested 59-year-old Thomas Parks late Friday night after they say he barricaded himself in his house and threatened his wife with a sword and gun.

Deputies say Parks got into an argument with his neighbors in the 4100 block of 41st Avenue West. When he returned home, investigators say he started fighting with his wife and threatened her.