**Manatee County’s Sandbag Initiative for Hurricane Preparation**

Manatee County is conducting a sandbag filling and pickup event to aid residents in preparing for hurricane season, with special delivery available for elderly residents in evacuation zones. This event underscores the county's proactive steps to protect properties and enhance community resilience against storms.

**Two mothers are advocating to protect Manatee County students**

After reports that their children were victimized by teachers, two mothers are advocating for enhanced student safety and accountability measures in Manatee County schools. This advocacy highlights the community's pressing concerns about safeguarding students and ensuring a secure educational environment.

**Precautionary Boil Water Notice Due to Water Main Work**

Manatee County has issued a boil water notice due to a scheduled water main tie-in that occurred on July 15, with restoration efforts planned for July 16. Residents are advised to boil water during this maintenance period as a safety measure, reflecting ongoing infrastructure improvements.

**Boat fire closes part of Bradenton Riverwalk**

A boat fire on Monday afternoon necessitated the closure of a section of Bradenton's Riverwalk, impacting access to the riverfront area. Authorities are managing the response to this incident, which disrupted local activities and raised safety concerns.

**Scheduled Water Outage in Palmetto**

The City of Palmetto will experience a planned water service interruption on July 14 from 9:00 a.m. to approximately 2:00 p.m., affecting downtown residents and businesses for essential utility repairs. This temporary outage highlights important infrastructure maintenance efforts to ensure continued service quality.

**Emergency repairs to the Lake Manatee Dam**

Emergency repairs are currently in progress on the Lake Manatee Dam to stabilize its structural integrity in preparation for the 2025 hurricane season. These crucial efforts aim to secure the dam and ensure the safety of the surrounding area.

**Beef 'O' Brady's supply drive for Tara Elementary**

Tim and Lauren Macri, co-owners of Beef 'O' Brady's Braden River, are conducting their second community supply drive to gather much-needed resources for Tara Elementary School. This initiative encourages local participation to support education and bolster community involvement.

**Manatee County Emergency Medical Services recognized for excellence**

Manatee County's EMS has been officially recognized for outstanding service, showcasing the team's dedication to providing high-quality emergency medical care. This accolade emphasizes the important role EMS plays in enhancing community safety and well-being.

**The City of Anna Maria received $1.25 million in state funding to help rebuild its City Pier, which was severely damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.**

With a $1.25 million state funding boost, Anna Maria City Pier is set for a revitalization following extensive hurricane damage. The project includes walkway and building repairs, with urgent timelines emphasizing community and tourism recovery.

**School District Charged $1.5 Million Commission by Tax Collector**

The Manatee County tax collector has begun charging the School District a $1.5 million commission fee from referendum funds per Florida Statute 192.091, a move that took the school board by surprise. Previously unaware of this charge, school board members are now engaged in discussions to address the financial impact on the district.