Daily News Roundup: October 26, 2024
Bradenton Beach Wildlife Rescuers Rally to Recover After Hurricane’s Devastating Impact
BRADENTON BEACH, Fla. — For more than three decades, Gail and Ed Straight have devoted their lives to rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife across Manatee County, operating their nonprofit, Wildlife Inc., from their Bradenton Beach home. Their commitment has provided sanctuary to thousands of injured animals, from rabbits to owls to deer, offerin…
Manatee Public Beach Reopens After Hurricane Helene and Milton Devastate Anna Maria Island
After enduring substantial damage from back-to-back hurricanes, Anna Maria Island’s Manatee Public Beach is once again open to the public. The reopening, announced by the Manatee County Government, marks a significant milestone in the island’s recovery process following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. These hurricanes caused widespread destruction, leadin…
Tampa Bay Lightning Owner Jeff Vinik Sells Stake to Investor Group, Retains Control for Three Years
Jeff Vinik, owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning, has sold a portion of the team and Vinik Sports Group to an investment group led by Doug Ostrover, co-founder and CEO of Blue Owl Capital, and Marc Lipschultz, Blue Owl's Co-CEO. The transaction, valued at an estimated $2 billion, received approval from the NHL's Board of Governors on October 1, 2024, and ta…
Lynyrd Skynyrd to Rock Bradenton for Hurricane Relief: Charity Concert Aims to Support Local Hospitality Workers
Sixty years after forming in Jacksonville, Florida, the legendary rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd is set to bring their Southern rock sound to the Bradenton Area Convention Center on November 15. Teaming up with special guest Marcus King, the concert will raise funds to support hospitality workers on Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key who have been out of work…
GiveDirectly’s Innovative Cash Aid Program Empowers Nearly 1,000 Hurricane-Affected Households in North Carolina and Florida
In a groundbreaking initiative, the nonprofit GiveDirectly is set to deliver rapid, direct cash payments to nearly 1,000 households in North Carolina and Florida affected by recent hurricanes. The aid, part of a pioneering model not widely adopted in U.S. disaster relief, will see each selected household receive $1,000, enabling individuals to address t…
Historic Bradenton Beach Home Lost to Hurricane Helene’s Destruction
BRADENTON BEACH – A nearly century-old family vacation home on Gulf Drive, filled with cherished memories and a legacy spanning generations, was demolished on October 23 due to severe damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The 739-square-foot bungalow, built in 1930, had stood as a testament to Anna Maria Island's enduring charm, nestled at 1201 Gulf Drive …
Finding Solace Through Song: Local Theatergoers Embrace Merrily We Roll Along as a Welcome Escape After Hurricane Recovery
After a taxing month of hurricanes and recovery efforts, the residents of Manatee County are finding a much-needed reprieve in the arts. The Manatee Performing Arts Center's upcoming production of Merrily We Roll Along, beginning October 30, offers the community a chance to reconnect, reflect, and rediscover joy amid a familiar setting: the theater. As …