Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Which Bradenton races and deadlines matter most for your 2026 ballot?

Happening soon: Open House - North Port on the Bradenton Patch calendar

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Good morning Bradenton! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Which Bradenton races and deadlines matter most for your 2026 ballot?
  • What FDOT's $916 million DeSoto Bridge plan means for Bradenton
  • How a Bradenton boater helped police save a man

Also on today's calendar: Open House - North Port and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What are the two favorite words for a shark to hear? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Sunday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 84 and low of 70 degrees.
  • Monday: Sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 88, low: 71. 🌶 Hot!
  • Tuesday: Sunshine and pleasant, with a high of 86 and low of 73 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Vote-by-mail ballots are out. Here is the Information You Need! (thebradentontimes.com) — Bradenton voters get a full guide to the 2026 election, including key dates, early voting locations around Manatee County, and details on City of Bradenton council races in Wards 3 and 4. You'll also find links to candidate forums, tools to check your registration and districts, and nonpartisan information on constitutional amendments and a county referendum.
   

2. FDOT unveils preferred plan for DeSoto Bridge project (mysuncoast.com) — State transportation officials want to fully replace Bradenton's DeSoto Bridge with a $916 million, six-lane span that adds elevated express lanes over downtown Bradenton and Palmetto. The plan aims to separate through-traffic from local drivers, add pedestrian and bike paths, and potentially ease congestion near businesses, though funding and a possible "no build" option are still under review.
   

3. Video: Fla. officers, boater rescue man from river (police1.com) — Bradenton police and a Good Samaritan boater teamed up Saturday night to pull a man from the Manatee River near Riverside Drive East after he'd been in the water for at least an hour. Officers used a civilian boat and help from the sheriff's aviation unit to locate him in the dark, then persuaded him aboard so medics could take him to the hospital.
   

4. Suspect in Bradenton double homicide arrested on unrelated charges (snntv.com) — Bradenton police say they've identified a suspect in a Sept. 22 shooting on 12th Avenue East that killed two men, and that person is now jailed on unrelated charges. Investigators haven't released the suspect's name or the new charges yet, and the double-homicide case remains active as detectives continue gathering evidence.
   

📸 Around Bradenton

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Bradenton

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📣 Bradenton Shout Outs!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Local students recognized for constitution essays —Mustangs Ahead News Read on Patch
  • WBTT opens 2026-2027 season with 'Sophisticated Ladies' —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Good news on the new Sea Flower Publix at Cortez Road and 75th Street West opening soon.
    According to the clerk I spoke to at Publix, the new store in the Sea Flower development will be opening by the end of October, 2026. The exterior… (Nextdoor Palma Sola Trace)
  • Ed's Tavern West on Manatee is open!
    Lots of customers today. Food was great and bartender Erica was super helpful with food and beer recommendations. Bob the manager stopped by to… (Nextdoor Palma Sola Village)
  • Dycom Industries, Inc. posted a job opening for Lead Tech Warehouse in Bradenton. Apply here.
  • Chili's Grill & Bar posted a job opening for Janitor - Lakewood Ranch Chili's in Bradenton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bradenton here.

Ok Bradenton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "MAN OVERBOARD!" (Thank you M J. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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