Good morning, Bradenton.

Sherry Williams, a Parrish resident, has turned her garden into a mission of kindness by offering free flower jar bouquets amid her grief.

Her Facebook post on Aug. 16 sparked a movement now supported by community donations & followers as she plans to give 1,000 bouquets by next fall.

The Buccaneers will host a Tackling Reading event today in Bradenton that helps boost literacy among local students (offering interactive sessions for kids).

The program partners with community schools to share reading resources.

Bayside Sod has launched Fusion grass (a blend of four St. Augustine varieties) to lower pest and disease risks, and will begin harvesting in November with plans to plant 50-60 additional acres in Manatee County.

On Friday, Manatee County, Nopetro Energy, Johnson Controls, and Mead & Hunt broke ground on a $50 million renewable natural gas facility at Lena Road Landfill that will capture methane for buses and trucks; the project, first announced in Nov.

2025, is expected to power over 4,500 homes.

Manatee County agencies practiced water rescue by simulating a 911 call off Bean Point & Longboat Key to improve communication & trust among crews, with the drill designed to speed up response times during water emergencies.

Stone crab season opens Thursday, Oct.

15 in Bradenton as local seafood vendors will serve fresh stone crab to the community. Residents will enjoy seasonal flavors and support local dining with this traditional event.