Cortez News

U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan, R-Longboat Key, left, took time to listen to issues of concern with Ed Natkie, right, of the Mount Vernon community near Cortez and others following a town hall meeting May 11 at Holmes Beach City Hall.

Cortez resident Newell Freeman, left, talks about the Cortez Bridge with the DOT's Brian Williams at the April 29 meeting on the bridge, held at the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 6101 Cortez Rd.

It's not often I get to do it, but I enjoy driving across high-level fixed bridges in Florida.

BRADENTON The World Fishing Network channel has included local fishing village Cortez in a list of nominees for its 2013 Ultimate Fishing Town contest.

They suggested everything from no bridge at all to a giant fixed span, according to Tony Sherrard, senior project manager for the Florida Department of Transportation, which organized the public meeting at the Kirkwood Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.

Signs warning swimmers of the dangerous current at Longboat Pass are scattered throughout the area.

A public meeting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. tomorrow at Kirkwood Presbyterian Church, 6101 Cortez Road, Bradenton, to gather public feedback about the future of Cortez Bridge as part of a Project Development and Environment study.