🌱 How much tourist cash did Palmetto quietly rake in this March?
Palmetto, Florida Patch AM: a 4 min readGreetings Palmetto! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How much tourist cash did Palmetto quietly rake in this March?
- Who would vandalize 17 graves in a historic Palmetto cemetery?
- Why Palmetto’s mayor is getting dunked at LECOM Park Saturday
Also on today's calendar: 2026 Sarasota Guitar and Amp Show and 3 more events.
Today's riddle: what do you call a rabbit with fleas? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Wednesday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 86 and low of 73 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Thursday: Mostly sunny, temps: high: 87, low: 72.
- Friday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 88 and low of 72 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. March bed tax tops $6.4M (islander.org) — Palmetto brought in nearly $130,000 in March tourist bed taxes, a small but notable slice of Manatee County’s record $6.4 million haul. Local leaders use this growing revenue stream for tourism projects, from beach renourishment to facilities like the convention center, which can indirectly shape Palmetto’s economy and future amenities. 
2. 17 graves vandalized at Palmetto cemetery known for ties to Black community (wfla.com) — Seventeen gravesites at Old Memphis Cemetery on 25th Street in Palmetto were recently vandalized, with headstones broken, toppled, and spray-painted. The historic cemetery, long tied to the local Black community, is now under investigation by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, which is asking anyone with information to come forward or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously.
3. Kiwanis Family Festival Brings Special Needs Community Celebration and Stars Night to LECOM Park (thebradentontimes.com) — Palmetto residents can see their mayor, Dan West, hop in the dunk tank at this Saturday’s Kiwanis Family Festival at LECOM Park in Bradenton. The free, family-focused event celebrates the differently-abled community with kids’ activities, vendors, a Celebration Troupe performance, fundraising dunk tank, and a fireworks finale from 5–9 p.m. on May 16.
4. Fired Bradenton police officer forced way into home, shoved ex, deputies say (bradenton.com) — A former Bradenton police officer is facing burglary and battery charges after deputies say she forced her way into a Palmetto home on 58th Way East and pushed a former partner to the ground. She has been fired from the department, released under supervised pretrial conditions, and is ordered to stay away from the Palmetto victim and homeowner while the case proceeds.
📸 Around Palmetto
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🗓
Upcoming Events in
Palmetto
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
2026 Sarasota Guitar and Amp Show →
3000 Ringling Blvd, Sarasota
10:00 am
Saturday June 6
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
-
General Employees' Pension Board Meeting →
Palmetto Calendar, 516 8th Ave W, Palmetto
8:30 am -
Police Officers' Pension Board Meeting →
Palmetto Calendar, 516 8th Ave W, Palmetto
11:00 am -
Ukulele Jam Session: Level 3
Palmetto Branch Library Auditorium,
3:00 pm -
City Commission/CRA Workshop & City Commission/CRA Board Meetings →
Palmetto Calendar, 516 8th Ave W, Palmetto
4:30 pm -
Planning and Zoning Board Meeting →
Palmetto Calendar, 516 8th Avenue West, Palmetto
5:45 pm
Monday May 18
Thursday May 21
📣 Palmetto Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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Homeschool Wednesdays at Canvas & Clay!
Canvas & Clay Art Studio, 839 8th Ave W, Palmetto
1:00 pm -
Chamber Night
Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 8799 Cortez Road W, Bradenton
4:30 pm -
EXCEL - LEVEL 2 - HANDS ON CLASSES at SCF →
SCF Lakewood Ranch (CIT), 7131 Professional Pkwy E, Sarasota
9:00 am -
MYP Social with the Marauders - May 14, 2026 - LECOM Park →
LECOM Park, 1611 9th Street West, Bradenton
5:30 pm -
TCT - In-Person Scheduled
Manatee Literacy Council, 3501 Cortez Rd W, Bradenton
1:00 pm -
Music in the Park
Bradenton Riverwalk Pavilion, 452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton
6:00 pm -
Manatee Music Series at GT Bray Park's Amphitheater →
Manatee Chamber of Commerce, 2910 51st St W, Bradenton
6:00 pm
Wednesday May 13
Thursday May 14
Friday May 15
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- This pickup truck crashed into my mailbox—ripping it out completely—and didn't even stop to say goodbye.
Excuse me... but if anyone knows the owner of this vehicle, please tell him that I'm still waiting for him, because I need him to fix my mailbox. … (Nextdoor Palmetto Proper)
- Hut American Group, LLC posted a job opening for Team Member in Palmetto. Apply here.
- Bealls, Inc. - Burkes Outlet posted a job opening for bealls Merchandise Supervisor in Palmetto. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Palmetto here.
Ok Palmetto! 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: Bugs Bunny ! (Thank you bruce A. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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