Security officers helping prepare for Bradenton Area River Regatta located a deceased, decomposing manatee on the shore of the Manatee River near the railroad bridge Friday morning. Bradenton Police Department immediately notified animal care specialists with The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature‘s Parker Manatee Rehabilitation Habitat,

As the Bradenton Area River Regatta returns for its 10th year, organizers retold the story of how the event came together — and how state leaders cleared the way for one of Manatee County’s biggest events. More than a decade ago, sports promoter Mike Fetchko was heading back to Pittsburgh when his phone rang.