Which stories did you click the most in 2018?


They were stories about “nipplegate” and “bra-cotts.” And threats to our schools after the massacre in Parkland.

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And red tide in our water, in our air and on our beaches. Lots of red tide, the story of the year in Bradenton and Manatee County as decided by you, the readers, and the stories you read on Bradenton.com in 2018.


You also read about crime. And happier news, about a Palmetto lottery winner and when the cast of a reality show set on “Siesta Key” checked out the scene at a popular watering hole in Bradenton.


As for the most-viewed local video, it was about a giant gator.

Here’s a closer look at what you were reading in 2018:

 
1. School tells Bradenton girl to cover up her nipples
A Bradenton student said she was asked to cover her nipples with bandages after they became a distraction for other students at Braden River High School. Lizzy Martinez, 17, decided not to wear a bra under her gray long-sleeve shirt, and school officials felt she became a target of her classmates’ stares. But Martinez says the humiliation began when a dean called her into the office.


 


2. His body was dumped on side of the road and set on fire. Cops now know his name

The man who detectives say was killed and dumped alongside a rural Manatee County road and set on fire was identified as Antonio Maurice Bradley, 35, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Detectives believe that Bradley may have been killed before being brought to the remote location in Myakka City, dumped and set on fire. By the time his body was found, it had been severely burned.

 
3. ‘They’re all dead.’ That may be why red tide has quit dumping fish on local beaches, official says

“I often wonder that even though we’re still seeing high levels of red tide along our shorelines, we’re not seeing the number of dead fish that we used to, and I’m afraid it’s because the fish aren’t there,” said Charlie Hunsicker, Manatee County’s director of parks and natural resources, during a meeting of the Tiger Bay Club. “Some of our offshore reefs at the moment look like deserts. They used to be resplendent with plants and sea fans waving in the reef. That’s all gone. They’re all dead.”

 
4. ‘Bracott’ to take place at Braden River High after student was told to cover

Lizzy Martinez, the girl who decided not to wear a bra and was then told to hide her nipples at Braden River High School, organized a “bracott” with fellow students. Participating girls could forgo their bras, and participating boys could place bandages over their shirts.

 
5. Siesta Key’ stars seen filming at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton

Cast members of the MTV reality series were seen taping new scenes at Motorworks Brewing in Bradenton.

 
6. Threatening note found at Manatee High School is a credible threat, cops say

A threatening note was found at Manatee High School, one of several that shut down local school campuses in the wake of the massacre of 17 students and adults at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on Feb. 14.

 
7. This red tide update has bad news for Anna Maria Island, Longboat Key

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation reported a sharp increase in red tide in the Gulf of Mexico off Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key, one of several such reports to affect visits to the beaches starting in early August and into the fall.

 
8. Red tide reaches some Anna Maria Island beaches


The first reports of red tide on Anna Maria Island came on Aug. 5


 
9. When will red tide go away? It’s not looking good
It wasn’t the answer we were looking for.


10. Man kills wife, step-daughter before shooting himself in Lakewood Ranch, cops say

A husband and wife and her teenage daughter were dead after an argument following their 3-year-old’s birthday party turned violent at their Lakewood Ranch home.

The next 15

 
11. Hundreds of dead fish line Siesta Key beach. Red tide may be heading to Manatee next


 


12. Is a super bloom on the way? Scientists worry a ‘brown tide’ will merge with red tide


13. Bradenton man charged with raping daughter, posting video on dark web


14. Five Braden River students charged with raping girl


 
15. Hundreds gather along Anna Maria Island beach in demonstration against red tide


16. Palmetto woman becomes instant multimillionaire with winning scratch-off


17. Two Lakewood Ranch High School students die in crash


 
18. Construction crane collapses in downtown Bradenton, killing worker


19. Seven Manatee gang members charged with six murders, other crimes


20. Man shot to death at Bradenton bar


 
21. Red tide gives way to nice day on Anna Maria Island. But that doesn’t mean it will last


 
22. Red tide renews its nasty grip on Anna Maria Island beaches


23. Construction will close this I-75 ramp in Manatee County for 10 months, FDOT says


 
24. Going north? This low-cost airline adds nine flight destinations from SRQ


25. Four Winn-Dixie stores in Bradenton, Sarasota among 94 locations closing


This story was originally published December 19, 2018 5:00 AM.

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