Top Stories this week: Wednesday, October 1, 2008 Traffic flows to and from the mainland last week on the Anna Maria Island Bridge in late September. On Monday, Sept. 29, the Manatee Avenue structure closed to motorists for 45 days and $10.1 million in repairs. Islander Photo: Jack Elka Days of reckoning: Island holds breath as AMI bridge closed by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Island business owners and concerned residents will spend the next few weeks holding their collective breath. Crews for contractor Quinn Construction Co. of Palmetto have closed the Anna Maria Island Bridge to normal vehicle traffic for the next 45 days. Full Story... MCAT offers driving alternatives for bridge closure The Manatee County Area Transit will provide Islanders and mainlanders with several alternatives for transportation during the scheduled 45-day closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge that began Sept. 29. Full Story... Two-wheelin' to Turkey Day by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter I fell into fall without a resolution. Full Story... Detour to Paradise by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Islander staff invites you to join us on a Detour to Paradise as we ride out the closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge through Nov. 13. Full Story... Drive-time tracks by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Spending more time in the auto these days with the closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge and a detour to Cortez Road? Full Story... Humpback bridge closed indefinitely by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners at the Sept. 23 budget hearing learned from public works director George McKay that during repairs to the humpback bridge on North Bay Boulevard, a safety issue came to light. Slabs on the north approach need repairs that might cost the city about $8,200, he said. Full Story... Bayside erosion worries homeowners by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Big name storms sent big bruising waves crashing against property along North Shore Drive last month. Full Story... New fiscal year arrives by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Oct. 1 starts a new year in Florida, with municipalities operating under new 2008-09 budgets. Full Story... Credit crisis could affect Anna Maria budget by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners learned the hard facts of being at the low end of the municipal credit market at their Sept. 23 public hearing, when they unanimously approved a $2.2 million operating budget for 2008-09 budget and a property tax drop from 2.0415 to 1.7882 mills. Full Story... Holmes Beach approves new budget Holmes Beach city commissioners unanimously approved a 2008-09 budget of $4.325 million at their Sept. 23 public hearing on the budget, a decline of 12.7 percent from last year’s budget, city treasurer Rick Ashley said. Full Story... State to celebrate TIFF's Initiative Florida Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp and state Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, will join others Oct. 2 in Bradenton to celebrate the second anniversary of the Emergency Contact Information Program and TIFF’s Initiative. Full Story... Donor account for Welch granddaughter With the sudden passing of their son, Curtis, on Sept. 18, Anna Maria building official Bob Welch and wife Monica have established a fund to benefit their granddaughter, 6-year-old Gwen Welch. Full Story... Cortez man arrested for burglary, threats against girlfriend Ray Allen Schwartz of Cortez was arrested Sept. 19 and charged with burglary after threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend. Full Story...