Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2007 A bridge to controversy ... Planned bridge closure concerns fire officials By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Island mayors: Time for new bridge? By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter AMI Bridge closure draws Island ire By Paul Roat AME reflects on 'Lannon's Way' By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter When Pete Lannon was hired as a Holmes Beach police officer seven years ago, it wasn’t Chief Jay Romine’s intention for him to spend most of his time at the Island school. Full Story... 'Nit-picking' the Anna Maria comp plan By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter At first glance, the Florida Department of Community Affair’s Objections, Recommendations and Comments report on the submitted revisions to Anna Maria’s comprehensive plan had so many complaints that it might seem as if the DCA had taken nearly five years worth of effort by the city and flushed it down the toilet. Full Story... Bayfest brings out crowds By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Some went to Bayfest for the retail and some for the reggae. Full Story... Two Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates will debate issues at The Islander newspaper's election forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, at Bradenton Beach City Hall. Elect Michael Pierce Elect Bill Shearon Defendant in beach shooting pleads no contest One of the two men arrested in connection with the Easter Sunday shootings at Coquina Beach pleaded no contest to several charges this month. Full Story... Trick-or-treat tradition carries on with 'Trail' By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Expect to come across a devil or two next week, as well as a number of fairies, witches, princesses, pirates and pumpkins. Full Story... HB planning commission revisits zoning request By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A request from LaPensee Plumbing to rezone a Manatee Avenue office building received a split decision the second time around the planning commission. Full Story... Police arrest juvenile for skate park, sign vandalism By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach police arrested a juvenile for a misdemeanor in connection with the Oct. 8 vandalism at the city’s popular skate park on Marina Drive and anti-Semitic graffiti found on street signs. Full Story... Palma Sola highway group adopts bylaws By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Participants in the Palma Sola Scenic Highway project adopted bylaws Oct. 10 that codify how the group operates going into the new year. Full Story... Pumped out, but still in business The Holmes Beach Pure Station, 5333 Gulf Drive, ran out of gas on Oct. 16 - on purpose. Owner Bret Vande Vrede says the station no longer will sell gas, and instead will focus on building its full-service garage business. Vrede says it would have taken more than a decade for the station to earn enough in gasoline sales to cover the expense of new tanks required by 2009 under Florida environmental protection laws. "I'm sorry to see it go," Vrede says of the gas sales, but adds, "We're not going anywhere." Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Docks OK'd at Sandpiper Resort in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat Docks are in, multi-use trail and vacation of a street is out at Sandpiper Mobile Resort in Bradenton Beach. Full Story... Opening day arrives for stone crab season By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter They stood in line Oct. 15 outside Moore’s Stone Crab Restaurant on Longboat Key and at the door to the Cortez Bait and Seafood Shop in Cortez. Full Story... Turtle season nears close Anna Maria Turtle Watch members are watching and waiting for the nesting season’s end. Full Story...