Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2005 Blazing Firefighters with the West Manatee Fire & Rescue District responded to an early evening blaze at 100 Seventh St. S. in Bradenton Beach Dec. 22. The building was unoccupied at the time, and was quickly extinguished. The cause of the fire is still under investigation, according to fire officials. Islander Photo: Courtesy Tjet Martin 2005: The year in review - Part One By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Below is the first half of The Islander's 2005 year in review, January through June. Full Story... Monsters ball in Anna Maria These three-story single family homes are now under construction on Pine Avenue in Anna Maria on the site of the former Island Marine. The City of Anna Maria could have purchased the five lots comprising the property two years ago for $2 million, but declined. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Renourishment on holiday Equiment used by Goodloe Marine Inc. for the Island beach renourishment project sits idle and the company has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a suspension of the project for a few months because of the upcoming winter tourist season. Bad weather in the Gulf of Mexico has forced Goodloe to halt the project numerous times since they began work July. Beach renourishment had reached from 80th Street in Holmes Beach to 19th Street in Bradenton Beach before the project was again halted last week. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Christmas tourism lagging By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Island accommodation owners and hoteliers are hoping the Christmas tourism season will bring an overflow crowd to the Island, but preliminary indications are that holiday reservations are lagging. Full Story... Canal dredging projects planned for 2006 By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter HIn a project short in scope but long in process, Bradenton Beach officials hope to dredge the city’s two canals by mid-2006. Full Story... Tidemark sales brisk, project on 'fast track' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If anyone's interested in purchasing a unit at Nick Eastlering's planned 40-unit Tidemark hotel and condominium in Holmes Beach at today's prices, they'd better act fast. Full Story...