Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2006 Island in the sun Photographer Jack Elka last week took this aerial photo that captures most of the City of Anna Maria looking northwest from the southern city limit abutting Holmes Beach at Bimini Bay. Elka shot photographs from a helicoptor at the city's request of areas where seagrass beds still exist in preparation for an upcoming submission for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection permit for anticipated repair work on the bayfront jetties at the entrance to Lake La Vista. Islander Photo: Jack Elka Costly boat fire Firefighters from West Manatee Fire & Rescue work to extinguish this boat fire Feb. 7 on a canal at 521 71st St. in Holmes Beach. Full Story... New sign ordinance will primarily affect real estate By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A new sign ordinance under consideration by the Anna Maria City Commission could drastically reduce the size and number of real estate signs in the city. Full Story... And the survey says: no By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria voters are overwhelmingly against any consolidation with Holmes Beach or Bradenton Beach, according to a survey of 259 registered voters in the city completed last week by Commission Chairperson John Quam. Full Story... Pier plans progressing in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Plans are moving forward for permits, funds and a schedule for the repair and renovation of the Bradenton Beach City Pier, with the reopening of the defunct restaurant still planned for June 2007. Full Story... Goodloe rakes in taxpayer cash while stalling Island By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter At the same time Goodloe Marine of Apollo Beach was reportedly demanding $70,000 from Manatee County, Holmes Beach and Bradenton Beach to remove its pipes and equipment from the Island's beaches for the next two months, the company has been hauling in millions of dollars from federal contracts - courtesy of U.S. taxpayers. Full Story... Dredgers required to protect turtles By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The recent death of a green sea turtle in the intake of the Longboat Key beach renourishment dredge has highlighted the extraordinary measures in place for turtle protection. Full Story... Lucky cat Warren North, 86, of Cincinnati, Ohio, escaped serious injury Feb. 7 when Manatee County Area Transit's Island trolley struck him while he was bicycling in Anna Maria. The incident occurred on Pine Avenue near the Gulf Drive intersection. North was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies stationed in Anna Maria are investigating the crash, but no charges have been filed. MCAT officials are also looking into the incident. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin. Moore's proposal on Longboat ballot in March The proposal that would allow housing to replace Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant will be decided by Longboat Key voters in their March election. Full Story...