Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009 Cortez readies 'admission' The admission booths are spruced and readied by volunteers in Cortez for the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival that will be held along village streets Feb. 21-22. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Outdoor fishing festival this weekend in Cortez Cortezians are excited yet “crabby” about this weekend. Full Story... County board narrowly denies Cortez land vacation by Paul Roat Cortezians appear as perplexed as Manatee County Commissioners regarding the request to vacate an undeveloped but platted roadway through a nature preserve just east of the fishing village. Full Story... Anna Maria OKs ROR ordinance by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter In what was expected to be one of the most controversial decisions since Anna Maria adopted a parking plan several years ago, city commissioners at the Feb. 12 final hearing on amendments to the retail-office-residential ordinance voted 4-1 in favor of the ordinance. Full Story... Island real estate marketers poised for sales by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Anna Maria Island real estate market appears poised for a winter season of buyers looking for great bargains. Full Story... Busy season for Island retail economy By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The bad news about the nationwide economy apparently hasn’t affected Anna Maria Island retail stores as a number of owners have reported brisk sales thus far for the winter season. Some are even saying their sales are up compared with last year. Full Story... Schools face $20 million shortfall by Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter The news wasn’t good for Island parents and community members in attendance at an information session hosted by the Manatee County School District Thursday, Feb. 12, in the Anna Maria Elementary School auditorium. Full Story... BOA opens door to case by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Bradenton Beach Board of Adjustment delved into memos and e-mails, call records and meeting minutes in an effort to determine whether it could hold a hearing on a building complaint against the Sunset Beach Motel and The Beach Club at 2201 Gulf Drive. Full Story... 'Fore' for a cause at Key Royale by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Golfers were in the pink Feb. 10 at the Key Royale Club. Full Story... Investigators continue work on Musil-Buehler case by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office received all the results in lab tests conducted in connection with the disappearance of Haley’s Motel owner Sabine Musil-Buehler. Full Story... Commission tweaks comp plan amendments by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach commissioners are nearing the final stage of approving amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan, with a vote coming as early as Feb. 24. Full Story... Commission holds firm on resort rental rule by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city commissioners decided last week not to lessen a restriction on short-term rentals in low-density residential districts from 30 days to seven days. Full Story... Wedding festival a hit with brides-to-be by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If the recently concluded second annual Anna Maria Island Wedding Festival is any indication, the Island is rapidly gaining a reputation as the best place in Florida to hold an island wedding. Full Story... Island fares well with potential transportation stimulus funds A host of projects on Anna Maria Island could receive funding through the federal stimulus windfall. Full Story... Preserve's popularity brings parking problem by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Manatee County Commissioner Carol Whitmore’s Blackberry contained the evidence. Full Story... Hot spots for computer users The surfing is free and easy on the Internet at The Islander, 5404 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Full Story...