Top Stories this week on Anna Maria Island: Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2009 Visitor says, 'This stinks' Beverly Madden, visiting Holmes Beach for the first time for a month from Hyde Park, Vt., said just days ago she could walk out the Manatee Beach pier and watch folks fish, but now she can't walk under the pier or on it. Madden walks the beach and collecting shells for her grandkids, and she thinks "this stinks." It's just for the birds now, and "that's a bummer," she said. FBI agents search Island properties by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter FBI agents executed search warrants at two Anna Maria Island properties Feb. 25. Full Story... Manatee Public Beach pier closed indefinitely by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The pier at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach was blocked to pedestrians Sunday by caution tape and warning signs. Full Story... Holmes Beach official Saunders died Saturday Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger said he was shocked to learn Sunday night that building official Bill Saunders had died. Full Story... Anna Maria P&Z recommends zones combine Anna Maria’s planning and zoning board at a Feb. 17 public hearing agreed in a 3-1 vote to recommend to the city commission that it adopt an ordinance that will merge the city’s Residential 2 (duplex) zone with the Residential 1 (single-family residence) zone. Full Story... No bridge delays planned this week by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Motorists using the Anna Maria Island Bridge and Manatee Avenue should get a break this week as contractor Quinn Construction Co. has no repairs scheduled that would require the company to close the bridge or open the bascule. Full Story... Community Center revenues down by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Anna Maria Island Community Center is continuing to operate and provide critical and necessary programs to Islanders of all ages, but donations and revenues are down because of a bad economy. Full Story... City seeks mooring committee members by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The city of Bradenton Beach is seeking a couple of sailors to help steer its mooring field committee. Full Story... Beached A sailboat rests on the shore at 75th Street in Holmes Beach, having floated up sometime Saturday. U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Parson Gillum would not release the name of the boat owner, but said he is a transient from the Cortez area who has been in the vicinity for several years. The boat "is considered derelict," Gillum said. The Holmes Beach Police posted a notice on the vessel Monday giving notice of 72 hours for its removal. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Water taxi makes rounds By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Mark Bebernitz’s taxi operates mostly in the evenings, shuttling passengers from Cortez to Bradenton Beach to Longboat Key. Full Story... Fish Tale: Innovative sheepshead landing by Ben Mabetti. Special to The Islander Quite often when it’s cold and I don’t want to go to the trouble of putting the kayak on the van or bicycling to stand in the frigid surf at Bean Point, I fish from near Key Royale Bridge. Full Story... Corona's defense attorney to change by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The man accused of stealing the car of missing motel owner Sabine Musil-Buehler is getting a new defense attorney. Full Story... Cumber faces 15 years in prison William Cumber III, a “person of interest” in the disappearance of his girlfriend, faces 15-30 years in jail for an alleged violation of probation. Full Story... Palma Sola highway extension supported by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter An advisory board mapping the future of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway is interested in seeing the roadway designation extended on Manatee Avenue to Manatee Public Beach. Full Story... Mom sentenced to probation by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A Manatee County Circuit Court judge last week sentenced a Holmes Beach woman to probation after she pleaded no contest on a drug charge. Full Story... Couple charged with bank robberies A Cortez woman has been arrested on charges of robbing three banks and is a suspect in a fourth bank robbery. Her husband also has been arrested in connection with the crimes. Full Story... Former youth group members defend priest by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Rudy Bigord earns a living helping people get on track and improve their lives while on probation for a crime. Full Story... TECO first Lois Huntington, pictured here, with husband Tom of 30th Street in Holmes Beach, became the first residential customer hooked up to the first natural gas line that was recently installed by TECO-People's Gas on the Island. Huntington also has a gas water heater and two gas fireplaces at her Island home. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Hard data needed on fire district consolidation by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter West Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Andy Price told the Feb. 19 meeting of the WMFR district board that consolidation of the county’s fire districts was discussed at a recent meeting of the Manatee Council of Governments. Full Story...