Top Stories this week: Wednesday, March 22, 2006 Four arrested on drug charges in Bradenton Beach Bradenton Beach Det. Sgt. Lenard Diaz is pictured with some of the drugs and paraphernalia officers collected Sunday after searching a cottage at 103 Fourth St. N. Working off a tip from a confidential informant that marijuana was being sold there to high school students, Diaz and other officers investigated the residence for two months. An undercover officer made two buys before a search warrant was obtained and executed. Arrested on marijuana possession and possession to sell charges, as well as possession of drug paraphernalia, were two unnamed juveniles, Robert R. Gordon, 54, and David A. Lanzillo, 20, all of Bradenton Beach. Officers seized about 50 grams of marijuana and upwards of 30 pipes. "It was pretty bold to be selling this stuff a block away from the police department," Diaz said. Islander Photo: Paul Roat Public hearing on bridge opening times next Wednesday The U.S. Coast Guard has scheduled a public hearing for 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29 at the Holmes Beach City Hall on changing the opening times for the Cortez Bridge and the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Full Story... Anna Maria gives 'thumbs up' to road improvement scheme By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A project four years in the making in Anna Maria is fast becoming a reality. Full Story... Board says 'junk' boat must go away By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Members of the Anna Maria Code Enforcement Board ruled at their March 13 meeting that a boat located at 319 Tarpon St. has been "abandoned" and ordered the property owner to get rid of the vessel by March 20 or face a fine of up to $250 per day until the boat is removed from the property. Full Story... Commission to consider Pine Avenue purchase Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn will ask the city commission at its March 23 meeting to consider purchasing property on Pine Avenue for use by the public works department. Full Story... Seaweed invasion sours tourism By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Seems that seaweed likes Anna Maria. Last week, Anna Maria's beaches from Bean Point south to past the Sandbar restaurant were treated to invasion of the noxious weed, spoiling a few vacations and creating an unpleasant smell. Full Story... Spring break, Easter bonus for Island means heavy traffic By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter It doesn't take much for Islanders to figure that the Island is packed with visitors. All one has to do is take the car for a ride along Gulf Drive any afternoon to figure this one out, or try to find a parking spot at Manatee Public Beach any time after 10 a.m. Full Story... Stalker arrested Special to The Islander from Mike Quinn Bradenton Beach police assisted the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in making an arrest Friday of a man wanted for stalking. Full Story... Public hearing March 29 on bridge openings The U.S. Coast Guard has scheduled a public hearing at the Holmes Beach City Hall for 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, on a requested change to the schedule of "timed" openings for the Anna Maria Island and Cortez bridges. Full Story... Homeless man arrested inside Key Royale residence Holmes Beach police arrested a homeless man inside a Key Royale residence Monday, March 13, after he was discovered inside the home without permission. Full Story... Planning commission reviews zoning conflicts By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter The Holmes Beach Planning Commission held a public hearing March 16 to discuss a small plan amendment proposal to redesignate the properties located east of Gulf Drive, between 52nd Street and Anna Maria Elementary School, from low density to medium density on the city's future land use map. Full Story... Whitmore says no to county commission seat Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore has made it official: She's not going to run for an at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission this November, although she remains firm that she will not seek re-election as mayor. Full Story... Moore's wins Round 1 at election Moore's Stone Crab Restaurant owners have cleared the first hurdle to rezoning the family property from commercial to residential, but it's only a first step, said Alan Moore. Full Story... New 100-foot ladder truck coming to WMFR-Station No. 1 By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter West Manatee Fire and Rescue District commissioners approved the purchase of a new 100-foot ladder truck to replace an existing firetruck at Station No. 1 in Holmes Beach. Full Story...