Top Stories - This Week: Wednesday, March. 24, 2004 Fire closes historic Waterfront restaurant in Anna Maria By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Through the kitchen window A fire investigater checks the area of the burned-out kitchen of the Waterfront Restaurant following the early morning fire Friday. A firefighter applies water under the eaves near the kitchen of the Waterfront restaurant where smoke and flames were still showing shortly after 6 a.m. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Click on image to enlarge Full Story... Police, parents keep tabs on Island sex offenders By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Concerned about the recent abduction and murder of 11-year-old Sarasota schoolgirl Carlie Bruscia, Island police and parents are keeping a watchful eye on any sex offenders who live on the Island. Full Story... Curbside recycling to start - finally - in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Curbside recycling is finally coming to Bradenton Beach. Public Works Director Dottie Poindexter said blue bins and white buckets would be distributed to sanitation customers the first week in April, with collection expected to begin later in the month. Full Story... At long last, a parking space in Anna Maria - maybe By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Hard to believe, but the Anna Maria City Commission appears on the verge of approving a parking plan for the city after more than 80 years of parking problems and endless committees and recommendations. Full Story... Turtle lighting becomes request for all-inclusive study By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter A discussion by the Bradenton Beach Corridor Management Entity at its March 16 meeting of turtle-friendly street lights along State Road 789 (Gulf Drive) turned into a request to ask the city commission to fund an all-encompassing engineering study of a host of issues. Full Story... Fire district to try again By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Members of the West Manatee Fire & Rescue District board and WMFR Chief Andy Price conducted a post-mortem March 18 on the 128-vote failure of the proposed ad valorem tax initiative for the district. Full Story... IMS won't appeal school board decision, hires shutdown coordinator By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter The Island Middle School Board of Directors agreed that it may not be wise to appeal the Manatee County School Board's decision to end its charter. Full Story...

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