Top Stories this week: Wednesday, March. 30, 2005 Sunrise lacking, Easter service spirit abundant The sunrise was obscured by fog and low clouds, but the service to celebrate Christ, risen from his tomb this date, was inspiring nonetheless to the thousands who gathered for the 41st annual Easter Sunrise Service sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island. All Island churches participated in the event and shared the offering of $5,173. Click image to enlarge Paradise lost is found By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Jimmy Buffett can eat his cheeseburger in paradise - and keep playing his music. Full Story... Cortez school rehab starting Monday By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter After years of wrenching difficulties and delays, and a last-minute governmental wrench, the Cortez school rehabilitation project will get under way Monday, April 4. Full Story... Cortez getting turn lane this year By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter APAC Southeast will put a left-turn lane in Cortez Road for $2.5 million starting in August. Full Story... Easter bunny ready to hop into Cafe on the Beach Roser 'Last Supper' re-enactment celebrates Holy Week Members of Roser Memorial Community Church re-enacted Leonardo Da Vinci's "Last Supper" tableau on Holy Thursday preceding Easter. Church members Roger Roark, Doug DeLong, Ron Vandemann, Bill Willis, Chris Waiters, Lyle Kuhlmann, Bernie Ris, Mark Foxon, Renal Hook, Jim Coleman, Ed Kirk and John Staal were the disciples at the Lord's Table, and then delivered communion to the congregation. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Police pension benefit increase fails By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter After more than seven months of wrangling and debate over an increase in the Holmes Beach police pension benefits, city commissioners effectively defeated the measure March 22 when the vote on the ordinance ended in a 2-2 tie. Commissioner Don Maloney was absent from the meeting. Full Story... Holmes Beach sex offender leaves town The convicted sexual offender who had been living at 4500A Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach - as reported in the March 16 Islander - has packed his bags and left for the mainland, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement Web site. The man’s new address is 2202 Ninth Ave. W. in Bradenton, according to the FDLE. Full Story... 'Be ready' watchwords from national hurricane conference By Don Maloney. Islander Reporter The 27th Annual "Nation's forum for Education and Professional Training in Hurricane preparedness" was held in New Orleans March 21-25. Thanks to our four big winds last year, men and women involved in Florida emergency management had many stories to tell the rest of the country - stories about their successes and failures with how they prepared for the storms, what they did to weather it, and how they are still handling the cleaning up after. Full Story...