Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 A beautiful day, Easter Sunday The Kiwanis Club of Anna Maria Island presented its 42nd Easter Sunrise Service at the Manatee Public Beach and the continued success was evident by the thousand or so attendees. A welcome from club president Al Guy was followed by music, prayers, scripture, hymns, a sermon and an offering, which is shared among the participating Island churches. It was a beautiful start to a beautiful day of Christian celebration. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Easter Sunrise Service participation: The Rev. Harry Parsell of the Episcopal Church of the Annunciation; the Rev. Dick Baker of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church; the Rev. Stephen King of Harvey Memorial Community Church; the Rev. Dale Lawson of Island Baptist Church; the Rev. Gary Batey of Roser Memorial Community Church; Marjie Sheehan, pastoral minister of St. Bernard Catholic Church; the Rev. Jim Meena, Steve Wicker, Bob LoPiccolo, Dennis Dietz and Bob Kaltenbaugh. Special thanks were offered by Kiwanis to contributors Cafe on the Beach, Kmart garden cener and Bailey Printing. Bradenton man still critical after bridge accident A young Bradenton man remains in critical condition in a Tampa hospital after a late-night crash on the Anna Maria Island Bridge April 8 killed the driver. Full Story... Commission compromise derails sign confrontation By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter An expected showdown between local real estate agents and the Anna Maria City Commission over its proposed sign ordinance failed to materialize at the April 13 commission meeting when commissioners agreed to a number of proposals in the ordinance favorable to the industry. Full Story... Island school dedication May 1 By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter The long-awaited grand opening celebration for the new Anna Maria Elementary School is just around the corner. Construction crews are working around the clock to ensure all is ready for the May 1 dedication ceremony, says AME Principal Kathy Hayes. Full Story... Report says Island tourism still down By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter While it would be hard to tell from all the vehicular traffic and beachgoers on Anna Maria Island the past two months, the latest occupancy figures from the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau indicate tourism to the Island is considerably down from last year. Full Story... Not good news High winds and heavy surf in the Gulf of Mexico kept the Goodloe Marine dredge "Millennium" in safe harbor on the east side of Anna Maria near the city pier for a few days last week. Goodloe has resumed the beach renourishment operation, but has only until May 30 to complete the project, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Islander Photo: Jack Elka Vision of Bradenton Beach future under creation By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter A new vision of Bradenton Beach is coalescing. Members of the city’s Waterfronts: Accessible, Viable, Environmentally Sustainable committee met last week in an ongoing process to determine the path upon which the program will proceed in its two-year mission to improve, enhance and preserve the city’s waterfront and beyond. Full Story... Another fine GSR mess, Ollie! By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If the legal troubles for Villa Rosa developers GSR LLC continue to mount, someone’s going to have to print a scorecard to tell Islanders who the players are - and which side they’re on. Full Story... Parks and beautification committee to meet again By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter Customarily, the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee adjourns for the season following its April meeting. However, members agreed they currently have too many open projects and so they will meet again in May. Full Story...