Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 'Tis the season - for turtle nesting by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter During sea turtle nesting and hatchling season, which begins May 1 and continues through Oct. 31, state officials, scientists and volunteers along Florida’s coastlines work to collect data and protect the animals. Full Story... Nesting season begins May 1 by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter With the 2008 nesting season about to begin, new statistics show 2007 saw the largest decline in the number of loggerhead sea turtles nesting on Florida’s beaches in 17 years. Full Story... Voices heard in the heat of a moment by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter One caller sounds sleepy. Another afraid. Full Story... Homeowner still has questions about 58th Street fire by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter With a house surrounded on two sides by water and a 30,000 gallon pool upwind of the fire that ravaged his home April 17, Holmes Beach resident Kent Davis and a number of bystanders were left wondering why firefighters couldn’t pump from the bay or Davis’ swimming pool. Full Story... Sprint: 911 fire call misfired by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Pa Davis raced from her burning home on 58th Street in Holmes Beach April 17 and immediately sought help. Full Story... Commission consensus for stormwater fee by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners at their April 24 meeting gave verbal approval for a $45 stormwater utility fee, but held off implementing the fee until after July 1. Full Story... Fiskes seek land-use judgment by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Evelyn and Jack Fiske of South Bay Boulevard in Anna Maria have filed a legal action against Anna Maria, asking for a “declaratory judgment” that their property can be used for commercial marine purposes. Full Story... P&Z public hearing on 'lot/structure' definition The Anna Maria planning and zoning board will hold a public hearing at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 6, for an ordinance that will define the term “lot/structure” in the recently adopted comprehensive plan. Full Story... Concerns rise for Anna Maria beach renourishment by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria beaches might not be included in Manatee County’s planned 2011-12 beach renourishment project - or at least one section of the city’s eroded beach areas - if County Commissioner Ron Getman’s opinion holds water with the other six commissioners. Full Story... High-rise act Scenes on the Anna Maria Island Bridge such as this traffic delay last week caused by work crews repairing sections of the drawbridge can be expected during the next several months as contractor Quinn Construction Co. of Palmetto prepares for its 45-days closure - beginning Sept. 29. In this photo, a worker can be seen 'hanging' onto the top right portion of the bascule. For the latest information on the bridge rehabilitation project, go to www.amibridgerehab.com. People without Internet access may call 941-792-0369 for information. Islander Photo: Molly Sinclair McCartney Bradenton Beach insurance discount to begin by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach property owners can expect to soon get a better discount on their flood insurance premiums, to help offset expected rate hikes. Full Story... Reserved: Nesting birds only Nancy Douglass and Joe Sage of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission stand on the sand near where they reserved a small area on Anna Maria's beach for nesting shore birds. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch walkers in the area will monitor the nesting situation. The state urges people to stay outside the roped area. For more information, call the FFWC at 888-404-3922. Islander Photo: Nancy Ambrose Biggest Gulffront sale ever for Island Mike Norman of Mike Norman Realty recently listed and marketed a Gulffront house on 75th Street in Holmes Beach that has been sold for $3.5 million, the most expensive Gulffront home sale in memory, he said. The sales agent was Barbara Sato or Sato Real Estate. Full Story... Cortez trailer park sale 'done deal' by Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter After tense day-and-night negotiations over the weekend, the residents of the Cortez Trailer Park have all but closed their purchase of the 50-year-old village landmark. Full Story... Cramer upbeat following home invasion, beating by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Former Anna Maria City Commissioner Linda Cramer is continuing to recover following the home invasion April 17 in which two men beat her about the face, tied her up and stole guns, cash and jewelry from the Crescent Drive home where she resides. Full Story... Youth, sister arrested for assault on officer by Mike Quinn. NewsManatee.com editor. Special to The Islander A scuffle with a Bradenton Beach police officer started when a 14-year-old boy blew him a kiss and called the officer “the N-word.” Full Story... Cortez election warms up, sort of by Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Political competition has hit Cortez. It’s downright genteel compared with the national traveling burlesque, but warm enough for the small, history-laden fishing village. Full Story...