Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2004 Shoring up on North Shore After August storms eroded the foundation of this home - and Hurricane Frances sent strong waves and beach current to exacerbate the situation - at 765 N. Shore Drive in Anna Maria, the owners installed concrete support blocks and tons of sand to prevent their home from sliding into the Gulf of Mexico in the event Hurricane Ivan hit the Island. Adjacent homeowners on Shore Drive added sand, rock and the proverbial "kitchen sink," in the hope of saving their homes. Islander Photo: Courtesy C. Daniel Click on image to enlarge Full Story... Ivan puts 'terrible' scare into Island By Bonner Joy, Rick Catlin and Paul Roat. Islander Reporters Five-day forecasts for hurricanes are a lot like marriages. They're a 50-50 proposition. Full Story... Anna Maria adopts tentative budget, millage rate - barely Anna Maria city commissioners at their Sept. 13 budget hearing adopted a tentative $2 million budget with a 2.1 millage rate for 2004-05, but not before they came dangerously close to an impasse. Full Story... Small motels may soon be extinct on Anna Maria Island By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Siam Garden Resort owner Kent Davis in Anna Maria went into "sticker shock" when he got his proposed 2004 tax bill a few weeks ago. The Manatee County Property Appraiser increased the value of his property by 70 percent and raised his taxes $10,000, from $13,000 to $23,000. Full Story... Ethics commission: No violation by Lohn By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter The Florida Commission on Ethics has cleared the chair of the Bradenton Beach Board of Adjustment of any wrongdoing in a charge that he used his position improperly. Full Story... Key Way RV Park sold to Chiles, Whitehead The Key Way RV Park at 12316 Cortez Road W. has been sold to a group headed by local restaurateur Ed Chiles and contractor Brent Whitehead. Full Story...