Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009 Big bite o' blue Catherine Calhoun, 7, a new resident of Anna Maria and a student at Anna Maria Elementary School, enjoys cotton candy at the weekend arts and crafts (and food) fair in Holmes Beach. The event benefited Wildlife Inc. of Bradenton Beach. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Lacking ROR discussion, AM meeting quiet by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Without amendments to Anna Maria's retail-office-residential district to discuss on its agenda, the city commission sailed through its Jan. 22 meeting with only seven members of the public in attendance. Full Story... Egmont fire alarm Callers to The Islander newspaper Thursday afternoon were relieved to learn that a raging fire on Egmont Key, visible we were told as far away as the Bradenton Financial Center in downtown Bradenton, was in fact a controlled burn. Full Story... Words exchanged, minds change at P&Z hearing by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter In a 4-3 vote, Anna Maria’s planning and zoning board at its Jan. 20 public hearing rejected a number of changes to the city’s retail-office-residential ordinance, pushing a final decision onto the city commission. Full Story... Quinn cleans up AMI Bridge approach by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Following a story in the Jan. 21 edition of The Islander, which prompted an appeal from the Florida Department of Transportation, Anna Maria Island Bridge contractor Quinn Construction Inc. has been actively cleaning up the trash and construction rubble that had collected at the east end of the bridge on Perico Island. Full Story... Temp mooring regs OK'd by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach city commissioners approved a first reading of stop-gap regulations for the waters that the city controls. Full Story... Cold, windy weather blows in by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter An early morning storm Jan. 20 knocked down tree limbs, loosened some utility wires and damaged at least one roof on Anna Maria Island. Full Story... Development private land sought in FISH Preserve by Paul Roat First Cortez had to battle the whims of weather to bring in its fish. Then came development that threatened habitat vital to a vibrant fishery. Full Story... Cramer home invasion trial postponed The trial of the two men charged in the April 17, 2008, home invasion in Anna Maria in which former Commissioner Linda Cramer was injured has been postponed to March, according to the Manatee County Circuit Court clerk’s office. The jury trial was scheduled on the docket for the trial period for Judge Gilbert Smith Jr. that ends Jan. 30, but a continuance was requested last week. Full Story... Holmes Beach city staff honored by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger honored city employees with certificates and a break from work Jan. 21. Full Story... Romine named law enforcement officer of the year by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Crime Stoppers of Manatee County named Holmes Beach Police Chief Jay Romine as its law enforcement officer of the year in a recent ceremony. Full Story... Commissioners to discuss rental restrictions by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Holmes Beach City Commission was scheduled Jan. 27 to take up discussion of a rental restriction passed more than a year ago but still generating controversy. Full Story... Privateers collecting fishing gear The Anna Maria Island Privateers are collecting fishing poles — new, used and even broken — to repair if needed and give to children. Any fishing gear is welcome, including bait nets, bait buckets and tackle. Full Story... Accused priest: I need your prayers by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter “No, never, not ever,” said the Rev. Jean Ronald Joseph, denying before a crowd of about 150 people that he molested a 16-year-old boy in 1993. Full Story... The Islander's Super Bowl XLIII trivia contest Take The Islander’s trivia contest and win a prize and Islandwide recognition as a Super Super Bowl Trivia Buff.  Return ballots by noon Saturday, Jan. 31, to the newspaper office, 5414 Marina Drive, Holmes Beach. Full Story...