Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 The FISH Preserve encompasses about 100 acres at the eastern edge of Cortez. Islander Photo: Jack Elka FISH: 2008 Islander of the year It is with pride that The Islander newspaper names an organization across the waters as 2008 Islander of the year: the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage in Cortez. Full Story... New reward offered in Haley's mystery by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Manatee County’s Gold Star Club upped the ante for information helping to solve the disappearance of Haley’s Motel owner Sabine Musil-Buehler. Full Story... 2008 year in review by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Islander takes a look back at the first half of 2008 from the perspective of Anna Maria Island. Full Story... Bradenton man improving after crash A Bradenton man appears to be improving following a Dec. 14 single-vehicle crash on Perico Island. Full Story... Alonso: Citation violates free speech by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Mark Alonso of Anna Maria may have lost his November bid for a city commission seat, but he’s become something of a Tampa Bay celebrity the past few weeks over his refusal to remove some signs from his bicycles. Full Story... Beach study to examine bayside sand by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Residents of Anna Maria’s bayside living south of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s marker that separates the Gulf of Mexico from inland waters will not be included in the planned Manatee County beach renourishment project in 2011-12. Full Story... MPO to consider bridge review committee by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Sarasota-Bradenton Metropolitan Planning Organization has been asked to study a recommendation from the Florida Department of Transportation to appoint a bridge review committee to examine any proposed architectural designs for a replacement to the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Full Story... Island had busy holiday week by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Many Island accommodation owners and managers experienced a merry week between the Christmas and New Year holidays as rooms were gobbled up faster than a holiday turkey at a Weight Watchers convention. Full Story... Gun incident preceded suicide/attempted murder by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Less than a month before Jeremiah Edland shot a Bradenton man and then killed himself, he was involved in an alleged shooting incident in Holmes Beach. Full Story... Koenigs imprisoned in Orange County by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The man convicted of shooting an Island businesswoman is being held at the Florida Department of Corrections Central Florida Reception Center. Full Story... Blast on the beach The BeachHouse Restaurant, 200 Gulf Drive N. Bradenton Beach, ushers in the new year with a bang - lots of them. The restaurant hosted a public fireworks display on the beach at midnight. Islander Photo: Dara Caudill of www.islandphotography.org St. Bernard priest under investigation by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A St. Bernard Catholic Church priest has come under investigation for alleged sexual misconduct in Fort Myers 15 years ago. Full Story...