Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2008 Beverly O'Brien of Anna Maria walks three mornings a week on the beach. Jan. 3 proved no exception, but O'Brien wore a lot more clothes than usual - jeans, a warm outer shell and a fleece jacket. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Cold snap hits Island By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Islanders experienced sympathy pains with northern friends and family as daytime temperatures last week plummeted to the high 30s. Full Story... Island writer Bob Ardren dies by Paul Roat The world is a bit smaller with the death of Bob Ardren early on New Year’s Day. Full Story... Bradenton Beach zips through first meeting of year From trash fees to banner requests, invoice payments to truck repairs - oh, and some new stop signs - Bradenton Beach city commissioners zipped through their first meeting of 2008 in 43 minutes. Full Story... More parking to be reviewed in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat Parking issues in the “downtown” area of Bradenton Beach are still under review, after about a year’s study and two consultants’ reports. Full Story... Unhappy holiday An 11-year-old girl from New England vacationing in the City of Anna Maria with her parents during the Christmas break suffered a head injury when she fell while skateboarding along a city sidewalk Dec. 24. The girl was flown by Bayflite to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg, but it was later determined she was not seriously injured in the accident. According to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office report of the incident, the girl was not wearing a helmet at the time of the mishap. Islander Photo: Toni Lyons Island Bridge renovation ready for February start By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The start of the $9.14 million renovation of the Anna Maria Island Bridge has been delayed until Feb. 4, a month later than the Florida Department of Transportation had originally indicated when it announced the project last year. Full Story... Islanders meet challenge for Center By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Island community united in a campaign to increase donations to the Anna Maria Island Community Center in December. Full Story... Big work going on in northern Cortez By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter A new business, new buildings going up, a new bridge — it’s all part of a $17 million project along the north side of Cortez Road in the historic fishing village of Cortez. Full Story... Parks committee survey adopted sites By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee is beginning 2008 with a survey of the city’s adopted greenspaces. Full Story... Bradenton Beach cop arrests woman on robbery charge By Mike Quinn. NewsManatee.com Publisher. Special to The Islander Bradenton Beach Police Sgt. J. Gill located and arrested Kellie Evers, 39, of the 3600 block of 51st Street Court, Bradenton, after Evers attempted to rob a friend of Gill's outside Clancy's Bar, Bradenton, on Dec. 31. Full Story... Information sought in former Bradenton Beach resident's death By Mike Quinn. NewsManatee.com Publisher. Special to The Islander The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office is looking for information regarding the slaying of former Bradenton Beach resident Brian T. Morrissey, 51, who was found dead early in December 2007 in Sarasota. Full Story... That's entertainment Opinion by Rick Catlin Islander Reporter This past Christmas week, my wife and I took our two teenagers and their cousin from Trinidad - by way of Canada - to Universal Theme Park in Orlando. Full Story... Charge amended in Normand shooting By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A charge in the shooting of Sue Normand at her Island Mail & More store in Holmes Beach was amended last week to aggravated battery with a firearm. Full Story...