Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007 Snow storm excites holiday open house patrons in Holmes Beach. The Privateers bring Christmas cheer and Santa Claus to Anna Maria Island parade. Police, victim seek motive in shooting By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter "Why shoot me?" Sue Normand wondered aloud as she rested in a bed awaiting surgery in intensive care at St. Petersburg's Bayfront Medical Center Dec. 6. Full Story... Web site to assist Normand Friends and family of Sue Normand have launched a website, www.supportsue.com, to provide updates on the Islander’s recovery and to welcome assistance. Full Story... Customer service: Attorney provides aid in minutes after shooting By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Bruce Henke arrived to Island Mail & More on a Wednesday morning with his hands full - two shopping bags and a cup of Starbucks coffee. Full Story... AME principal proactive in emergency By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter As soon as Anna Maria Elementary School principal Tom Levengood was alerted that a shooting took place within the city of Holmes Beach Wednesday, Dec. 5, and that the suspect was at large, he took action. Full Story... Police pursue leads in homicide By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Carla Ann Beard left a drug and alcohol treatment center in Sarasota Nov. 26. Full Story... Anna Maria passes resolution to implement stormwater fee By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Faced with a rapidly approaching deadline, Anna Maria city commissioners at their Dec. 6 meeting unanimously adopted a resolution authorizing Manatee County Tax Collector Ken Burton to collect a stormwater utility fee for the city. Full Story... Anna Maria fire damage blamed on code violations By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Owners of the Anna Maria duplex where an accidental fire broke out Nov. 16 have been charged by the city with a number of code violations that contributed to the fire and the resulting $30,000 damage to the home. Full Story... Island cities' frozen SBA accounts begin to melt By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter While no Island city is in dire straights and looking for a handout, officials from all three cities would like to know the future of the money each has on deposit with the Florida State Board of Administration. Full Story... Putt-putt scores approval on Bridge Street By Paul Roat Miniature golf is coming to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. Full Story... Grant awarded for Bradenton Beach scenic highway Federal funds have been awarded to Bradenton Beach through the Florida Department of Transportation to update the city’s scenic highway corridor management plan. Full Story... Boaters: One-day bridge closing possible next week By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Florida Department of Transportation expects to close the drawbridge portion of the Anna Maria Island Bridge to boat traffic one day next week if it gets approval from the U.S. Coast Guard. Full Story... Ribbon-cutting for new Cortez museum Manatee County Clerk of Court "Chips" Shore, right, cut the ribbon at the Florida Maritime Museum in Cortez Friday night. Shore shepherded the restoration of the structure through myriad grants, gifts and county funding to the tune of more than $750,000. More than 200 people attended the Friday night event and toured the facility during the invitation-only event, which formally opened to the public Saturday. The museum is located in the former 1912 schoolhouse on 119th Street. Exhibits include photographs of Cortez in its early days, boats, displays and books of a marine nature. Islander Photo: Paul Roat Robber grabs purse at Maritime Museum opening By Mike Quinn. NewsManatee.com publisher An elderly woman on the steps of the newly renovated 1912 Cortez schoolhouse in Cortez had her purse snatched from her by a brazen robber who sped away in a late-model sports car. Full Story... Islander attorney seeks fees in records suit By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The attorney for The Islander last week filed a motion for the city of Bradenton Beach to pay the newspaper’s legal fees and court costs. Full Story...