Top Stories this week: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Shared sand Beachgoers share the sand with black skimmers in Bradenton Beach one morning last week. Walkers with Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch reported nesting skimmers and least terns on the beach by 26th Street North in the southern Island city. The birds have for years been monitored on the beach in Anna Maria, but not Bradenton Beach. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff No decision, plenty of talk, at Fiske hearing by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Shortly after Anna Maria’s code enforcement board began its May 5 meeting to hear allegations of code violations against Evelyn and Jack Fiske of the 800 block of South Bay Boulevard, their attorney suggested they had not had sufficient time to prepare a defense because he had just learned about the hearing. Full Story... Pine Avenue preservation gets first-step approval by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The first step in the future of what Anna Maria resident Mike Coleman and businessman Ed Chiles believe will preserve the historic "Old Florida" ambiance of Pine Avenue took place May 6 when the Anna Maria planning and zoning board unanimously approved a site plan for their project at 315 and 317 Pine Ave. Full Story... Anna Maria moves 'swiftly' on drainage permit by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city officials along with city engineer Tom Wilcox met May 6 with Southwest Florida Water Management District staff and, following the meeting, the city agreed to submit a new design for Phase I of its stormwater drainage project. Full Story... Anna Maria's city engineer criticizes contractor by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter When the Southwest Florida Water Management District failed to issue Anna Maria an environmental resource permit by the planned April start date of Phase I of the city’s stormwater drainage project, contractor Adkins Contracting Inc. of Ruskin opted out of the deal. Full Story... One planned AMI bridge closure sunk by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A planned one-night closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge to vehicular traffic by contractor Quinn Construction Co. of Palmetto failed to take place as scheduled the night of May 5-6 because the necessary materials were not available. Full Story... Grant clears way for boating plan by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach city commissioners recently signed off on a sweeping effort to develop a recreational boating plan. Full Story... Committee wants meters on Bridge Street by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A Bradenton Beach committee wants the city to plant meters on Bridge Street and at a nearby public lot to promote turnover in parking spaces. Full Story... Planning board OKs sign ordinance by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Bradenton Beach Planning and Zoning Board sandwiched in a last-minute change in a revised sign ordinance before sending the proposed measure to city commissioners last week. Full Story... Home invasion suspects face 30-year sentence The two suspects arrested May 3 in the April 17 home invasion and robbery in Anna Maria involving former Anna Maria City Commissioner Linda Cramer have both been charged with home invasion and robbery, a first-degree felony. Full Story... Grassy Point may need new study by Lisa Neff and Paul Roat Exotic tree and plant removal at the 34-acre Grassy Point property in Holmes Beach began last week, with a completion date on the $91,000 project expected to be late June. Full Story... Commissioners post objections to causeway posts by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Manatee County commissioners voted unanimously last week to work with Bradenton, the Florida Department of Transportation and a scenic highway group to remove some newly planted bollards along the Palma Sola Causeway. Full Story... Privateers plan Kids Day by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Anna Maria Island Privateers will navigate the Skullywag pirate float to Coquina Beach Bayside in Bradeton Beach on Saturday, May 17. Full Story...