Top Stories this week: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 As Marie Franklin looks on, John Cagnina throws out the first pitch at the newly rededicated Scanio-Hutchinson Memorial Field May 3 at the Anna Maria Island Community Center. Center field: Stadium rededicated in ceremony by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Marie Franklin stretched her hand to touch the bronze-colored plaque in honor of her brother who died so young. Full Story... Two suspects arrested in Cramer home invasion The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested two men May 3 suspected of beating a former Anna Maria commissioner and robbing the home she shares with its owner. Full Story... Drainage permit delays costing Anna Maria by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter With the start of Phase 1 of Anna Maria’s planned $630,000 stormwater drainage project delayed because the city can’t get a permit from the Southwest Florida Water Management District, Adkins Contracting Inc. - the lead contractor hired by the city for the project - has quit. Full Story... Lane closure came quickly on AMI Bridge Quinn Construction Co. of Palmetto is working as quickly as it can to make repairs on the Anna Maria Island Bridge. The $9.1 million rehab project was projected to take up to a year to complete when Quinn began work in February. Full Story... Real estate booms at end of winter season by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Island real estate agents are all smiles following what many consider an extremely successful winter season for sales after several years of a down market. Full Story... City seeks grant for park by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach city commissioners hope to secure a state grant to achieve two goals - to put an end to already costly litigation and to create a new park on the Gulf of Mexico. Full Story... Cortez Trailer Park: Triumph for all by Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The victory party is history. Residents are settled into homes and land they own. The prior owner is tidying up his affairs, preparing to move along. Full Story... Historic Cortez store gets big boost from booster by Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The Marie Selby Foundation of Sarasota has again come to the rescue of historic preservation in Cortez. Full Story... Fire investigators close Holmes Beach case by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A hired investigator has concluded his review of the fire that destroyed a home on 58th Street in Holmes Beach April 17. Full Story... Arraignment date set in blown kiss case by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter An 18-year-old woman is scheduled for arraignment May 23 in connection with an alleged scuffle with a Bradenton Beach police officer on Coquina Beach. Full Story... Man acquitted in shooting of off-duty officer by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A man who spent 13 months in jail awaiting trial in connection with the off-duty shooting of a Holmes Beach police officer walked tall - and free - from the Manatee County Courthouse May 1. Full Story... Landmark restaurant to close Ham Jones, owner of the landmark Seafood Shack in Cortez made a apologetic announcement Monday. “I’m closing for good after Mother’s Day.” Full Story... Calling all WWII, Korean War veterans by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Many readers in the Islander circulation area, including many World War II and Korean War veterans, are now back north in cooler climates. Full Story... WMFR observes Arson Awareness Week by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter West Manatee Fire Rescue officials are hoping to remind Islanders of unsolved arsons and perhaps stoke a memory during National Arson Awareness Week. Full Story...