Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 Tree trimming AME second-graders Hunter Storey, Ceira Thomas and Jules Henig cut and decorate holiday trees crafted of construction paper and garnished with glitter, beads and ribbons during a holiday craft session in Karen Granstad's classroom. Normand continues recovery, store opens By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter “Taking care of business” proved the motto in the aftershock of the Dec. 5 shootings on Anna Maria Island. Full Story... How to help Friends and family of Sue Normand have launched a Web site, www.supportsue.com, to provide updates on the Islander’s recovery and to receive assistance. Full Story... Anna Maria to withdraw more than $500,000 from troubled SBA fund By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners last week unanimously agreed to withdraw more than $500,000 in city funds invested in a beleaguered state fund. Full Story... Bradenton Beach man dies in Virginia plane crash Hugh Bryant, 43, of Bradenton Beach, died Dec. 9 in a single-engine plane crash in Virginia. Full Story... Bradenton Beach officer now with FBI Chuck Sloan has traded the sand of Bradenton Beach for the snow of Quantico, Va., and the slow pace of police work on Anna Maria Island to the frenzy that is the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Full Story... Advisory board merger approved by one group By Paul Roat Let’s all come together and sing “Kumbaya.” Full Story... Chief: 'Somebody saw her' By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach police continued last week to pursue leads in the slaying of Carla Ann Beard, 29. Full Story... Bridge closure to pass quietly The Florida Department of Transportation was scheduled to close the Anna Maria Island Bridge to boat traffic between 10 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 18, and 6 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19. Full Story... CART to host property tax proposal meeting By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Islanders, mainlanders and anyone interested in the property tax situation in Florida are invited to a public meeting Wednesday, Dec. 19, to hear Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio present his plan for a maximum annual property tax increase of 1.35 percent. Full Story... Attorney asks GSR judge to cancel trial By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Islanders and mainlanders who have lost money investing in the failed GSR Development LLC were hoping for their day in federal bankruptcy court Jan. 10. That’s the day that adversarial proceedings against GSR principals Robert Byrne and Steve Noriega and others involved in the failed company were slated to start. Full Story... HBPD names new community policing officer By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Officer Brian Copeman dared to step up for the job he wanted. Full Story... Insurance: Zoning decision could cost Perico Bay Club $300,000 By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter Here’s a Christmas letter to the nearly 700 members of the Perico Bay Club condominium complex Island on the south side of Manatee Avenue. Full Story... Center grant deadline Dec. 31 The world is counting down the days to the end of the year and the start of 2008: Thirteen if you are reading TheIslander the morning of its issue date. Full Story... Palma Sola gets sand, awaits plants By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Sand - tons of it - was deposited along the Palma Sola Causeway last week to renourish the bay beaches. Full Story... Emergency signs still in 'test' mode By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Four electronic message signs installed for Anna Maria Island will remain in “test” mode until two other signs are replaced. Full Story...