Top Stories this week: Wednesday, March. 1, 2006 Gas leak, cleanup, traffic woes West Manatee Fire & Rescue responded to the Citgo gas station Saturday morning on East Bay Drive at Gulf Drive in Holmes Beach due to a malfunction at the pumps that apparently spewed gasoline on the drive-up area. The cleanup operation took some time and traffic was rerouted, causing a backup of vehicles for most of the morning. Islander Photos: Bonner Joy Insert: Meanwhile, back at the station Chris Sheperd, president of the West Manatee Firefighters Association and a district lieutenant, flipped flapjacks for a morning pancake-and-sausage fundraiser at the West Manatee Fire & Rescue Station No. 1 in Holmes Beach, while firefighters responded to the Citgo station gas leak. 'Gentleman' gunman strikes in Bradenton Beach As polite as a man with a gun can possibly be, two couples out for an evening stroll reported an encounter with a "gentle-speaking" gunman who took their money and stealthly disappeared on foot. Full Story... Anna Maria 'good old days' return - almost By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter In a scene reminiscent of the "good old days" in Anna Maria, when city commission meetings often degenerated into name-calling and spitting contests, not to mention past-midnight marathon sessions, Mayor SueLynn and city commissioners got into a spat at the commission's Feb. 23 meeting over the separation of legislative (commission) and administrative (mayor) duties. Full Story... Pipes won't be moved after all By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Manatee County Ecosystems Manager Charlie Hunsicker has asked the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers not to remove and store the pipes currently on Anna Maria Island used for beach renourishment because of several factors, not the least of which is that contractor Goodloe Marine would have to put back the pipes in a mere three weeks. Full Story... Two Island cities progressing on consolidation By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie and Holmes Beach Mayor Carol Whitmore are moving ahead with gathering information on consolidation of the two cities. Full Story... And the survey says: More surveys needed By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Some disputed pilings installed along the waterway between 56th Street and Sunrise Lane in Holmes Beach may or may not be interfering with navigation and may or may not be within the city limits. Full Story... Board says cleanup eyesore home By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Owners of an Anna Maria home that has been a visual eyesore for a number of years were given until March 29 by the code enforcement board to clean up the property or face a fine of up to $250 a day for continued code violations. Full Story... Island reality: Teen drug use By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter It's not something the Island likes to brag about, and you won't find it mentioned in any tourism brochure. Full Story...