Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2007 The University of Florida Gator football fanatics celebrate the team's Jan. 7 BCS championship victory 41-14 over Ohio State in Gainesville with Islander photographer Jack Elka and son Stephen Yencho (inset) among the crowd. Yencho, 22, grew up on Anna Maria Island and is finishing up at Sante Fe Community Collage in Gainesville and will go on to UF this spring. Islander Photos: Jack Elka Anna Maria city hall moving again By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter While most newly elected officials get a bit of a honeymoon before a crisis strikes, it would be hard to say that to Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford. In fact, it looks like she doesn’t get a honeymoon after her November election, just another crisis. Full Story... Lots of projects ahead for Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter More than $4 million in capital improvement projects are slated to commence and be completed within the city in the next 12 months, a record unsurpassed since the first beach renourishment project in the city in 1992-93. Full Story... Police officer honored for heroism Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger and Holmes Beach City Commissioner Sandy Haas-Martens honor Holmes Beach Police Officer Michael Leonard for bravery and heroism. After a high-speed pursuit on Christmas night, Leonard arrested a man later charged with robbing the CVS Pharmacy in Holmes Beach. Before presenting a plaque to Leonard at a city commission meeting Jan. 9, Bohnenberger said the city was "visited by a bad guy with a gun" on Dec. 25 and Leonard "got there just in time." Several law enforcement agencies were involved in the arrest, including Bradenton Beach Police Department and the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The man Leonard arrested, John Francis Butler, 45, of Bradenton, faces multiple charges in connection with the CVS holdup. He was also charged in a Sarasota bank robbery. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Developers not yet 'out of time' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Bankrupt GSR Development LLC is apparently out of time to file its disclosure statement and reorganization plan with the federal bankruptcy court in Tampa. Full Story... Holmes Beach addresses sand pile concerns By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city officials designed a plan to satisfy residents who want to see sand on Island beaches not piled high on a city lot. Full Story... Insurance: Legislators want to slash rates, expand wind pool By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter It looks like Tallahassee has gotten the message that something drastic needs to be done to deal with the state's insurance crisis. Full Story... Start of new bridge opening times still not clear By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Exactly when the U.S. Coast Guard intends to change the drawbridge schedule at both the Cortez Bridge and the Anna Maria Island Bridge remains unclear. Full Story... Top Notch: First weekly winner also 2006 grand prize winner The grand prize winner from among six weekly award-winning photos in the 2006 "Top Notch" Islander photo contest is 'Hermit' by Kim Klement of Bradenton. Her shot was the first winner on June 28 and was taken at Andros Island in the Bahamas in May. She can claim her grand prize, including $100 from The Islander, a dining certificate from Ooh La La! Bistro, a bottle of champagne from Anna Maria Island Liquor and Wine, dinner for two at a Chiles Group Restaurant and framing of the winning photo by Decor and More. Congratulations to all the winners - and be watching next week for our featured runnersup.