Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2008 Bridge-tender Bob Nappi, right, shows Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos and Florida state Rep. Bill Galvano his station on the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Top DOT official surveys AMI bridge by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos vowed to see the local vision as the state proceeds with a study for a new bridge to Anna Maria Island. Full Story... Holmes Beach man dies after motorcycle crash Mike Cagnina of Holmes Beach was in the motorcycle repair business before injuries he received in a crash while riding a motorcycle Jan. 24 in Holmes Beach resulted in his death two days later. Full Story... County calls on Anna Maria to back renourishment by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If the planned state/county/federal beach renourishment project on Anna Maria Island slated to begin in 2011-12 is anything like the 2002 project, expect plenty of sparks and verbal exchanges between government officials and Islanders who oppose the plan. Full Story... Bridge rehab project expected to begin quietly The $9.14 million, 400-day Florida Department of Transportation's rehabilitation of the Anna Maria Island bridge is expected to get off the ground Monday, Feb. 4, with little fanfare. Full Story... Anna Maria tangles Center in permit process by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter It only took two complaints in January by Anna Maria residents living near the Anna Maria Island Community Center to spark a city commission controversy over whether or not the Center needs to submit special event permits for most events at the facility. Full Story... Interesting swimming A woman apparently drove her car off the beach into the Gulf of Mexico Jan. 26 just north of the BeachHouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach. According to reports, she was asked to leave the sand and instead entered the water. The Bradenton woman, who was not identified, was hospitalized under the Baker Act and the vehicle pulled from the Gulf. Islander Photo: Courtesy Joe Tate 'Net Working,' working nets at Cortez by Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter All sorts of nets used by commercial fishermen will provide a brand new feature at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Feb. 16 and 17. Full Story... Islander announces bid for county board John R. Chappie, a resident of Bradenton Beach since 1974, has completed the necessary paperwork and announced his candidacy for Manatee County Commission District 3 seat, currently held by Jane Von Hahmann. Full Story... GSR objects to undocumented claims Bankrupt GSR Development LLC has filed a number of objections to unsecured claims with the federal bankruptcy court in Tampa, including those of Islanders Mel and Carol Yudofsky and the city of Bradenton Beach. Full Story... Byrne day in court tomorrow By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Several of the unsecured creditors of bankrupt GSR Development LLC will have what they hope is their day in court tomorrow. Full Story... Illegal dredging charged for Key Royale property by Paul Roat A local man has been charged by state environmental regulators with illegally dredging bayfront property fronting his Key Royale home. Full Story... City answers civil suit by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The city of Holmes Beach maintains that two property owners who sued over a code enforcement action against them lack grounds for their complaint. Full Story... Holmes Beach youth, two others arrested for shooting spree by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Three young men bought a pellet gun and proceeded to shoot out windows of some 50 vehicles in a spree that took them from Sports Authority to McDonald’s to the Palma Sola Causeway, before they were arrested. Full Story... Insurance: Island high-rise faces high premiums by Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter Wind insurance for the Island’s tallest condominium complex - the seven-story Martinique North - cost $9,874 for 2005. Full Story... Voter turnout expected to be high by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Islanders were to share their presidential preferences Jan. 29. Full Story... Status hearing set in shooting case by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter An early trial date of April 7 was set for Mark W. Koenigs, the man accused of shooting an Island businesswoman minutes after she opened her store. Full Story... Trolley expansion on Bridge Street OK by merchants by Paul Roat Bring that trolley down Bridge Street! Full Story...