Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2006 Trash team cleans up shoreline A group of students from King Middle School search for trash in the water near the Kingfish Boat Ramp during the International Coastal Cleanup on Oct. 7. As they walk, chaperone Carol Schmidt, of Bradenton, talks with the children about marine life and ecology.Volunteers of all ages turned out for the 21st annual event, held throughout Manatee County and around the world. On the Island, volunteers waded into shallows and scoured beaches, woods and roadsides for trash. They found a variety of garbage - syringes and cigarette butts, tires and wood paneling, even a series of fetal sonogram photos. Keep Manatee Beautiful organized the local cleanup campaign. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Community supports its resource: Officer Lannon Holmes Beach Police Officer Pete Lannon has been a fixture at Anna Maria Elementary School for the past seven years where he has taught students much more than just Drug Awareness Resistance Education. Full Story... Commission agrees: less ROR on Gulf Drive in future By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter It may have taken Anna Maria just under four years to prepare its new comprehensive plan, but it's now ready for public scrutiny - and an official vote. Full Story... Island candidate forums Oct. 23 The Islander newspaper and the League of Women Voters are pleased to welcome candidates and the public in Anna Maria, Holmes Beach and District 6 of the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners to two candidate forums on Monday, Oct. 23. Full Story... Wind insurance, taxes hurting Island, Florida real estate By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter While the Anna Maria Island real estate market has always been different than the mainland, it's no secret that the Island market has been a bit sluggish. Full Story... Poindexter resigns as Bradenton Beach department head By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Dottie Poindexter has resigned her post as Bradenton Beach project-program manager, citing work stress in the position due to long hours. Her resignation was approved "with reluctance" by the city commission, and her last day was Oct. 5. Full Story... Special master meets muster in Bradenton Beach Code enforcement in Bradenton Beach will indeed take a more professional, if less personal, approach. Full Story... Two nailed in Cortez crack raids By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Two men have been arrested at two suspected "crack houses" in Cortez and charged with possession of drugs and/or paraphernalia by deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Full Story... Cortez to eye law problems Thursday By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Delighted with drug arrests a week ago, Cortez will have a communitywide forum with law officials Thursday evening to see what both sides can do to ease enforcement problems. Full Story... Landmark funeral home for sale The Holmes Beach location for Griffith-Cline Funeral Homes has been on Anna Maria Island at 6000 Marina Drive for the past 40 years. Full Story... GSR compromise motion hearing Oct. 24 By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A motion by GSR Development LLC to "compromise controversy" with Bon Eau Enterprises LLC will be heard in federal bankruptcy court at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. Full Story... GSR asks for Villa Rosa 'yard sale' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter GSR Development is proposing to sell its Villa Rosa properties and lots in Anna Maria to the highest bidder in what could be a desperate attempt to raise quick cash for the financially troubled company. Full Story... Insurance: Baptists lose wind coverage By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter The Island Baptist Church, which thought it had insurance against hurricane winds through the state's Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, has lost its policy and faces the prospect of spending thousands of dollars for new coverage, if coverage is available. Full Story... Kingfish armed robbery belongs to MCSO Just a few weeks after the Holmes Beach Police Department said it no longer has jurisdiction over Kingfish Boat Ramp and the lands just east of Westbay Cove condominiums along Manatee Avenue, three men pulled off an armed robbery at the boat ramp Oct. 2, making off with an undisclosed amount of cash and property. Full Story... Banner year for sea turtles on Island By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter With new sand and a lull in hurricanes, Anna Maria Island has enjoyed a "very fine year" for marine turtles, said Suzi Fox in totting up the figures for the 2006 nesting season just ending. 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.