Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2007 Costume contest winners The winners of the AME-PTO Fall Festival costume contest included everything from a whoopee cushion to bacon and eggs. Winners were selected from each class: Phillip DuDeVoie, Taylor Lovelaa, Jack Shinn, Holly Rizzo, Dalton Guthrie, Cierra Walter, Noah Fischer, Tori Coover, Jay Stuart, Annie and Tori Walter, Jerry Thiel, Brynn Manush, Nicholas Martin, Maya Sepienza, Oti Dattoli, Skylar Scylzo, William Bouchard, Miles Fischer, Emma Mouneuse, Chastin Whitfield, Jack Gleman, Kayla Thiel, George Lardas, Jordan Moore, Henrick Brusso, Madison Gunn, Sibella Glavan, Chris Gunn, Neil Carper, Franceska Akel, Keaton Hackworth and Emma Bouchard. Top right: Cardiac kids in cardiac cart lead parade New heart recipient and Anna Maria Elementary alumni Erik Stahr was the "star" of the Anna Maria Elementary Parent-Teacher Organization Fall Festival parade, riding with - also heart patients at one time or another - alumni driver Chandler Hardy, back-seat AME fifth-graders Nicky and Tori Boltwood. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Middle right:Rory Welch has a handle on the AME Fall Festival parade route, which took students from Holmes Beach City Hall along Marina and Gulf drives to the school where game, craft and food booths awaited. Bottom right:Mathew Stark patiently waits for the fun to begin at the AME-PTO Fall Festival. DOT presents bridge closure options to Islanders By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter What a difference a week makes. Just seven days ago, the Florida Department of Transportation was adamant that the planned 75-day closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge - part of its $9.1 million renovation project - would take place as planned in mid-April. Full Story... Barford: Bridge closure will 'kill my city' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If the Florida Department of Transportation follows through on its plan to close the Anna Maria Island Bridge for 75 days starting in early April as part of its bridge renovation project, it will be the death knell for Anna Maria and possibly the entire Island, said Anna Maria Mayor Fran Barford. Full Story... FDOT reviewing bridge closure By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter State transportation officials used words like “potential” and “proposed” last week in referring to the closure of the Anna Maria Island Bridge for 45-75 days in 2008. Full Story... DOT reviews bridge options with public safety officers By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter State transportation officials said last week they could probably reduce the amount of time needed to close the Anna Maria Island Bridge for renovations from 75 days to 45 days. Full Story... Acute Care colleague plea bargains sentence By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The seven women from Acute Care in Anna Maria charged in February with Medicaid fraud are now just five. Full Story... Anna Maria settles roof lawsuit Anna Maria city commissioners have voted to accept $75,000 from Roof USA as a mediated settlement in the city’s lawsuit against the company for a faulty roof installation during the summer of 2006. Full Story... Bradenton Beach mayors race: two similar candidates By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Bradenton Beach mayoral candidates Bill Shearon and Michael Pierce spent so much time at The Islander candidate forum Oct. 23 agreeing with the others position on a number of issues, it seems a shame there can’t be a “co-mayor” in the city. The office will be on one of only two ballots in Manatee County. The other open seat is for mayor of Bradenton on Nov. 6. Full Story... Rezone, property vacation requests draw crowd By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Holmes Beach City Commission wrestled last week with two issues in which there are, all agreed, no take backs - the granting of a rezoning application and the vacating of city property. Full Story... Tot land to join skate park By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach plans to create a tiny playground for tiny tots in an area near the city’s skate park. Full Story... Crews work on HB stormwater system By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Water from rainfall four days earlier pooled near the intersection of Gulf Drive and 29th Street. Full Story... Palma Sola murder trial to begin The trial of a woman accused of killing her boyfriend in his Palma Sola home two years ago was set to begin this week at the Manatee County Courthouse. Full Story... Holmes Beach burglar busted Holmes Beach police arrested a Wisconsin man for burglary after a witness said the man entered a vacant short-term rental without permission from owner John Radick. Full Story...