Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007 Firefighters ready to enter a ground-level condominium unit at Westbay Point & Moorings Feb. 15. A fire that apparently started in the bedroom caused about $50,000 in damages. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff Fire damages Westbay Point condominium By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Fire and smoke caused about $50,000 in damages to a condominium at Westbay Point & Moorings in Holmes Beach Feb. 15. Full Story... Holmes Beach woman absconds with son, arrested A Holmes Beach woman who did not have custody or permission to be with any of her three children removed her 7-year-old son from her mother's home in east Bradenton and then disappeared. Full Story... Calling all artists, art lovers: Note March 23 The Islander newspaper is looking for a few good artists. There are only two criteria for the job at hand: They must be gifted and generous. Full Story... Police car replacement OK'd Replacement of a police car totaled in the pursuit and subsequent arrest of a man accused of armed robbery on Christmas day has been approved by Bradenton Beach city commissioners. Full Story... Bennett to hold meeting on taxes By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Islanders stung by the recent surge of hefty increases in their property taxes will want to mark Tuesday, Feb. 27, on their calendar. Full Story... Cortez fishing festival celebrates 25 years By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter "Let's rock and reel,"shouted Mary Stein, 49, as she hoisted a cup of beer and danced before the stage at the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival Feb. 17. Full Story... GSR creditors on the attack By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Not content with reading financial reports from GSR Development's own accounting firm and restructuring officer on where the money and equity in the now-bankrupt company is, the "Official Committee of General Unsecured Creditors" in the GSR bankruptcy case has hired its own forensic accountant to explore the company's finances and prospects for reorganization. Full Story... Backup in a box Hurricane season begins in 100 days. Are you prepared? Holmes Beach will enter the season with some assurance that "stop and go" traffic signals will work if there's a power outage. In recent months, green boxes - fashioned to resemble Florida homes with hurricane-proof roofs - have been installed at signal stops such as the one at Marina and Gulf drives. The boxes contain backup electricity for the signals, said Holmes Beach Mayor Rich Bohnenberger. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Kennel brought into compliance By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A Holmes Beach property owner met the Feb. 14 deadline the city code enforcement board imposed for the elimination of nuisances. Full Story... HBPD recruits for missing child program By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter If a child goes missing in Holmes Beach, 10 local volunteers with the police department are ready to go looking. Full Story... Family, friends remember Nunn By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Yellow legal pads were set on the table for friends, family and co-workers to sign and leave remembrances of Edward F. "Skip" Nunn Jr. Full Story... Holmes Beach looks to add 'linear parks' By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter They follow a winding path. Toting groceries, lugging beach chairs or swinging their arms to the tune playing in their headphones, walkers take to the short, meandering sidewalk behind the AmSouth/Regents Bank in Holmes Beach. Full Story... Insurance industry reacts, Auto-Owners halts new business By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter A new firestorm has erupted in the war between the insurance industry and state leadership. Full Story... Public recycling out there, but 'stealthy' By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter What's a wannabe visiting recycler to do on Anna Maria Island? Full Story... Input sought for 2007-08 school start date The next school year is to begin Aug. 20 and end June 5 as proposed by Manatee County School District officials. The calendar reflects a new Florida law that states the earliest schools may start the school year is 14 days before Labor Day. 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.