Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 11, 2007 Beach shootings send 3 to hospital, 2 to jail By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Gang violence erupted on Coquina Beach on Easter, sending three people with gunshot wounds to the hospital and two men to jail on multiple charges. Full Story... Code enforcement policy to remain reactive Anna Maria City Commission Chairman John Quam has reiterated that the city will continue to accept anonymous complaints of code violations. Full Story... Legal brouhaha erupts in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat Bradenton Beach city officials briefly considered revamping their legal structure last week. Full Story... CART meeting: Much ado but nothing definite By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The estimated 125 people who attended the public forum in Holmes Beach April 4 conducted by the Coalition Against Runaway Taxation learned there are a lot of plans floating around the Florida Legislature to solve Florida’s tax problems. Full Story... Throng lines Cortez Road to protest trailer park sale By Paul Roat About 130 people lined the south side of Cortez Road Saturday morning, waving placards proclaiming their love of their trailer park. Full Story... Folks meet by accident No serious injuries to drivers and passengers, but the Jeep and the Saturn were too damaged to drive after they crashed in front of Holmes Beach city hall on Marina Drive Saturday. The week, and the weekend, of Easter seemed to bring out the worst on the roads on Anna Maria Island, resulting in numerous crashes. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Rising with the sun: 1,000 gather for Easter service By Lisa Neff Islander Reporter With a splash of pink in the eastern sky, the music began - a prelude to the Easter sunrise service on the beach. Full Story... Arrest made in officer shooting By Lisa Neff Islander Reporter Authorities arrested one man and continued their search for three other people in connection with the shooting of an off-duty Holmes Beach police officer. Full Story... Insurance: 'Dumped at the altar' by Allstate By Molly McCartney Islander Reporter Meet Gretchen and Bud Edgren, who are among the latest victims of Allstate's decision to slash the number of its Florida residential policyholders in half. Full Story... Island veterans may get memorial - finally By Rick Catlin Islander Reporter The original proposal for an Island Veterans Memorial and flagpole at Leffis Key was derailed in 2001 when members of the Audubon Society complained that a flagpole at that location could scare wildlife and birds in the area. Society members also claimed that some birds might think the flapping of the lanyards against the pole was a bird of prey and become frightened. Full Story... Manatee beach pier reopens, beachgoers rejoice By Lisa Neff Islander Reporter People are back to mingling with the birds on the short pier at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Full Story... HB officials, family dedicate first tree in city program By Lisa Neff Islander Reporter Bill Ryskamp watched as two employees with Amerson Nurseries planted the southern magnolia he dedicated in his sister's memory on April 6. Full Story... The spaceship has departed Looking somewhat like the crater left by a blast from a rocket, this large hole was discovered on the beach by Jacob Talucci, 8, of Holmes Beach, Saturday. Aunt Amelia, Uncle Nate and cousin Evan, watched Jacob explore the pit. They notified the Holmes Beach police of their concern that someone could be injured by falling in the hole at night. No word, though, on how it got there. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Terra Ceia Aquatic Preserve public hearing April 30 The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has scheduled a public meeting April 30 on management plans for Terra Ceia Bay. 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.