Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 16, 2008 Children aboard the Lucky Duck entry in the DeSoto Bottle Boat Regatta ready for the start of their race. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Palma Sola hosts bottle boat regatta Everyone have fun. Everyone be safe. No one drink the water. Such were the rules for the annual DeSoto Bottle Boat Regatta held April 12 on the south side of the Palma Sola Causeway. Full Story... From the air, AMI Bridge work continues Workers from Quinn Construction Co. Inc. of Palmetto were busy underneath the Anna Maria Island Bridge last week as part of the Florida Department of Transportation' $9.1 million rehab project for the bridge. Islander Photo: Jack Elka Fire consumes Holmes Beach residence early April 17 The Holmes Beach residence of Pa and Kent Davis, former owners of the Siam Garden Resort in Anna Maria, was consumed by a fire that began shortly after 2 a.m. April 17. Full Story... Dickinson seeks Galvano aid for beach renourishment by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria North Shore Drive resident Joan Dickinson has been trying to get her dwindling beach renourished since the 2002 effort. Full Story... Anna Maria City looks to redefine 'Center' by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter In an effort to allow the Anna Maria Island Community Center to continue to do what it’s been doing in the community for the past 48 years, Anna Maria city commissioners at their April 10 meeting proposed an ordinance to “legalize” the Center’s activities. Full Story... City eyes zero lot line in ROR by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The joint meeting of the Anna Maria City Commission and the city’s planning and zoning board April 10 was supposed to focus on the lone agenda item: a review of a draft ordinance that defines the terms “lot/structure” in policy 1.3.5 of the city’s already adopted comprehensive plan. Full Story... Heartfelt invite The invitation to the community for the James P. Kronus Auditorium dedication ceremony at Anna Maria Elementary School included a "loving" photo of the present student body at AME showing the school's affection for the former 25-year principal. The event, which takes place post-deadline for this week's newspaper at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 15, is open to all at the school, 4700 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach. Sarasota man arrested for attempted vehicle burglary Mike Quinn. NewsManatee.com Bradenton Beach police say a man who allegedly lives on a boat 100 feet from shore in Sarasota Bay tried to get inside two vehicles in an attempt to find a place to sleep at about 11:30 p.m. April 9. Full Story... Testing the 'green' Deborah Sniadach, owner of The Fish Hole miniature golf course in Bradenton Breach, tests hole No. 1, the Hammerhead, on April 12. The 18-hole, par-43 course on Bridge Street had a soft opening to the public April 12 and a preview for city officials and others April 11. A grand opening is planned for later this spring when details are finalized for live music, parking and other accommodations. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Case closed on Pier Cafe suit by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A settlement between the city of Bradenton Beach and the operators of the now defunct Bradenton Beach Pier Cafe closed the book on the case. Full Story... Cornerstone sells to developer The building at the corner of Gulf Drive and Holmes Boulevard in Holmes Beach that since its opening in the 1970s housed the Sterling Anvil jewelry store was sold April 8. Full Story... As the Island turns Just like a soap opera on TV, the Island turns and the stories just keep coming. Like serial actors, we play our parts by reporting to you, our readers on the latest antics of folks in the news, community events, school happenings, bridge conditions, openings, closings, sailings updates and the news of record. Full Story... Trustee pursues adversarial claims against Byrne by Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Failed Island real estate developer Richard Byrne may have moved to Chicago and allowed his company, GSR Development LLC, to disappear into the federal bankruptcy court system, but his creditors may yet have their day in court. Full Story... HB commissioners consider fine reduction by Paul Roat A Holmes Beach property partnership turned sour has racked up about $105,000 in fines and a lien for the partners - all because of an apparent failure to pay a $26 rental license fee. Full Story... Streetscape plantings planned for Holmes Beach A local landscape company has agreed to “adopt” eight traffic medians in Holmes Beach, with enhanced plantings to take place within the next 30 days. Full Story... Visitor's invasion claim unsubstantiated Holmes Beach police have investigated an incident April 1 involving a woman visiting from Michigan who said in a letter to Mayor Rich Bohnenberger that a female resident of the city “unlawfully” entered the apartment she was renting. Full Story... Newspaper seeks sanctions against city by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter A judge is reviewing The Islander newspaper’s quest for sanctions and fees in a case involving the city of Bradenton Beach. Full Story... Bollards installed along causeway by Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Perico Island resident Dottie Parsons likes the young trees planted along the Palma Sola Causeway in recent months. Full Story...