Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 4, 2007 New parking lot opens in Holmes Beach Visitors to the Manatee Public Beach last week found a new location to park their vehicles after the public parking lot at the beach quickly filled to capacity on many days. The right of way along Manatee Avenue was apparently a convenient spot for a new - if only temporary - parking lot. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Holmes Beach officer injured in shooting An off-duty Holmes Beach police officer suffered a minor fragment wound during a shooting near his home in east Manatee County. Full Story... SR64 shoulder is makeshift parking lot By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Vacationer Robert Hodges had little trouble finding a place to plant his beach chair March 29, but he first struggled to find a spot to park his Jeep Cherokee. Full Story... Not guilty plea for Acute Care owner, top staffers By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Five of the seven Acute Care staff members arrested in Anna Maria Feb. 23 and charged with Medicaid fraud have entered not guilty pleas. Full Story... Neighbors reject plan for public park By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter An effort by Anna Maria City Commissioner Jo Ann Mattick to purchase the undeveloped 1.5 acres owned by Harry and Karen Lockwood at 703 N. Shore Drive through a Florida Communities Trust grant and turn the property into a public park has apparently fallen flat after some of the Lockwood's neighbors vilified the couple for even considering such a sale. Full Story... Bradenton man critically injured Bayflite Air Medical Transport pays yet another visit Sunday afternoon to the field adjacent to Holmes Beach City Hall to carry a patient to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Holmes Beach police, West Manatee Fire Rescue and Emergency Medical Services responded to the call for help in the 500 block of Bayview Drive. There emergency workers found a 58-year-old man, who had fallen on his back while trimming trees from a ladder at least 12 feet high, said WMFR Capt. Tom Sousa. A WMFR incident report said the man was conscious, but with limited vision. He was stabilized by medics, who then transferred care from their ambulance to the helicopter medics, who quickly took the patient to BMC's trauma unit. The man's condition was not known at press time. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Building official nominees line up for Bradenton Beach post By Paul Roat There are some familiar faces within the ranks of applicants for the building official position in Bradenton Beach. Full Story... Bradenton Beach pier costs spike - again By Paul Roat The latest changes to the construction project on the Historic Bridge Street Pier in Bradenton Beach were obviously a bit more tasty to city commissioners, with costs coming in a bit under the anticipated amounts. Full Story... CART meeting to update property tax proposals By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Citizens Against Runaway Taxation will meet with the general public at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, at the Holmes Beach City Hall to update Islanders on the latest tax relief proposals before the Florida Legislature. Full Story... Dog dining law to get redo By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Manatee County commissioners are going to vote again on the ordinance allowing "doggie dining" at certain eateries. Full Story... Easter services, events on Islands Plans are complete for the 43rd annual Easter sunrise service hosted by the Anna Maria Island Kiwanis Club at Manatee Public Beach in Holmes Beach. Full Story... GSR seeks auction sale - again By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Following a failed effort to market its Island properties through a local real estate company, bankrupt GSR Development LLC is now seeking court approval to sell its extensive real estate holdings through public auctions. The company had previously proposed such a sale through the international auction firm of GoIndustry Michael Fox, but withdrew the proposal on March 2 in hopes the real estate marketing effort would produce sales. Full Story... Insurance: Will law revisions help or hurt policyholders? By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter Look for state lawmakers to correct before the current legislative session ends in May what they say are mistakes or inconsistencies in the new state insurance law. The question is whether the changes they make are going to help or hurt policyholders. Full Story... County clears pepper trees at Holmes Beach gateway By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Look for state lawmakers to correct before the current legislative session ends in May what they say are mistakes or inconsistencies in the new state insurance law. The question is whether the changes they make are going to help or hurt policyholders. 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.