Top Stories this week: Wednesday, June 14, 2006 Look y'all! It's a turtle nesting in broad daylight! It's not too often that loggerhead turtles nest during the day or that we get to observe the event. This sea turtle came ashore Sunday morning at Coquina Beach, oblivious to onlookers, laid her nest of about 100 eggs, covered it with sand and returned to the high surf from tropical storm Alberto. Islander Photos: Jo Ann Meilner Lee Zerkel, above, a Turtle Watch volunteer, and other curious beachgoers watch with concern as the mother turtle heads back to the water following her nesting activity. Mother turtles may nest more than once a year, and frequently return to the same area of beach year after year to nest. Beach bash a bust in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter A vigorous, high-profile law enforcement presence chilled an event at Coquina Beach last Friday that at one time was expected to draw upwards of 1,000 people. Full Story... Islander charged with Palma Sola man's murder By Mike Quinn Special to The Islander In late October of 2005, Frank Reposh, 42, went missing. Friends were worried about his absence. Since Reposh had recently won a $100,000 insurance settlement and had not claimed it, his attorney, Ralph Mattice, filed a "suspicious circumstances" report. Full Story... Beach renourishment confusion By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A number of Island beachfront residents are confused about when the beach in front of their property will be renourished, a confusion not helped by the abrupt departure last month of Goodloe Marine from the uncompleted emergency beach renourishment project overseen by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Full Story... Surprise! Anna Maria changes stance on consolidation By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter After rejecting a measure that would have placed Island consolidation on last November's ballot, the Anna Maria City Commission did somewhat of an about-face at its June 8 meeting, deciding to ask the other Island cities if they want to spend money to hire a professional firm to prepare a study on consolidating some services among the three cities. Full Story... Indecent exposure arrest in Anna Maria Charles J. Wall Jr., 40, of the 6800 block of Stone River Road in Bradenton, was arrested May 28 in Anna Maria and charged with indecent exposure. Full Story... Anna Maria man charged with sex crime Anna Maria resident George A. Pyke, 57, of the 700 block of North Shore Drive, was arrested Monday, June 5, by Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and charged with a sex crime against a juvenile boy. Full Story... Pierce announces candidacy in Bradenton Beach Longtime Bradenton Beach resident Michael Pierce has announced his candidacy for the city commission Ward 2 seat currently held by Lisa Maria Phillips. She has said she will not seek re-election. Full Story... Blood drive: 270 donors, $22,500 for Island charities A total of 270 donors volunteered their blood at three locations in the Islandwide blood drive over the weekend, bringing $22,500 to four Island organizations from an anonymous benefactor. Full Story... North Cortez project aiding south By Jim Hanson Islander Reporter Adversaries a few months ago, residents of Cortez village and those north of Cortez Road apparently have buried the hatchet with a project that’s helpful to everyone. Full Story... GSR principals sued by former pal, while Horizon, Freedom banks join legal fray By Rick Catlin Islander Reporter Add Horizon Bank, Freedom Bank and well known Island businessman and hotelier Kent Davis to the growing listing of Islanders, banks and investors who have filed a lawsuit against GSR Development LLC and/or its principals, Robert Byrne and Steve Noriega. Full Story... Von Hahmann calls for Coquina Beach discussions By Rick Catlin Islander Reporter Manatee County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann, whose district includes Bradenton Beach and Coquina Beach, has called for an in-depth discussion of Coquina Beach following reports of a planned beach party at Coquina last Friday that would have involved hundreds of area youths. Full Story... Planning commission considers comprehensive plan changes The Holmes Beach Planning Commission met with Bill Brisson of Brisson Planning Solutions to review proposed amendments to the city’s comprehensive plan. Full Story...