Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Aug. 3, 2005 Dredging progress The Island beach renourishment project had made its way from 80th Street south to the 6900-7100 block of Gulf Drive at the Nautilus and Tiffany Place condominiums and Bali Hai resort at presstime. Work crews from Goodloe Marine last week continued pumping sand for the beach renourishment project, despite a sudden outbreak of red tide in the Gulf of Mexico that brought dead fish and an accompanying odor to Island shores. Islander Photo: Jack Elka Click image to enlarge Georgia up to speed on consolidation study costs By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter While the Florida Institute of Government has little information on the cost of a feasibility study to consolidate the three Island cities, its counterpart in Georgia has considerable experience in that area, having done a number of studies on consolidation recently. And the cost of such a study is surprisingly low. Full Story... Consolidation talks stall in Anna Maria Islanders know full well that Anna Maria likes to be different. Full Story... Chappie 'holds' on consolidation Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie put the consolidation issue on the back burner last week. Full Story... Holmes Beach supports consolidation language Holmes Beach city commissioners discussed language for a non-binding referendum to pursue consolidating the three Island cities. Full Story... Renourishment continues despite Red Tide smell Workers from Goodloe Marine handling the beach renourishment effort along the beach donned masks and goggles last Friday to deal with a sudden outbreak of red tide. Full Story... Round peg won't go into square Anna Maria budget hole By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners trying to balance the proposed 2005-06 budget at their July 26 workshop might have felt like they were trying to put the proverbial round peg in a square hole. Full Story... DOT tells Cortez third lane coming soon By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The left-turn in Cortez Road "will be built, no doubt of that, and a lot of people won't like it but we'll get used to it." Full Story... Commission rejects moratorium on rental licensing By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city commissioners rejected a recommendation from its planning commission for a moratorium on short-term rental licensing at its July 26 workshop. Full Story... Top Notch Weekly Contest Winner TOP NOTCH: 'Snack' sixth weekly winner This wild green parrot photo was captured on a visit by Vic Baker of Zionsville, Ind., near the Anna Maria Island Club. He will receive a "More Than a Mullet Wrapper" Islander T-shirt, a bottle of wine from Anna Maria Island Liquor & Wine and a lunch certificate from Minnie's Beach Cafe. The photo will go into a pool with other weekly winners eligible for the contest grand-prize package, including $100 from The Islander, a $50 gift certificate from Mister Robert's Resortwear, a premium bottle of champagne from Time Saver, dinner for two at either the Sandbar, BeachHouse or MarVista, and framing of their winning entry from Decor Gallery and Framing. Full Story...