Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006 The panelists at the Oct. 12 community forum on drugs and crime in Cortez include Judge Janette Dunnigan, Manatee County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann, Manatee County Sheriff Charlie Wells and prosecutor Ed Brodsky, of the 12th Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office. The event took place at the renovated 1912 schoolhouse. Cortezians get advice dealing with drug crimes By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter More than 170 people gathered Oct. 12 in Cortez's newly renovated 1912-schoolhouse got an education in the justice system and instruction in taking back their community from criminals. Full Story... GSR compromise motion hearing Oct. 24 By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A motion by GSR Development LLC to "compromise controversy" with Bon Eau Enterprises LLC will be heard in federal bankruptcy court at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. Full Story... GSR auction sale stalled By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria to GSR: No sale. While financially strapped GSR Development LLC partners Robert Byrne and Steve Noriega might have thought that a proposed auction sale of each of GSR's 17 lots at its Villa Rosa property in Anna Maria would bring a desperately needed infusion of cash to the beleaguered company, Anna Maria City Attorney Jim Dye dashed those hopes last week with a dose of reality. Villa Rosa is still one big piece of property, not individual lots, he said. Full Story... Insurance: New state wind program little help By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter The wind insurance program that the state hastily established this summer has offered only minimal help so far to the dozens of commercial property owners on Anna Maria Island — and in other high-risk areas in Florida — who are struggling to find available and affordable wind coverage. Full Story... Insurance: Will community center find wind insurance? By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter The new $4.1 million Anna Maria Island Community Center building complex now under construction has adequate wind insurance coverage - at least for the moment. Full Story... Dining out 'for Pete's sake' Members of the Island community have planned several events to raise funds for Holmes Beach Police Officer Pete Lannon and his family since learning the community resource officer is battling pancreatic cancer. The first event will be a pasta dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19, at St. Bernard Catholic Church. Full Story... Holmes Beach beautification board supports Kingfish 'preserve' By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter Members of the Holmes Beach Parks and Beautification Committee agreed to urge the mayor to support a proposal by Westbay Cove residents to preserve the strip of land between the Rotary welcome sign and Westbay Cove’s property on Manatee Avenue. Full Story... Red tide abating off coast? Water samples taken last week indicate that the red tide bloom off Southwest Florida is slowing. Full Story... Red tide panelists agree much known, more data needed By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Is the Florida red tide exacerbated by nutrients flowing into the Gulf of Mexico from shore? Full Story... $4.7 million earmarked for red tide research Data gaps may start to be filled on red tide thanks to a five-year-long, $4.73 million federal grant. Full Story... Tidemark moves forward, Easterling out of management By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The man who guided the Tidemark hotel/marina/condominium site plan through the Holmes Beach City Commission in 2001 - and a subsequent company bankruptcy - is no longer involved in the daily management of the project, the new owners have said. 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.