Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2006 Spiderman meets Superman! Spiderman (Dr. Roger Danziger) has been a regular at Anna Maria Fall Festivals and parades, but new this year was the unveiling of Holmes Beach Police Officer Pete Lannon’s alter-ego! Lannon’s battle against cancer has brought him to be known as “Super Pete,” and his attitude is super, too. He led the parade of classrooms of costumed kids to the school grounds, where the festival commenced. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy This little doggie takes the prize! Frank Almeda, left, shares a winning moment with finace Nilda Llanes and her "Frannie," a 4-month-old Chihuahua-Daschund mix whose costume, complete with fluttering eyelashes, red lips, bangles and a handbag, was judged first place among about 20 canines at The Islander Dog Costume Contest and Pet Parade Saturday. Llanes and Frannie and the runners up received "Halloween" baskets with goodies, and donations from Island Animal Clinic. All the participants received treats. The event was organized by Olivia Willis of the local office of Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Islander Photo: Bonner Joy Chief Anna Maria election issues: comp plan, spending By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Candidates for the two vacant Anna Maria City Commission seats and the post of mayor discussed their positions on a number of issues at the Oct. 23 Islander candidate forum and generally agreed that adoption of the comprehensive plan and future land-use map after the Nov. 7 election and spending are the main issues facing the city. Full Story... Office-seekers court Holmes Beach voters at forum By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Five candidates for Holmes Beach City Commission echoed a common theme at The Islander election forum Oct. 23 - growth is inevitable, so it must be tempered to fit the Island's character. Full Story... Meaker, Whitmore face off on issues Candidates for the District 6 at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission faced each other at an Islander candidates forum last week. Full Story... Amendment questions on Nov. 7 ballot answered By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter There are more decisions to make on the Nov. 7 ballot than just choosing candidates - Florida voters have six amendments to the state Constitution to mull. Full Story... New Anna Maria Web site The City of Anna Maria recently introduced a new Web site for city news and events. Full Story... Three bidders vie to build pier restaurant Three contractors have offered bids to build the new restaurant-dockmaster office-bathhouse-dockage facilities at the City of Bradenton Beach Historic Bridge Street Pier. Full Story... Dredge work under way in Cortez channel By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Dredge work is under way to clear out the Cortez fishing channel, the Florida Institute for Saltwater Heritage reported last week. Full Story... Insurance: Holmes Beach taxpayers hardest hit By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter Here is yet another insurance horror story on Anna Maria Island - this one for taxpayers in Holmes Beach. Full Story... Witnesses lead Bradenton Beach Police to arrest An arrest has finally been made in the grand theft of a custom-crafted steel gate resembling an octopus owned by Fred Bartizal that had been installed at 100 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach. The theft occurred April 28, and without the proper affidavits from witnesses, the investigation quickly stalled. 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.