Top Stories this week: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 Holmes Beach resident Rebecca Brodeur embraces her dog, Moka, after West Manatee Fire Rescue firefighter Greg Wigeri Van Edema freed the dachshund from a storm drain March 19. Islander Photo: Lisa Neff Rescue team frees dog from drain pipe By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Moka the Dachshund found herself in a tight spot Monday morning, trapped in a drainage pipe under 69th Street in Holmes Beach. Full Story... Anna Maria city hall return deadline: June 8 By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners in a special meeting March 16 learned that the temporary city hall at Crosspointe Fellowship church will need to return to its permanent home on Gulf Drive by June 8. Mayor Fran Barford indicated the church needs its annex hall back in time for vacation bible school this summer. Full Story... Former mayor finds North Carolina 'not so safe' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Former Anna Maria Mayor Gary Deffenbaugh always thought the hills of western North Carolina would be a great place for a summer home, far away from the hurricanes that always seem to threaten Florida from June to November. Full Story... Anna Maria commercial height: still 27 feet The story in the March 14 issue of The Islander regarding the Anna Maria planning and zoning board’s recommendations on the comprehensive plan and future land-use map contained an error regarding the board’s recommendation for the height of commercial construction. Full Story... Baptist church marks 20 years, name change By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The Baptist church on the Island showcased the old and the new during services March 18. Full Story... CART joining statewide alliance for tax reform By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The grassroots Citizens Against Runaway Taxation formed in 2004 in Holmes Beach by Island residents and business owners dissatisfied with high property tax increases every year is merging with other tax protest organizations statewide to form a group to be known as the Florida Taxpayers Alliance. Full Story... Cortezians gather on trailer park fate Thursday Cortez Trailer Park residents are expected to gather at the Florida Institute of Saltwater Heritage meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 22, to discuss the sale of the property, at 12507 Cortez Road. Full Story... Holmes Beach land code gets first OK By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city commissioners on March 13 sent to a second reading an ordinance amending the city's land development code. Full Story... Insurance: Refunds from Citizens trickling down to Islanders By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter Some of the long-awaited insurance rate refunds are beginning to trickle down to Anna Maria Island. Full Story... Luck o' the Irish, McDowell honored The Irishman of the year was crowned on St. Patrick's Day by former Holmes Beach Commissioner Don Maloney at the breakfast he hosts annually at the Moose Lodge in Bradenton Beach to honor the day and the "Irish in all of us." Pictured here are, left to right, Maloney, former Irishman of the year Bob Piccolo, this year's honoree Sam McDowell, and former honorees John Corbett, Chuck Lester, Pat Geyer and Liz Christie-Cline and Sue Luzier, representing the Anna Maria Island Privateers. Not pictured, former Irish person of the year and photographer, Bonner Joy. Full Story... Fire district seeks waterfront addresses By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Firefighters with the West Manatee Fire Rescue District are looking for waterfront addresses. 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.