Top Stories this week: Wednesday, April 26, 2006 Winners The gang from the Drift In, with locations in Bradenton Beach and Bradenton, took honors in Saturday's DeSoto Heritage Festival bottle boat regatta on the Palma Sola Causeway. A few members of the crew are pictured here demonstrating why they were chosen "best overall dressed crew and best boat" for their sturdy vessel, the "Koko Nutz." Islander Photo: Paul Roat Anna Maria roof bids fall flat By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter After four companies picked up bid packets for the roofing project at the Anna Maria City Hall, Mayor SueLynn and Tom Wilcox of the city’s engineering firm of Baskerville-Donovan Inc. were expecting all four companies to return competitive bids. Full Story... Community invited to AME dedication By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter The entire Anna Maria Elementary School campus is prepared to shine for its May 1 dedication ceremony, with plans calling for guests to be ushered throughout the newly configured site. Full Story... Boatel project again deferred in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter More questions resulted in a further delay before a decision on a proposed boatel on the south side of the Bradenton Beach Marina, just south of the Cortez Bridge. Full Story... Gulffront project back again, tabled until June By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Call it déjà vu all over again, but this time on a "large" scale. Full Story... Island bird nesting area to be isolated By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Volunteers will rope off about two acres of the northern beach of Anna Maria Thursday, April 27, to protect the nests of black skimmers and least terns. Full Story... Carjacked rental car sought Law enforcement officers are seeking help in locating a vehicle that was allegedly carjacked from a Holmes Beach property owner. Full Story... Cortez school all but complete By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The old school building in Cortez is within days of being ready for use, rehabilitated from below ground to rooftop. But it’s at least a month from a grand opening. Full Story... Longboat owner won't roll over, fights high taxes By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Stung by the spiraling tax assessments for Island and Longboat Key accommodation properties, at least one owner has had enough. Full Story...