Top Stories this week: Wednesday, June 7, 2006 Island churches forgotten in insurance debacle By Billy Malfese. Islander Reporter With all the recent focus of the wind insurance debate being on residential homes, a new problem has arisen for the churches on the Island. Churches are not classified as habitable establishments and are not included in the state-run insurance pool regardless of whether the property is within 1,000 feet of the Gulf or not. Full Story... Turner tosses hat in ring Tom Turner, longtime property owner and resident of Anna Maria, has tossed his hat in the ring early to run for the mayor's seat in the upcoming November city election. Full Story... Boatel project dropped in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter A proposed "hotel for boaters" at the Bradenton Beach Marina has been dropped. Full Story... Crash sends three to hospitals An early evening vehicle crash in Bradenton Beach Saturday hospitalized three people. Full Story... Handley code violation matter referred to city commission By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter Call it the never-ending story .... The Bradenton Beach Code Enforcement Board has deferred a decision of fines to the city commission on property owned by Patrick Handley at 2417 Gulf Drive. City code enforcement board officers found the property to be in violation of a number of city codes regarding landscaping and general upkeep of the property, findings borne out by the city's code enforcement board. Full Story... City to Rosa Del Mar: Move the dirt By Paul Roat. Islander Reporter A city's "desires" have become reality for one developer in Bradenton Beach. Full Story... Post-Memorial Day trash pre-July 4 headache? By Billy Malfese. Islander Reporter Memorial Day weekend brought "tons of folks" to the Island's beaches, not to mention tons of trash, too. From past experience, when Monday holidays occur, the garbage that accumulates at the beach accesses in Holmes Beach tends to get out of hand, according to Holmes Beach City Commissioner Pat Morton. Full Story... Great blood drive this weekend By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The sixth annual Islandwide blood drive is just around the corner, with a new “worldwide” means of getting there being introduced. Full Story... A shower of fish hits Islander By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter "It's the first time in my 91 years I've ever had a fish shower," said Arthur Bussey after a salvo of small fish rained down on him in his Holmes Beach back yard. Full Story... Man found floating near city pier identified By Bonner Joy. Islander Reporter It can't be a good day at work when suddenly someone says there's a body floating nearby. Full Story... Bradenton man dies in boating accident Bradenton resident Joe Freidman, 28, died Memorial Day afternoon after he apparently struck his head after diving off a boat near Jewfish Key in the Longboat Pass. Full Story... Memorial Day: Madness, crowds, traffic By Billy Malfese. Islander Reporter The Island cities and beaches were crammed with countless people looking to relax over Memorial Day weekend. The Manatee Public Beach was by far the most packed, as cars were lined up to park on the grassy berms along Manatee Avenue. Full Story... Sandbar site plan objections raised By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A last-minute objection to the Sandbar Restaurant's final site plan has been raised by none other than the Sandbar's landlord. Full Story...