Top Stories this week: Wednesday, July 18, 2007 Sixth weekly Top Notch winner: Into the deep blue Robert L. Brown of Bradenton entered this Top Notch shot taken from a sailboat in the Gulf of Mexico while on a return trip to the Dry Tortugas. Brown is the sixth winner and final weekly winner in the six weeks of Top Notch, with prizes including front page placement for his photo and an Islander newspaper "more-than-a-mullet wrapper" T-shirt. Her entry will go into the pool of weekly winners to be eligible for the grand prize of $100 from the newspaper and a bevy of gift certificates and prizes from Islander advertisers. Anna Maria gives 'thumbs up' to preservation By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Anna Maria city commissioners and Mayor Fran Barford at the July 12 commission meeting praised a plan by private citizens Mike Coleman and Ed Chiles (see related story) to preserve as many Pine Avenue properties as possible to prevent them from becoming three-story single-family residences as happened with the property at the site of the former Island Marine. Full Story... Local businessmen want 'Old Florida' preserved By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter In what may ultimately turn out to be the biggest financial undertaking of his life - and possibly the most expensive - Anna Maria businessman Ed Chiles along with Pine Avenue resident Mike Coleman have formed an investment company to buy Pine Avenue properties and restore or develop them as two-story, retail-office-residential structures that would retain the “Old Florida” charm of the city. Full Story... Gulf Drive/Cortez Road intersection causes traffic morass It was, quite literally, traffic hell for much of July 11 in Bradenton Beach and Longboat Key. Full Story... Next phase of parking plan ongoing in Bradenton Beach By Paul Roat The next step in working on development of an increased parking program in Bradenton Beach has begun. Full Story... Islander v. Bradenton Beach: lawsuit to progress A hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 2 in the case of The Islander newspaper v. Bradenton Beach Mayor John Chappie, a lawsuit alleging violations of Florida’s public records laws and the Government-in-the-Sunshine Laws. Full Story... Prosecutor seeks medical records in fatal crash By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The state attorney’s office has filed a subpoena requesting the medical records of a man charged in the May 13 fatal crash on the Anna Maria Island Bridge. Full Story... Florida saltwater fish, laws By Paul Roat This brief summary of local fish species should serve as a guide for what you can take home. Fish regulations change often, and although this list is complete as of this date, it is advised to check with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in Tampa at 850-488-6058 for the most up-to-date fishing rules. Full Story... GSR abandons Island properties By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter If any unsecured investor in bankrupt GSR Development LLC thought there was any chance of getting at least some money back through the sale of the company’s numerous properties, those thoughts can now be officially laid to rest. Full Story... Rosy sale The model home built by bankrupt GSR Development LLC at its Villa Rosa subdivision in Anna Maria has been for sale since April. Offered at $2.3 million by RoseBay Real Estate, the 4,140 square foot, canalfront house might be a bargain except that builders involved in construction of the house say another $800,000 in work is needed before a certificate of occupancy can be issued. At one time, NBA player Theo Ratliff of the Boston Celtics had a $150,000 deposit to purchase the house upon completion. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Skinny's cited for code violation By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter The Holmes Beach Code Enforcement Board stressed Monday that a limited number of folks seeking cheeseburgers in paradise can dine outside at Skinny’s Place. Full Story... HB commission OKs dock rules By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter If Holmes Beach city commissioners were to christen their new docking ordinance they might call it “As good as it gets.” Full Story... Holmes Beach aims for 'content neutral' sign rules By Lisa Neff. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach city commissioners agreed last week that they want their planning consultant to go as far as possible in drafting a “content neutral” sign ordinance. Full Story... March to the Gulf A crowd gathers July 15 on the beach to watch hatchling loggerhead sea turtles crawl to the Gulf. The hatchlings, 14 of them, leave tiny trails in the sand as they make their way about 20 feet into the water. Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch volunteers found the hatchlings on July 14 while excavating a nest near the 74th Street beach access in Holmes Beach. Three hatchlings had emerged from the nest July 12, but 144 eggs did not hatch and the 14 stragglers needed some care. The nest, said AMITW executive director Suzi Fox, had to be moved after a storm earlier this summer. Islander Photos: Lisa Neff