Top Stories this week: Wednesday, July. 20, 2005 High heat and fire An emergency medical technician applies some wet towels to the neck of a firefighter while other firefighters battle the blaze at 764 Jacaranda St. in Anna Maria Monday morning. No one was injured in the fire. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Click image to enlarge Devastating loss An upset Joan Zak of 764 Jacaranda St. in Anna Maria talks with husband Bob Dancey across the street from their residence after a Monday morning fire destroyed the home they had lived in since 1992. Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Click image to enlarge Fire destroys Anna Maria home By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A house fire Monday morning in Anna Maria totally destroyed a residence at 764 Jacaranda Street and caused smoke damage to three adjacent structures. It was the second time in the past six weeks that a fire has devastated a house in the city. Full Story... Hunts win lawsuit against Anna Maria By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter In what some local legal experts had considered a "slam dunk" case from the beginning, Anna Maria residents Robert and Nicki Hunt have won their lawsuit against the city for its denial of their site plan for a three-story retail-office-residential structure at 303 Pine Ave. Full Story... Thurells plan Cortez-style homes in Cortez Fulfilling a pledge made two years ago when they bought Hunter's Hill Marina in Cortez (The Islander, April 4, 2003), Peter and Eva Thurell have submitted plans to build 39 single-family homes on the 12.5 acre site at 12504 Cortez Road that will be done in keeping with the architectural style of Cortez. Full Story... Holmes Beach prepares its 2005-06 budget By Diana Bogan. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach commissioners last week discussed setting the maximum millage rate at 2.0 mills. State law requires a tentative tax rate be established by all governments by Aug. 3. Full Story... The milkman did it To be more precise, the Velda Farms dairy delivery truck driver did it. Early Monday morning the dairy driver headed down the alley, actually Mango Lane, behind the Island Shopping Center at Gulf and Marina drives to make deliveries. Full Story... Top Notch Weekly Contest Winner TOP NOTCH: 'On the Mountain' fourth weekly winner Ed Chiles sent this fantastic nature shot taken on his travels and the Top Notch judges agreed that "it's a winner." He will receive a "More Than a Mullet Wrapper" Islander T-shirt, a bottle of wine from Anna Maria Island Liquor & Wine and a lunch certificate from Minnie Beach Cafe. The photo will go into a pool with other weekly winners eligible for the contest grand-prize package, including $100 from The Islander, a $50 gift certificate from Mister Robert's Resortwear, a premium bottle of champagne from Time Saver, dinner for two at Ooh La La! Bistro, and framing of their winning entry from Decor Gallery and Framing. Full Story...