Top Stories this week: Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2006 Man dies off Anna Maria Onlookers and friends of the deceased, Insert: Drowning sorrow. Islander Photos: Jack Elka Man dies off Anna Maria A 17-year-old Tampa man apparently drowned Monday afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico off Anna Maria. Full Story... Drainage solution creates drainage problem By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Two issues that have been around in Anna Maria since George Bean first homesteaded in the city more than 100 years ago are parking and drainage. Full Story... Coquina Beach parking scheme reviewed by officials A new look may be coming to the parking area of Coquina Beach. Full Story... Special master gets first-time nod in Bradenton Beach Code enforcement in Bradenton Beach may take a more professional, if less personal, approach later this year. Full Story... Big boat relaunched in Cortez By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter The "Golden Ball" is back in the water where she belongs, moved by crane to a moorage in Hunters Hill Marina in Cortez. Full Story... Cortez meeting set with law enforcers By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter Cortez residents, long disturbed at drug activity in their historic village, will get their hearing Oct. 12 at a community forum arranged by County Commissioner Jane von Hahmann. Full Story... Manatee County inmate captured in Tampa James Greig, 39, whose last known address was Oak Avenue in Anna Maria, was captured in Tampa Sept. 26, two days after he escaped from a work farm near Port Manatee. Full Story... GSR creditors committee: Bon Eau deal criminal By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The GSR unsecured creditors committee formed by the federal bankruptcy court filed a stinging rebuttal to GSR's emergency compromise motion (see separate story) to save its $6.5 million deal with Bon Eau Enterprises LLC of Sarasota, opposing the compromise and claiming that a crime has been committed. Full Story... GSR creditors agree, disagree on management structure By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter The court-approved unsecured creditors committee in the GSR Development bankruptcy case has generally agreed with a motion by GSR attorney Richard Prosser to appoint a restructuring manager for the company, but with one notable exception: GSR principals Robert Byrne and Steve Noriega must get the boot from management. Full Story... Record Holmes Beach budget approved By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Despite pleas from some residents, the Holmes Beach City Commission at its Sept. 26 meeting unanimously approved a record $12.1 million budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year. The commission also approved a millage rate of 1.8, down from the previous year's rate of 1.9, but an increase of 10.38 percent over the rollback rate of 1.61316. Full Story... WMI: Public needs yard waste education By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Some Holmes Beach residents are always complaining that the city isn't saving money, but at the same time, other residents are finding ways for the city to spend money unnecessarily, at least according to Commissioner Pat Morton. Full Story... Holmes Beach moves city limits, won't enforce traffic laws in disputed area By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach and Manatee County are at odds over where the city limits begin and end on Manatee Avenue West. Full Story... Insurance frustrations, cancellations include agent Mixon By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter Holmes Beach insurance agent Mark Mixon says he has lost an estimated 20 percent of his commercial insurance business this year because wind policies are simply unavailable for many of his customers. Full Story... Red tide lingers in Southwest Florida waters By Molly McCartney. Islander Reporter A red tide bloom persists off Southwest Florida. 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.