Top Stories this week: Wednesday, May 31, 2006 A 1,280-pound hammerhead shark caught offshore of Boca Grande ended up in a commercial freezer in Cortez awaiting taxidermy for Mote Laboratory. The shark was trailered to A.P. Bell Fish House. Islander Photos: Courtesy ezfishfinder.com Cortez hosts record hammerhead shark By Jim Hanson. Islander Reporter A huge hammerhead shark caused more commotion ashore last week than it ever did in the water, as Cortez village hosted the marine giant on its way to Mote Marine Laboratory. Full Story... Wind insurance issue still blowing strong By Billy Malfese. Islander Reporter The Island is in a dilemma. Insurance companies that provide wind insurance policies on Anna Maria Island either want to charge residents outrageous premiums for coverage or do not want to offer any coverage. Full Story... Anna Maria ready for hurricane season By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter It may be a subject that a lot of Islanders would like to avoid, but hurricane preparedness has been uppermost in the minds of Anna Maria Mayor SueLynn and her staff the past few months, particularly after the numerous near-misses during last year’s hurricane season. Full Story... Honored for service State Rep. Bill Galvano, right, presents certificate of appreciation to Christine Olson for her efforts after her daughter, Tiffiany, was killed in an auto accident along with her boyfriend Dustin Wilder Dec. 7, 2005. Olson told Galvano of the nightmarish night of the deaths, and he expressed appreciation for her strength in ultimately making emergency contact numbers readily available to law enforcement officers. The presentation was made on the Rod & Reel Pier, workplace of Olson, Tiffiany and son Derek. From left with them are Shawn Olson, Holmes Beach City Commissioner David Zaccignino and Derek Olson. Holmes Beach to Anna Maria: 'Don't bother with study request' By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter A suggestion by Anna Maria City Commissioner Duke Miller and endorsed by the commission that the city participate a "tri-city study to determine the feasibility of consolidating services" will apparently get short shrift from Holmes Beach. Full Story... Mermaids on the roof Roof USA of Weeki Wachee will be the contractor to install a new roof on the Anna Maria City Hall. Full Story... Johnnie be gone Work crews on Friday began demolishing the former Leverock's Restaurant at the east end of the Anna Maria Island Bridge in preparation for a new retail project by the St. Joe Co., owners of the property. Preparation work on St. Joe's 686-unit condominium project adjacent to the restaurant and Perico Harbor Marina has already begun. Ariel Photo: Jack Elka; Bottom Islander Photo: Rick Catlin Nine may not be enough as GSR faces more lawsuits By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Already facing six separate lawsuits filed against it since February, financially and legally troubled GSR Development LLC was hit last week with three more civil actions, in addition to seven liens against projects in which either the company or GSR principal Robert Byrne is involved. Full Story... City can't settle dock dispute - yet By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Maybe if Hugh Holmes Sr. hadn't created so many canals when he first planned developments in Holmes Beach, there wouldn't be so many problems today with docks, canals and who owns what along the numerous waterways. Full Story... Tax relief possible for Island hotels, motels By Rick Catlin. Islander Reporter Hotel and motel owners on Anna Maria Island got some welcome news May 24. Full Story... Second 'shakey' suspect captured The second of two suspects involved in the April 12 burglary of the Shake Pit restaurant in the 3800 block of Manatee Avenue West in which the safe was "towed" out of the restaurant has been arrested, according to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. Full Story...