Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from April 2003

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from April 2003

Sailors outslug Tampa Gaither, 14-4.(SPORTS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT TAMPA -- Sarasota High's Ian Desmond went 3-for-5 to lead a 13-hit attack for the Sailors in a 14-4 district win over host Tampa Gaither Monday. Jon Zizzo and Marcus Sanders each had a pair of hits while teammate...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Kiss-A-Pig candidates to stage mock debate BRADENTON -- Contenders in this year's Kiss-A-Pig fund-raiser for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County will stage a mock debate at noon today in the Manatee County Commission chambers, 1112...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
April 1, 2003... SARASOTA COUNTY Jose Ramon Ballesteros Jose Ramon Ballesteros, 55, Sarasota, died March 29, 2003. He was born March 2, 1948, in Argentina and was a mechanic. Survivors include his wife, Ame; his mother, Lucia of Argentina;...

Unforgettable; Carter, Seay will remember first Opening Day.(SPORTS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Lance Carter and Bobby Seay can't recall any memorable Opening Day moments during their baseball careers. But they won't forget Opening Day 2003. Not...

Opening a smash hit.(SPORTS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: CHRIS ANDERSON chris.anderson@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Now that the Devil Rays have learned how to pull off dramatic ninth-inning wins, they need to work on this celebration thing a little bit. It was getting...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Officials to hold seminar on canker VENICE -- Homeowners wondering about canker and other citrus issues can get answers at a seminar Friday. The University of Florida extension service and directors in Sarasota and Charlotte counties...

Englewood newcomer likes fishing and friends.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Marco Pardo, 12, stretches luxuriously and gazes out over the Myakka River. The mercury hovered around 80 degrees on this fine March day, and the L.A. Ainger sixth-grader was enjoying spring break with a group of his friends in Gulf Cove. "We...

Automotive community loses a man of integrity.(BUSINESS)(Manatee At Work)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Rich Shopes Bradenton's Bob Boast Dodge and Volkswagen is in a somber mood these days. The dealership, 4827 14th St. W., lost its namesake and the automotive community lost a man of integrity. Bob Boast died Sunday of...

Skateboarding tips from a pro.(FLORIDA WEST)(Hot buys)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Mary Awosika It's hard to believe that professional skateboarders who zip up and down 30-foot ramps, doing flips and tricks, were once beginners. But, every aspiring skateboarder has to start with the basics. They must get a...

Plenty of heroes for Lou's Rays.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Doug Fernandes ST. PETERSBURG -- For a day, one glorious, magical, memorable day, these were the heroes. The new veteran, his Rays' uniform just off the hanger, reminding everyone in the dugout, "27 outs, 27 outs, 27 outs." "I...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
April 1, 2003... MANATEE COUNTY June H. Andrews June H. Andrews, 81, Bradenton, died March 29, 2003. She was born Feb. 4, 1922, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and came to Manatee County in 1980 from West Hartford, Conn. She was a homemaker. She attended...

Spring showers bring indoor fun.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... When spring break includes showers, the leaders of the Explorers camp bring fun and games inside. Under the direction of 12-year-veteran Jean Taylor and her daughter, Cindy, the Explorers Program at Englewood United Methodist Church, 700...

Man charged with rape.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA -- A man was arrested Sunday on charges he beat up a woman and raped her, keeping her prisoner in his house for 12 hours. Timothy Laughlin, 37, 1300 block N. Lockwood Ridge Road, was an acquaintance of...

Customer tries to pass fake bill.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- On the surface, the $100 bill didn't seem suspicious. The paper felt genuine, the ink looked right, and the proper security markings were in place. Even...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
April 1, 2003... La Guia wins praise of magazine group Sarasota's La Guia del Golfo was recognized by the National Association of Hispanic Publications as an "Outstanding Spanish Language Magazine." The magazine, edited and published by Luis Eduardo...

Residents sue sludge companies; Seventeen DeSoto County residents ask court to stop the dumping of sludge near their homes.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: SCOTT CARROLL scott.carroll@heraldtribune.com ARCADIA -- Residents here say sewage sludge dumped nearby is fouling the air and water and making them sick and they want it stopped. The company dumping the sludge and the...

William Klick benefits from hippotherapy at Smith Center.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... William Klick may only be three years old, but he's been riding a horse since he was the age of one. Klick, diagnosed with cerebral palsy affecting the motor development in his arms and legs as well as his speech, has learned how to ride with...

Education Notes.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Melissa Williams Robinson Southeast High School will host it's fourth annual FFA Alumni Barbecue and Silent Auction April 12 from 5 to 8 p.m. in the school's cafeteria. Proceeds from the event will provide the FFA organization...

Second-graders help migrants in Arcadia.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Feb. 28, was an especially exciting day for the 34 second-graders in Joanne Conde's class at St. Charles Borromeo School. That afternoon marked the culmination of a wonderful and incredibly successful learning experience undertaken by the boys...

Comdial reports reduced sales, higher profits.(BUSINESS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Comdial Corp., the local maker of telephone and data communications switching systems, reported an improved profit picture for 2002, even though sales were lower...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
April 1, 2003... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Homer Coleman Homer Coleman, 88, Rotonda West, died March 27, 2003. He was born March 2, 1915, in Milan, Mich. He retired in 1976 from Ford Motor Company as a supervisor. Survivors include his wife, Eunice;...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Registration begins for tennis tourney ENGLEWOOD -- Charlotte County Parks and Recreation is accepting registration for the Tringali 50-Plus Open Tennis Tournament at the Tringali Park gymnasium, 3460 S. McCall Road. The deadline for...

Changes planned for Sabal course; Sabal Trace homeowners get notice of a plan to develop and rebuild.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: KELLY BROOKS kelly.brooks@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- Some Sabal Trace homeowners have received a long-awaited reply to their request for information about the future of the golf course in their back yards. For those who...

Event focuses on sexual assault.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT PUNTA GORDA -- An event aimed at raising awareness of sexual assault is planned for noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday on the Edison Community College Charlotte campus, 26300 Airport Road. The Center for Abuse and Rape...

Pine View grad expected to change the world.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Marjorie North Pine View grad and first-year Duke student Lauren Echstenkamper is one of "20 Teens Who Will Change the World," says Teen People magazine. Proud parents Bill and Bonita Echstenkamper and sister Andrea went with...

Sarasota County to widen E. Dearborn.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: KARA CHALMERS kara.chalmers@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- With the three-year widening of Placida Road and Pine Street entering the home stretch -- construction should end in early fall -- Englewood drivers will have 18 months...

Teen pleads guilty in rape case.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: ROBERT PATRICK robert.patrick@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- A 15-year-old boy pleaded guilty Monday to raping a 3-year-old boy his grandmother was baby-sitting. Jesse A. Murphree faced life in prison without parole for the...

Cargill knocks off No. 3 seed Schnyder.(SPORTS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Ansley Cargill has had her fill of golden opportunities and moral victories. What she craved and received Monday was a win over a highly-ranked player when she needed it most. ...

Shana Johnson honored again for community service.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Shana Johnson, 17, is a senior at Palmetto High School. She has been dedicated to community service for many years, and was selected two years in a row to represent the Palmetto Boys and Girls Club as its Youth of the Year. She also was...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Candidates to appear on TV forum today SARASOTA -- The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County will hold a televised forum today featuring the four runoff candidates for Sarasota City Commission. The forum, on BLAB-TV's "Dateline...

Education Notes.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Goshen info session Goshen College will hold an information session from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 8 at the college, 3205 Southgate Circle. Faculty and students will be on hand to answer questions about the college's programs. For more...

Obee's now has more space for diners, trainees.(BUSINESS)(Charlotte Business)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Lauren Mayk Customers and sandwich makers have more room to maneuver now that Obee's has moved to its new Port Charlotte spot. The sub shop jumped down two doors in the LTM Party Plaza at 1931 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte to...

Speedcom Wireless Corp. receives bridge loan.(BUSINESS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Speedcom Wireless Corp., the maker of broadband wireless communications gear, has received a fresh loan that might be a prelude to the company's being acquired by a...

SWAT team brings anti-tobacco message to campers.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... The Charlotte County Students Working Against Tobacco team was trying to convey to campers at the YMCA Spring Break at Peace River Elementary School that they shouldn't talk. Through games, a drama/dance show, and a poster contest, middle...

Local blood bank asked to support military needs.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT BRADENTON -- Manatee Community Blood Center has been asked to help bolster the blood supply needed for wounded troops stationed in Iraq. Local blood banks in a nationwide supply network were told they could be...

City tells residents to resubmit petition.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: SELINA ROMAN selina.roman@heraldtribune.com PALMETTO -- City Council members told residents of the upscale Riviera Dunes Monday to better organize their petition drive if they want to change their street names. And to settle on a...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Imagine Manatee draft to be displayed MANATEE COUNTY -- Organizers of Imagine Manatee will conduct several "Visit the Vision" open houses for the public to read the goals and strategies that were written in several public meetings last...

PepsiCo financial statements to change.(BUSINESS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRAGA michael.braga@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- When PepsiCo Inc. publishes its next financial report in May, it will contain less information about the performance of its various beverage units than it has in the past....

Asolo, FSU are still talking.(FLORIDA WEST)(STATE OF THE ARTS)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Charlie Huisking Can this marriage be saved after all? Well, the good news is, representatives of the Asolo Theatre Company and Florida State University are talking amicably -- at least with reporters present. But...

Scholarship money tight, so milk the poor to send affluent to college.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Tom Lyons People who buy lottery tickets get a bad deal from an economist's point of view, because of the huge state tax they pay. You think you don't pay tax on a lottery ticket, because no sales tax is tacked on? Well,...

Lessons of an after-school fight; Retell the story of one teen's death, another's prison term.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... Communities can sometimes have short memories. Startling, horrific events that command the public's attention for months or years at a time can fade from consciousness -- and the lessons learned from those events slip away, largely forgotten...

Schedule change clouds event's future.(SPORTS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Tennis fans in the Sarasota area have been treated over the past two years to a women's professional tournament that has fielded many of the best players in the world. A quirk...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Hit-and-run victim's condition improves SARASOTA -- A transient woman seriously injured in a car accident was doing better Monday at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Beejal Brooks, 34, was in fair condition, a hospital...

Family still fighting for boy.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: ROBERT ECKHART robert.eckhart@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- It's been a year since 2-year-old Adrain Mitchell was run over and killed on 24th Street, just a few steps from his grandmother's yard. On Monday, his family held a...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Compiled from Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and Punta Gorda police reports filed through March 31. PORT CHARLOTTE Tamiami Trail, 1400 block, March 31. A car was reported burglarized; cash and other items were stolen. Markham...

Airport expansion price tag increases; New security measures alter Southwest Florida International Airport's plans by $52 million.(BUSINESS)
April 1, 2003... Byline: LAUREN MAYK lauren.mayk@heraldtribune.com FORT MYERS -- Government-mandated security measures, the airlines' financial woes and some new capital projects have bumped up the price of Southwest Florida International Airport's new...

Education Notes.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Scholarship grants The Englewood Performing Arts Association announces the award of $1,000 scholarship grants to the following seniors at Lemon Bay High School: Benjamin King, Englewood, was accepted by the School of Music at Florida...

Education Notes.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Wednesday, April 2, 2003. For more information and application forms for the $750 Suncoast Chorale scholarship, contact Speir Collins at 484-8066. The award, for a young singer to...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Portraits exhibit on display at gallery PORT CHARLOTTE -- The Arts & Humanities Council will display a free dual exhibit entitled "Portraits" in April in its office/gallery at 2811-M Tamiami Trail. The exhibit includes pastel portraits...

Thieves target area RV lots.(B SECTION)
April 1, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- Thieves broke into more than 100 RVs here in March, walking away with expensive electronics, guns and cash, authorities said Monday. The Sheriff's...

'Lost at Home' charming but lost for laughs.(FLORIDA WEST)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Jay Handelman Once upon a time, television gave viewers a look into a seemingly idyllic world. Mothers stayed home taking care of the mostly good kids and the household and waiting for their husbands to come home after a long...

Crash course in safety; Improve SUVs for the sake of all drivers and passengers.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
April 1, 2003... SUV drivers are undoubtedly tired of hearing criticism of their vehicles, but it appears the controversy is shifting into higher gear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, a research group financed by insurance companies, recently...

If we test kids for drugs, we've got to know how to handle the results.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
April 1, 2003... Byline: Eric Ernst Sometime in the near future, between algebra and history class at a school near you, someone may stop your child and escort him or her to the nurse's office. There, they'll ask for a urine sample. Then they'll...

IN BRIEF.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Chamber concert planned for Tuesday PORT CHARLOTTE -- The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra and the Woodworks Percussion Ensemble will perform a chamber concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Pilgrim United Church of Christ, 24515 Rampart Blvd. The...

MAKING A DIFFERENCE.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Dedicated to preventing drunk driving Christine Tozzo says she is not a victim. She has never had to deal with the consequences of having a child or family member killed by a drunk driver. Yet, she is dedicated to those who have. ...

NEWS OF RECORD; SARASOTA COUNTY; DIVORCE PETITIONS; FEB. 17-MARCH 2.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Abbott, Clyde and Linda Acquisto, John and Sandra Adams, Sarah and Christopher Amans, Jerry and Nancy Balfe, Terri and John Boober, Jennifer and Errol Bowman, Farrah and Dan Campbell, Cardia and Henry ...

SEEN & HEARD.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Nest relocation is for the birds The recent relocation of an occupied osprey nest has had some local bird lovers atwitter. Perched for as long as anyone can remember on a Florida Power and Light Co. utility pole at the southwest side...

SEEN & HEARD.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... What's in a name? Noel Coward and his dog, Lucas, finished first in last week's regional certification and trials for Florida police K-9 units. That's North Port police Officer Noel Coward, not his eponymous namesake, the late British...

OBITUARIES; MANATEE COUNTY.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
April 2, 2003... Vernon and Marian P. Bacon A memorial service for Bradenton residents Vernon Bacon, who died March 28, 2003, and Marian P. Bacon, who died March 20, 2003, will be at 2 p.m. Sunday at Oneco United Methodist Church, Bradenton. Griffith-Cline...

Water service to be cut temporarily to Phillippi Gardens area.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA -- Water service will be temporarily interrupted for about 300 customers in the Phillippi Gardens area beginning Thursday evening. Crews will shut off the flow from 10 p.m. Thursday to 4 a.m. Friday to...

Sawfish designated as endangered species.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- The smalltooth sawfish became the 19th marine species on the country's endangered list Tuesday, due largely to a three- year effort by a Mote Marine Laboratory scientist. ...

Rolling in DOUGH; Pierogies are the Slovak version of kreplach, ravioli and potstickers.(FLORIDA WEST)(Recipe)
April 2, 2003... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com Many cultures' cuisines have their own version of the pocket of dough wrapped around a savory or sweet filling. There's the Italian ravioli, Jewish kreplach and Chinese potstickers....

Our Community.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... USF public hearing tonight in Bradenton BRADENTON -- The third public hearing on the University of South Florida's plans for a new Sarasota/Manatee campus will be tonight. The hearing will begin at 7 p.m. at Bradenton City Hall, 101 Old...

Hillsborough-Riverview shuts down Venice, 6-1.(SPORTS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- Fourth-ranked Hillsborough-Riverview, the defending Class 6A state champion, flexed its muscle Tueasday night against second-ranked Venice. Senior Beth DiPietro, who...

Brass Quintet shines in spring concert.(FLORIDA WEST)(Review)
April 2, 2003... Byline: RICHARD STORM CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Its organizers called this concert by the Florida Brass Quintet, with members of the Florida West Coast Chamber Players, "Spring Fling," which is apt enough. However, the title doesn't...

Seniors rally for health.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- They arrived in buses. They wore blue T-shirts. Some used walkers and wheelchairs. And while at first glance they may not seem hat formidable, the 2,000 AARP members who...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Acosta out of jail on $100,000 bail BRADENTON - John Acosta is out on $100,000 bail, three days after he was sentenced to more than nine years in prison. Acosta, 19, will remain out on bail while his manslaughter conviction is...

Park plans a re-leaf; 22 oaks will be planted to replace 15 that were uprooted.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: MITRA MALEK mitra.malek@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Memorial trees that were torn from the ground during construction at Rossi Waterfront Park are being reincarnated - as new oaks. Plans for the refurbished park, set to...

Armstrong powers Lady Panthers past ODA.(SPORTS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- Sarah Armstrong had to pinch herself several times to make sure she wasn't dreaming. What the Bradenton Christian senior accomplished Tuesday night usually only happens in the movies. ...

NEWS OF RECORD; DIVORCES; MANATEE COUNTY; MARCH 19-25.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Alderin, Albert A. Jr. and Linda. Anderson, Kenneth A. and Sheryl C. Billy, J. Ricky and Brenda L. Bober, William C. and Pauline L. Thomson. Colavito, Alfred James and Clara. Collins, Steven and Shannon. Crisham, Alan...

Tarpons top Hurricanes.(SPORTS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: STAFF REPORT BRADENTON -- Charlotte High's Desiree Douglass struck out 13 hitters in relief as the Lady Tarpons trounced district foe Manatee High 11-3. Marie Rottman led the Charlotte offense going 2-for-4 with two runs...

Sarasota Chamber president resigns.(BUSINESS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: MICHAEL BRAGA michael.braga@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Rex Richards resigned as president of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce Tuesday, telling a fellow board member that he had decided to pursue other interests. ...

Residents send messages to U.S. soldiers.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Operation Homefront at the Port Charlotte Town Center Mall brought many people out in support of our soldiers. KIX 92.9 radio and the American Red Cross of Charlotte County offered large, blank banners for people to write messages on. The...

MAKING A DIFFERENCE.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Name: Originally from Massachusetts, Donna Kitson and her husband, Donald, moved to Burnt Store Meadows in 1993 after living in Washington for 13 years. Organizations: Apart from her position as administrative assistant at Friendship...

Port Charlotte boys, Charlotte girls earn county titles.(SPORTS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com MURDOCK -- Griff Howard completed the anchor leg of the Port Charlotte High 4x400 relay team on crutches after the teams had cleared the track. Less than halfway around his...

Ensuring home ownership; Mortgage-insurance tax break would help more renters buy.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
April 2, 2003... For many Americans, $50 a month can be the difference between becoming a homeowner or reluctantly remaining a renter. A new bill in Congress would help close that gap, as well as ease the financial burden on people who are struggling to keep up...

Manatee County seeks noise watchdogs.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: SCOTT CARROLL scott.carroll@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- The county is looking for a few good noise police, people with an ear for loud rackets and an eye for reading a noise meter. Those interested also must be able to...

Field trips are getting closer look.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: JAMES ROLAND jay.roland@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Field trips are being scrutinized more closely than ever now as school officials weigh the benefits of educational opportunities with concerns about student safety. ...

Families clash at murder trial; Defense attorney asks for mistrial after some jurors witness uproar outside courtroom.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: ROBERT PATRICK robert.patrick@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- A clash between families triggered a call for a mistrial in Byron Mitchell's murder trial Tuesday. The families of the dead man, Rickey White, and Mitchell, who is...

District could lose top candidates; Board members ask to speed up the superintendent search process to gain leverage over other districts.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: LAURA GREEN laura.green@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Manatee County stands to lose top school superintendent candidates as other districts considering the same ones race ahead with their searches. Those districts have...

Defending champion eliminated; Jelena Dokic, who won the tournament last year, gets bounced in first round by Paola Suarez in straight sets.(SPORTS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- If ever a No. 1 seed and defending champion was set up for a quick fall, it was Jelena Dokic Tuesday in the Sarasota Clay Court Classic. Paola Suarez was the perfect opponent...

Atheist opposes signs for troops; He says they display the words "God" and "pray" on city property.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Byline: KELLY L. BROOKS kelly.brooks@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- Atheist Charles Cheves has declared war on 15 signs urging support for U.S. troops in Iraq because they include the words "God" and "pray" and are displayed on city...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
April 2, 2003... Compiled from Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and Punta Gorda police reports filed through April 1. PORT CHARLOTTE Kenyon Avenue, 21400 block, March 30. Amber Lynn Armitage, 20, of Port Charlotte and Richard Alan Smith, 24, of Punta...

Anna ousted; Kournikova shines, then flames out in loss to Iva Majoli.(SPORTS)
April 2, 2003... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- She came. She played. She lost. In the most anticipated match in the first round of the Sarasota Clay Court Classic, Anna Kournikova started with whimper and went out quietly at...