Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from August 2007

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from August 2007

IRATE TAXPAYERS AND CONSUMERS ASK: WHERE'S THE SAVINGS? Taxes have landlords seeking City Hall recall.
August 1, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK and CATHY ZOLLO STAFF WRITERS But the landlords are hoping that their petitions, which they want to get signed by thousands of their renters, will drum up statewide interest in the idea of recalling lawmakers who...

BAY'S NEW DENIZENS BAFFLE SCIENTISTS.
August 1, 2007... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com Staff members at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota are looking into the spread of the jellyfish. Marine biologists with Manatee County are asking boaters to report any...

Jennings admits campaign did not send payroll taxes.
August 1, 2007... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE H-T POLITICAL WRITER "When I found out about it, I corrected it," she said Tuesday in a telephone interview. She hired a payroll company, Paychex, that summer to make sure the taxes were paid on time. ...

Time to improve fuel economy Higher standards for U.S. cars are long overdue.
August 1, 2007... You might think a reminder would be unnecessary. But an outdated calendar seems as likely an explanation as any for why those standards have remained essentially the same as when they were set more than 30 years ago. This week, the House...

Clarify planning agreement County, Venice need to settle question of compatibility.
August 1, 2007... Recently, for example, e-mails and statements by city and county officials reflected a dispute over whether Bella Citta, a developmentproposed in Venice, is covered by the agreement and, if so, to what extent. At one point last week,...

Happy trip home for Jays' Litsch.
August 1, 2007... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com Jesse Litsch, the former Tampa Bay bat boy, returned to his old stomping grounds as an enemy. In his first major league appearance in his hometown as a member of the Toronto...

Give Giambi credit for fessing up.
August 1, 2007... Byline: Doug Fernandes Post-game pizza and wings Monday night, Carrabba's Tuesday night, Outback tonight. A taste of the bigs, for many players who won't catch a whiff. Then again, Jason Giambi will earn $21.5 million this season. ...

Knights have new stadium, 17 returning starters.
August 1, 2007... Byline: CHAD BROCKHOFF CORRESPONDENT New helmets, a new nickname and most important, a new on-campus stadium, are the final steps of a revitalization project O'Leary took on when he became the program's head coach in December 2003. The...

Simms' secret Quarterback's health stirs up a lot of rumors, discussion.
August 1, 2007... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com "Don't make a big deal out of this. Because it's not a big deal. My arm is a little sore, nothing like crazy sore," Simms said, adding it developed the second day of training camp, last...

Perez lifts Reds over Yankees.
August 1, 2007... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT Giambi had a single to right field in the fourth and also walked, flew out to center and popped out in four plate appearances. Perez was the undisputed hitting star as he led the SaraReds' 14-hit...

Pirates win in 11 on Hagan's hit.
August 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Pirates forged the 3-3 tie in off-and-on showers on a bases-loaded balk in the sixth. Caleb Fields went 2-for-4 for the Pirates. Andrew Biela was 2-for-3 and drove in a run. Ricardo Burgos homered to lead...

Business Buzz.
August 1, 2007... Sarasota Memorial Home Care hires 17 Sarasota Memorial Home Care recently hired new staff members. Office staff: Anita Fuentes, medical records clerk; and Sage Pawloski, intake coordinator. Nursing staff: Andrea Bogard and Beth Feustel,...

A different kind of salamander.
August 1, 2007... Byline: Linda Brandt Rub filets with olive oil, salt and pepper. Have the fan going (and possibly the smoke alarm covered) when you sear the steaks on both sides in the hot skillet or griddle for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Immediately, put...

Deep cuts, and getting deeper Public needs to join revenue reduction debate.
August 1, 2007... * Reducing the hours of service and programs at gyms, parks, libraries and pools. * Decreasing restroom maintenance at parks from seven days a week to five days; cutting back trash removal at parks from daily to two to three days a week....

SEEN & HEARD.
August 1, 2007... But recently, a looming presence has shaken the calm: fish police. A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer has been patrolling the jetty looking for fishing violations. The officer, who declined to be quoted, said FWC...

Charlotte wants to track buses with GPS Funding for the devices could depend on voters' approving a sales tax hike.
August 1, 2007... Byline: KEVIN DALE kevin.dale@heraldtribune.com The system is one of a number of security improvements the district wants to make on existing equipment at schools. But the additional security items, including extended fences and video...

Program helps struggling single moms get on track.
August 1, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT "I don't regret one minute that I put into my kids," she said now that her twin sons are 27 and her oldest son is 32. So, in April 2006, when her pastor, the Rev. Skip Struebing of Peace...

Shining Stars kick up heels in musical.
August 1, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT The cast of "High School Musical" will take the stage immediately following the performance of "Aristocats," starring the morning class of elementary children, at the Lemon Bay Performing Arts Center....

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
August 1, 2007... Feb. 4, 1924 - July 28, 2007 George M. Couillard, 83, Cape Haze, formerly of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., died July 28, 2007. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Lemon Bay Funeral Home, Englewood Chapel....

BEST BETS.
August 1, 2007... Pet first aid. A pet lover needs to know how to care for animals in an emergency. Learn CPR, rescue breathing, bandaging, how to recognize and treat poisoning and much more. The class is from 6 until 10 p.m. today. Call 629-4345 to register....

BEST BETS.
August 1, 2007... Volunteers in Policing: The Venice Police Department is seeking volunteers to participate in a year-round program involving school safety, community service, clerical work, parking enforcement, traffic control and consulting. The VIP program...

Murder count may be upgraded Prosecutors weigh first-degree indictment for Scott Huss.
August 1, 2007... Byline: HEATHER ALLEN heather.allen@heraldtribune.com Assistant State Attorney Daniel Feinberg set no time frame for when prosecutors would decide whether to seek a first-degree murder indictment from a grand jury. The main difference...

BEST BETS.
August 1, 2007... FRIDAY Venice Airport Charrette: The public is invited to attend the charrette (or design workshop) about future land use at Venice Municipal Airport. The kickoff meeting is 6 p.m. Friday at the Venice Community Center, 326 S. Nokomis...

'National Night Out' unites communities against crime.
August 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Residents are encouraged to take a stand against crime and to help make their neighborhoods, workplaces and towns safer. From 5 to 9 p.m. at North Port High School, 6400 W. Price Blvd., there will be a barbecue,...

Speak up on budget cuts Residents should tell commission their views.
August 1, 2007... Manatee's commissioners have complained about cuts and the short amount of time they've been given to make them. But, so far, they've shown little interest in exercising an option that would let them, by unanimous vote, set a higher tax rate...

Bradenton police plan to review procedure Officials will conduct their own investigation into the story of a police beating.
August 1, 2007... Byline: ANTHONY CORMIER and MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA STAFF WRITERS Eight minutes after Buttitta cleared the call, del Angel flagged down a passing Manatee County sheriff's deputy and said he had been beaten by a police officer. There was blood...

Mourning a wife and a 'sister' Family and friends gather in memory of Susan Fast.(Obituary)
August 1, 2007... Byline: EMILY MORRIS emily.morris@heraldtribune.com At Fast's funeral Tuesday, mourners tried not to dwell on the way Fast died and instead focused on the way she lived. In a memorial service at Sarasota Baptist Church Tuesday morning,...

SEEN & HEARD.
August 1, 2007... When the woman adamantly insisted that she would not consider the death penalty, defense attorney Franklin Roberts asked whether she could support a life sentence without parole. Of course, the woman said. But why? Roberts asked....

News of Record.
August 1, 2007... JULY 18-24 Bass, Frederick E. and Valerie A. Boeckel, Alexander and Lisa Ann. Curle, Michael Charles and Livy E. Stoyka. Dauphin, Clermont Sr. and Juana Latrell. Guthrie, Brian C. and Billie G. Kenney, Robert and...

POLICE BRIEFS.
August 1, 2007... Michael W. Carter said he wanted his 90-year-old father, Charles, to die, according to Manatee County sheriff's reports. "You need to just die," Michael Carter said. A deputy responded to the Carter home, 4900 block 18th St. E., to...

IN BRIEF.
August 1, 2007... * Bayshore Road, Rubonia. * Fifth Street East, north of 63rd Avenue, Bradenton. * Ninth Street East, south of U.S. 301 Boulevard, Bradenton. * Lena Road, south of State Road 64, Bradenton. * S.R. 62 and Spencer Parrish Road,...

Flotilla 85 to offer course in fundamentals of boating.
August 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Course covers how to select a boat, Florida laws, federal laws, beginning navigation, weather, differences in emergency signals and more. A certificate and wallet card will be issued after passing the exam at the...

OBITUARIES.
August 1, 2007... Feb. 6, 1927 - July 29, 2007 Mary Lou Broyles, 80, Bradenton since 1990, formerly of Orlando, died July 29, 2007. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bethel Baptist Church in Bradenton. Arrangements by Brown and Sons...

Cohen makes way for the new Habitat for Humanity plans 75-unit condo at housing project's former site.
August 1, 2007... Byline: CATHY ZOLLO cathy.zollo@heraldtribune.com It will turn 36 ramshackle apartments more reminiscent of Beirut than Sarasota into 75 condominiums, give or take. Half will be affordable housing. The other half will be some mix of...

County worker is facing sex charge He reportedly sought sex over the Internet from a detective posing as a boy.
August 1, 2007... Byline: DOUG SWORD doug.sword@heraldtribune.com McFadyen was arrested July 21, but county officials were not aware of the charges until Tuesday. McFadyen was placed on paid administrative leave pending an internal review of the allegations,...

SEEN & HEARD.
August 1, 2007... There is nothing funny about that. The name of the fungus, however, is a different story. Even the UF media office cracked a joke about the Aspergillus. In their press release, they noted it was a fungus "that has nothing to do with...

FOR SKATERS, A TEMPORARY SETBACK Payne Park construction shutters concrete playground.
August 1, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The park is popular among teenagers and school-age children. It opened in late 2003 and has remained open to skaters for the past year despite construction to improve Payne Park. But workers now need to finish...

News of Record.
August 1, 2007... June 18-July 1 Alarcon, Juan and Cruz. Algarin, Jorge and Crystal. Allen, Patricia and Darren. Asterita, Michael and Melissa. Banks, Rhonda and James. Basoria, Lino and Rosalba. Berthelson, Michelle and Richard....

IN BRIEF.
August 1, 2007... The driver was in the turning lane on Fruitville Road, approaching Tuttle Avenue, when the man ran into traffic, authorities say. The pedestrian, whose identity was not immediately known, was flown to Bayfront Medical Center in St....

Illusionists amaze, dazzle children at Historic Asolo.
August 1, 2007... Byline: CHRISTINE HAWES CORRESPONDENT Though the change in audience requires LaRaf to tone down some otherwise adult-themed stage banter, it's also a rewarding chance to soak up "their little faces with eyes wide open and mouths wide...

OBITUARIES.
August 1, 2007... Nov. 13, 1925 - July 26, 2007 Dorothy Deringer Allen, 81, Sarasota, formerly of Ada, Ohio, died July 26, 2007. Memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Venice. Burial will be in Ada. Survivors...

'Coach Larry' won fans on and off the football field.
August 1, 2007... Byline: MARK ZALOUDEK mark.zaloudek@heraldtribune.com "Coach Larry" also served as a coach for the North Port Youth Basketball League for several years. Thoennissen, 43, was doing what he loved best -- mentoring youths -- when he...

Mother's idea will keep on giving.(Who's In Town?)
August 1, 2007... Byline: AIMEE CHOUINARD CORRESPONDENT Roffers realized that what her girls did not need was another pinkoutfit, but an appreciation for the opportunities into which they were born. With the birth of her first daughter, Roffers said...

Mall's upscale aspirations concern its neighbors.
August 1, 2007... Byline: CAROL E. LEE carol.lee@heraldtribune.com "A boutique mall they want?" said Paul Ramsier, a Southgate resident who blasted the project in the community's newsletter. "I'd like to know what they intend to do for the community."...

Knick's menu took us beyond burger craving.
August 1, 2007... Byline: ROBERT ECKHART robert.eckhart@heraldtribune.com And you get plenty of French bread on the side, so you can dunk it in the dregs of the sauce. The boneless short rib sandwich was solid. The meat was fork-tender and piled...

Library boxes pack up fun.
August 1, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Jacaranda youth librarians Nancy Velazquez and Sheila Kaufer prepared two boxes with programs for children ages 5 to 10, and Maryann Gawle, program assistant, prepared boxes for 3- to 5-year-olds. ...

Coffeehouse serves as an audition site for benefit album.
August 1, 2007... Byline: TODD RUGER todd.ruger@heraldtribune.com The idea is to collect a mixture of original music that gives local musicians global exposure and raises money for NextAid, a Los Angeles-based nonprofit group, local organizer Joseph...

Junior League touts its benefits.
August 1, 2007... President MaryAnn Boehm spoke to the group about the Junior League's mission and a few of the benefits of joining. She explained that the volunteer projects and fundraisers are a great way to benefit the community and meet new people. ...

Lovin' summer at YPG gathering.
August 1, 2007... YPG will celebrate the start of its fourth year with its Fall Kickoff Party on Nov. 9 at Selby Gardens. Keffie Lancaster, Lynne Armitage and Adora Hayden will co-chair the jungle-themed event. This will be Keffie's last event with the...

Sarasota firm embroiled in investor fraud inquiry Mostly elderly clients lost $35 million, investigators say.
August 2, 2007... Byline: TOM BAYLES tom.bayles@heraldtribune.com Investigators with the Florida Office of Financial Regulation say the business advertised high-interest, FDIC-backed certificates of deposit, then persuaded many customers to sink thousands of...

Yet another voting headache At least this time, the flaws were found before the election.
August 2, 2007... The technical flaws were first unearthed nearly two years ago in an unconventional experiment by Leon County Supervisor of Elections Ion Sancho. He invited computer expert Harri Hursti to hack Leon County's optical scan voting system, made by...

Fare is fair Charge for trolleys to hold down costs on regular buses.
August 2, 2007... The changes, which would generate an estimated $150,000 in savings, include imposing a first-ever fare for the trolleys. Tentative plans call for charging 50 cents a ride or $1 for an all-day pass. The trolleys, which now run every 20...

Bullpen picks up Hammel Juan Salas, Gary Glover, Dan Wheeler and Al Reyes shut down Jays, after Tampa Bay starter is injured.
August 2, 2007... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com What the Tampa Bay manager received in his place was a bigger treat. The recently revamped Rays bullpen threw six shutout innings, helping Tampa Bay take two of three with...

Ruud ready to take on starting role.
August 2, 2007... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com Last year would have been especially traumatic for Ruud to be thrown into the starting lineup because he was still getting over the death of his mother. Jaime Ruud died of a heart attack on...

MIXING IT UP Mixed Martial Arts comes to Sarasota.
August 2, 2007... Byline: DOUG FERNANDES doug.fernandes@heraldtribune.com You guessed it. For fighting. "I've been street-fighting for a while," he said, "so it kinda fell into place. Now I get the chance to do it and get paid." It's a combination...

Cardinal Mooney graduate Kennedy advances to U.S. Amateur tournament.
August 2, 2007... Byline: Mark Cardon Kennedy shot 71-69 -- 140 Monday and Tuesday to claim medalist honors at the U.S. Amateur qualifying at Cypress Run Golf Club in Tarpon Springs. With four final state qualifiers scheduled for next week, Kennedy is...

AREA CHIP SHOTS.
August 2, 2007... PORT CHARLOTTE -- The 36-hole Michelob Ultra Charlotte County Open will be played on the Kingsway Country Club and Riverwood Golf Club on Oct. 13-14. The $150 entry fee includes breakfast and lunch each day, admission to an Oct. 12 tee-off...

Vasquez HR lifts Orioles.
August 2, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Vasquez's tiebreaking blast over the left-field fence came with one out in the 11th and broke a 6-all tie. Leonardo Huches pitched three shutout innings for the win. Orioles shortstop Rodolfo Cardona went 3-for-4....

Yankees shut out Reds in rain-shortened game.
August 2, 2007... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT Tampa's Chris Malec's three-run double with two outs in the top of the sixth inning broke a scoreless game as the Yankees earned a 5-0 victory without the services of New York rehabbing star Jason Giambi,...

RAYS NOTEBOOK.
August 2, 2007... Playing his final game for Montgomery, Longoria hit a grand slam in his final at-bat Tuesday night. The Rays' No. 1 pick in 2006 is tied for the Southern League lead and tied the Biscuits' team record with his 21st home run in a 6-2 victory...

An early and adequate set of league rules helps avoid problems later.
August 2, 2007... Byline: Bill Herald Too many times, a league is well into its schedule before the rules are questioned, but at that point, it's most often too late to make a change. In leagues certified by the United States Bowling Congress, rules in...

Sun Hydraulics seeks more business in India Manager is hired to increase sales of cartridge manifolds and valves.
August 2, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Reddy was most recently a business development manager for Sun's distributor in the United Arab Emirates. "We are excited to have Mr. Reddy on board and expect he will help us to develop additional business in the...

Business Buzz.
August 2, 2007... Chamber to hold first TechFast Breakfast The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will begin its inaugural TechFast Breakfast Series with "Small Business Essentials" on Friday at 7:45 a.m. at the Sarasota University Club, 1605 Main St.,...

PGT Inc. reports profits fall 72 percent in second quarter.(Financial report)
August 2, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Revenues fell nearly 27 percent, from $108.7 million to $79.7. Like many Florida businesses, the company laid the blame for its sagging fortunes on the slow housing market. "Compared to the second quarter of...

School of hard knocks Punta Gorda is right place to study hurricane preparation.
August 2, 2007... The site formerly served as a hurricane debris management area. Punta Gorda Police Chief Chuck Rinehart said the property once held 300,000 cubic yards of debris. Within view around town, cranes moved over the Sunloft office/retail...

Comeback for East Elementary Rebuilding moves ahead at school hit by Charley.
August 2, 2007... Byline: KEVIN DALE kevin.dale@heraldtribune.com The Baker Center, the district's prekindergarten facility, will hold a community walk-through on Aug. 13. Neil Armstrong Elementary is scheduled to welcome students in October, and school...

Homeowner group replaces manager Rotonda West Association fired last one in February.
August 2, 2007... Byline: PATTIE MIHALIK H-T CORRESPONDENT Julie A. Pittman, 41, of North Port, who began work Tuesday, said she researched the association, read meeting minutes to become familiar with the issues and is not put off by the fact that the last...

IN BRIEF.
August 2, 2007... Vincenzio J. Capizzano, 25, switched his clothes in the dressing room of Port Charlotte Bealls Outlet on July 3, according to a sheriff's report. Capizzano ran from the store but left his prison ID in the discarded clothes, deputies said. ...

BEST BETS.
August 2, 2007... SATURDAY Cut-a-thon to benefit teen. A 12-hour cut-a-thon will kick off at 9 a.m. Saturday in the parking lot of Peace River Regional Medical Center in Port Charlotte to benefit the Thomas Widenhofer Trust. Tommy is a 14-year-old Port...

Wide community support is a high note for orchestra.
August 2, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT Fortunately, when he signed on board in April 2004, he came with a solid background in business and fundraising. Before moving to Port Charlotte in 2003, the Chicagoan's career was in fundraising...

Sneade tackles 'Streisand Songbook'.
August 2, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT As a professional actress, comedienne, vocalist and stage personality, Sneade continues to perform extensively in the Boston area and throughout New England. Her tours have taken her to stages at...

Obituaries.(Obituary)
August 2, 2007... Oct. 17, 1928 - July 30, 2007 Virginia Lee "Jenny" Diersing, 78, Port Charlotte, formerly of Newport News, Va., died July 30, 2007. Visitation will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. today at Roberson Funeral Home, Port Charlotte...

In airport plans: safety first Meetings should focus on safety areas, protection zones.
August 2, 2007... Yet, the City Council has been in such a rush to develop the airport's open, public land that safety issues have not been sufficiently discussed. This week, when the city begins a design "charette" process to involve the public in plans...

NO ANSWERS AND NO SATISFACTION One man says the North Port police were slow to open an investigation.
August 2, 2007... Byline: JOHN DAVIS john.davis@heraldtribune.com What Ashworth said he is sure about is that it took several calls -- and an e-mail from the office of U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan -- to North Port police before they launched an investigation into...

POLICE BRIEFS.
August 2, 2007... One of the homes had "ANS2" spray-painted on the driveway. The other home had symbols and words sprayed onto the garage in black and green paint. It is unclear what the symbols represent. A few blocks away, a car was vandalized. On it,...

BEST BETS.
August 2, 2007... UPCOMING A free children's art class: Sun painting on fabric taught by Catherine Beausoleil will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Jockey Club, 3050 Pan American Blvd., North Port. Pre-register at the Jockey Club office. Sponsored...

VLT Summer Stock cast gets 'Footloose'.
August 2, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Sandy Davisson, director of education and outreach for VLT said, "This is the real thing, Summer Stock as it was meant to be. I am very excited to see this project come to fruition." The students...

Catch Health in Motion unit for testing and basic care.
August 2, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Health in Motion provides basic health services to residents who have Medicaid, who do not have health insurance or who lack transportation. No appointment is needed. Services include blood pressure and diabetes...

Deal beefs up Myakka park buffer The easement plan will protect 652 acres from development.
August 2, 2007... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com Under the deal, Swiftmud and the U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay $2.4 million to the landowner to make the land a conservation easement, blocking any future development...

Charge dropped over ID issue Robbery case touches on the challenge of getting a balanced photo lineup.
August 2, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com The victim said at least two or three people robbed and beat him, but immediately after the hold-up the man suffered memory loss, according to Pete Biddlecome, the former...

POLICE BRIEFS.
August 2, 2007... Aaron T. Gooding, was arrested on charges that include DUI manslaughter and driving with a suspended license. He was released on bail Wednesday. The fatal crash happened March 12 about 9:30 p.m. at the intersection of University Parkway...

DEP rejects cleanup plan.
August 2, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Lockheed proposes to build a series of wells and trenches to extract and treat millions of gallons of contaminated ground water before dumping it into the county sewer system. DEP officials questioned the location...

BEST BETS.
August 2, 2007... 11120 State Road 70 E., Bradenton. Meetings include educational topics, informal sharing and networking. Childcare for children and siblings is provided. For more information, call 907-0499 or visit the Web site at www.manasotaBUDS.com.

Local educator, volunteer and musician wins award.
August 2, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT He was honored at the Leadership Summit in West Palm Beach for his volunteer work as an arts educator and a professional musician. The award honors an individual who has provided significant support to arts...