Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from December 2008

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from December 2008

A shrinking role for hands.(CHAPTER 25)
December 31, 2008... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL "When you see 'em going down the row, filling those bins, it's impressive," says Will Elliot, general manager of Coe-Collier Citrus Harvesting. "They move some fruit." For hundreds of years, citrus has been...

LAW TO LIFT WAGE STIRS A DEBATE $7.21 AN HOUR: Minimum- wage workers get raises, but will some lose jobs?
December 31, 2008... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com But for businesses struggling to meet payroll in the face of one of the worst recessions in decades, the voter-mandated increase is another challenge, especially for retail and grocery...

CORRECTIONS.(Correction notice)
December 31, 2008... * The top prize at Phone Card Sweepstakes in Sarasota is $5,000. An incorrect number appeared in a story Tuesday about local gambling houses that provide access to sweepstakes games with the purchase of a phone card or Internet time. ...

Opportunity lost? Could an alternate proposal save baseball in Sarasota?
December 31, 2008... But, as Commissioner Nora Patterson recently wrote in an e-mail after the county and team declined each other's proposals, "I think the impasse is a lost opportunity in many ways." She's right. A proposal by the Orioles had strong support...

Shifting years Thank you, customers, for sticking with us in 2008.
December 31, 2008... Thank you, newspaper readers, Web site users and television viewers for using the Herald-Tribune Media Group as a source of information and as a vehicle for engaging in the community and world around us. Thank you, letter writers, guest...

BUSINESS BUZZ.
December 31, 2008... Blanton joins Parker Law Group Laurie J. Blanton has joined The Parker Law Group, 551 N. Cattlemen Road, Suite 106, in Sarasota. Blanton will practice in the areas of personal injury, family law and bankruptcy law. She was...

Gevity saves on AIG workers' comp contract.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT "We are very pleased with the terms and conditions of our renewal for 2009," Garry J. Welsh, Gevity's chief financial officer, said in a statement on Tuesday. "Moreover, we are encouraged that our effective risk...

Radiomaker's new leader is a technology authority.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT Warning Systems makes VHF and UHF tone alert radios that can be selected geographically, individually, or by common interest groups, and activated by the Common Alerting Protocol, or CAP. The company also...

NORTH PORT TOP TEN.
December 31, 2008... Denise Lee, a 21-year-old mother of two, was abducted from her North Port and murdered in January. Chances to save her were missed by mishandled 911 calls, leading to a lawsuit by Lee's family and calls for 911 reform. Michael King, 37, is...

VENICE TOP TEN.
December 31, 2008... An attempt to limit growth at the Venice airport led to a open-records violation lawsuit against four city commissioners and former employees amid allegations they communicated via private e-mail, used code names and may have destroyed...

A night for reading and camaraderie.
December 31, 2008... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Carrie Martin brought her son Colton, a niece Isabella Sanchez and two friends, brother and sister Keegan and Macayla Marionla to the school. Martin and her group joined the more than 100 parents...

Four students awarded Joe Turnesa scholarships.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT In acknowledgment of the increased demand for scholarships, the number of students selected went from the usual three to four. The winners were chosen for their scholarship, leadership, character and financial...

OBITUARIES.
December 31, 2008... Dec. 27, 1942 - Dec. 29, 2008 Richard Clementi, 66, Nokomis, formerly of Buffalo, N.Y., died Dec. 29, 2008. Services are by Ewing Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, Cydney; daughters Renee, Chrissy and Sandyl; his mother,...

MANATEE TOP TEN.
December 31, 2008... A fuel tanker rolled off the Interstate 75 overpass in Ellenton on June 4 and exploded, killing the driver. The fiery explosion damaged the overpass, causing a 12-mile, two-hour detour. A new section of the overpass was completed in 16 days,...

Reward is offered in disappearance.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT The 49-year-old's disappearance is being investigated as a homicide. The Gold Star Club was formed to support authorities by providing rewards that would help solve serious crimes in Manatee County. It was...

Athletes with disabilities can compete in TOPSoccer.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT The program has grown steadily, and this past season was the first time it was offered during the fall. The winter season begins in a few weeks. "Ever since introducing the program to the area, I look forward...

OBITUARIES.
December 31, 2008... Aug. 9, 1903 - Dec. 27, 2008 Dr. Corbet S. Johnson, 105, Holmes Beach, formerly of Waverly, N.Y., died Dec. 27, 2008. Arrangements are by Griffith-Cline Funeral Home. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Cheek; a son Thomas;...

Greeting 2009, in town or at home.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT The event starts at noon with children's activities such as elephant rides and circus acts, and continues with music and dancing on four stages through 1 a.m. Thursday. It is sponsored by the Downtown Merchants...

SARASOTA TOP TEN.
December 31, 2008... The Sarasota housing market slumped. Median home prices fell to $235,000 in June, lowest since 2004. In November, 1,111 foreclosures were filed in Sarasota County. 2. BASEBALL BATTLE Voters shot down a new spring training facility...

TOP TEN FLORIDA STORIES OF 2008.
December 31, 2008... The national foreclosure crisis continued to be concentrated in states such as Florida, where a stunning 7.3 percent of all loans were in foreclosure at the end of September, by far the highest in the country. The national average was 3...

Pregnancy leads to her new life.(SEASON OF SHARING)
December 31, 2008... Byline: JENNIFER SHEA CORRESPONDENT What began as recreational drug use quickly turned into substance abuse; Rivest left school. She "turned her life around," she said, when she discovered that she was pregnant. She moved into...

IN BRIEF.
December 31, 2008... Tickets will be available on a first come-first served basis at noon Saturday at the Newton Redevelopment Office, 1782 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way. "American Idol" winner Ruben Studdard will appear. Agency will present plans for...

Closings for New Year's Day.
December 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT Sarasota County Area Transit will have service only on Route 18 on Longboat Key. Manatee County Area Transit will limit service to the Anna Maria Island trolley. Mail The U.S. Postal Service will not...

Fund to honor student.
December 31, 2008... Byline: LOUJEAN ISSA CORRESPONDENT Fernandez, a 21-year-old Booker High School graduate, Manatee Community College student and Marine reservist who served in Iraq, was shot and killed in an Oct. 24 carjacking. Pat McCarthy, an MCC...

POLICE REPORT.
December 31, 2008... SARASOTA -- A Sarasota man who allegedly vandalized a mailbox Tuesday was arrested after police said he attacked two people in front of an officer. While the officer was taking a report on the mailbox, the woman who had complained about...

OBITUARIES.
December 31, 2008... July 19, 1950 - Dec. 28, 2008 John Stewart "Stewart" Allen, 58, Sarasota, formerly of Memphis, Tenn., and Dallas, Texas, died Dec. 28, 2008. A Celebration of Life memorial service will be Saturday at Calvary Episcopal Church,...

Mythical world of artist promoted nature's beauty.
December 31, 2008... Byline: MARK ZALOUDEK mark.zaloudek@heraldtribune.com In more recent years, exhibitions of his artwork on his "Chronic Survival Tour" nationwide helped raise awareness and money for fighting lung cancer during his five-year battle with...

Fountain of youth.
December 31, 2008... Byline: Heather Dunhill She's still a beauty. If there's anyone who can skillfully write about the secrets of the Fountain of Youth, it's Moore, who will celebrate her 80th birthday next month in Malibu with a host of ...

NEW YEAR'S DAY BRUNCH.
December 31, 2008... Byline: LEE McCALL CORRESPONDENT "Actually it was in 2002, after 9/11, that the party grew to about 75 people. No one wanted to leave town. Now, it's friends from so many aspects of our family life. Between volunteer work, our three...

Simply lovely at Lavanda.
December 31, 2008... Byline: JACK D. WINNER CORRESPONDENT The guiding principle for food at Lavanda is simplicity. One notes a general impulse to avoid overly fussing with dishes. This is not to say that the kitchen avoids sauces and dressings, but it keeps...

A little culinary good luck.(Recipe)
December 31, 2008... Byline: Linda Brandt The symbolism feeds the psyche, but the nutritional value of some of these foods could actually result in health and therefore good fortune. A cup of black-eyed peas contains 11 grams of fiber, 13 of protein...

CLARIFICATION.(Correction notice)
December 31, 2008... * An article in Sunday's Arts section incorrectly indicated that Narsad had changed its name to Sunshine from Darkness. Sunshine from Darkness is the name of an event previously operated by volunteers on behalf of Narsad, which continues to...

Palmetto wins semi at buzzer LONG SHOTS: The Tigers relied on 3-pointers all night long, and got a big one at the end.
December 31, 2008... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT It ended a furious rally by the Mustangs, who were down 14 at halftime and faced their largest deficit when they trailed 52-37 with 2:06 remaining in the third quarter. Lakewood Ranch took its only...

Free agents may leave gaping holes ON THE MARKET: Several key position players could take the money and run.
December 31, 2008... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com It's a no-brainer that they need to re-sign wide receiver Antonio Bryant and safety Jermaine Phillips. From there, the strategy becomes, let the rest of the free agents, like wide...

Canadiens get past Bolts in shootout STREAK OVER: With the loss, the Lightning have a three-game winning streak snapped.
December 31, 2008... In the shootout, both teams made good on the first shot. Montreal's Carey Price stopped Vinny Prospal and Vinny Lecavalier after Jussi Jokinen connected. Alex Kovalev and Maxim Lapierre converted for Montreal (21-9-6). The Canadiens...

Mooney cruises into title game BIG DAY: Cougars will face Lake Wales, while BCS battles Bayshore for 3rd.
December 31, 2008... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT Bradenton Christian will play Bayshore today at 4 in the third-place game, while Port Charlotte and Braden River will meet at 12:20 p.m. for fifth place. Saint Stephen's will go against Lecanto Seven...

Blazers drop close one Last-second shot by South Broward is difference.
December 31, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT Sarasota Christian (6-4) missed six straight free throws down the stretch and both squads missed a whopping 30 foul shots as South Broward (4-7) rallied to defeat the Blazers, 59-57. All the Blazers...

Rams make history Win in championship game is coach Ward's 400th.
December 31, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT It was the Rams' final tournament on their home floor before a new gym opens for next season. Riverview players knew that if they could get into the tournament finals with two losses or less on the...

Riverview, Boca Ciega claim titles.
December 30, 2008... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT Riverview, on the other hand, had its way for the most part in disposing of Sarasota High 36-23, in the Sunrise Division final Monday night at Buzz Narbut Gymnasium. Southeast (14-2) had its weaknesses...

THE HEALING BEGINS Williams, Bucs set sights on training camp.
December 30, 2008... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com He says he has no intention of retiring. In fact, he's optimistic because X-rays revealed this tear was further away from the bone, making it easier to heal. "If it's the way it was...

Tournament opens with four runaways.
December 30, 2008... Byline: BRIAN NEWBERRY CORRESPONDENT Bradenton Christian, Palmetto, Braden River and Lakewood Ranch each advanced to today's semifinals. Palmetto defeated Southeast 75-49, Braden River took care of Bayshore 55-37, Lakewood Ranch handled...

Not much drama in 1st round games.
December 30, 2008... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT Today's semifinals pit Bayshore vs. Lake Wales at 12:20 p.m. and Bradenton Christian vs. Mooney at 2:20 p.m. Consolation games at 9 and 10:40 this morning will feature Port Charlotte vs. Saint...

Haile girls finish undefeated Storm, disqualified last season, perfect on second chance.(Kid Profile)
December 30, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT Haile was disqualified from the playoffs after it was found that one of its players, a transfer student, had violated a conduct rule at her previous school. "It made us not take any game for granted,"...

Sarasota Christian falls in semis to Carol City.
December 30, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT Carol City went on to beat the Blazers 65-45, earning a spot in the tournament finals against Riverview High. Junior Cederick Johnson was a one-man wrecking crew for the Chiefs in the first half,...

Riverview advances to championship game.
December 30, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT By CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT "You have to match your opponent's intensity no matter who you're playing, and our guys are getting better," said Riverview coach Jim Ward, who is one win away from 400 career...

In this business, just existing is a gamble LEGAL? Local parlors that offer sweepstakes games are walking a fine line.
December 30, 2008... Byline: HALLE STOCKTON halle.stockton@heraldtribune.com In 2006, Sarasota and Manatee authorities cracked down on the parlors where people played penny slots for gift cards or coupons, citing a state law that prohibits gambling outside...

Unclean coal Spill shows that dirty byproduct needs more regulation.
December 30, 2008... Coal ash can contain arsenic, lead and other heavy metals. There are concerns that ash toxins could travel downstream, leach into ground water or get into people's lungs once the sludge dries. The Tennessee Valley Authority, a federally owned...

Two local Shells restaurants re-emerging as Stingray's Grill.
December 30, 2008... Byline: Toni Whitt Ken and Trish Keim, who had been with Shells for more than 16 years, will change the name of their restaurants to Stingray's Grill. Their restaurants are at 7253 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota and at 6260 Lake Osprey...

Citrus expert feels right at home.(CHAPTER 24)
December 30, 2008... Byline: STORY BY THOMAS BECNEL Bryant left the farm, but not the fields, or at least the orange groves. She earned bachelor's and master's degrees in agriculture at the University of Florida. She worked as a researcher at Tropicana...

BUSINESS BUZZ.
December 30, 2008... Michael L. Shannon has joined HEDJ Engineering in Sarasota as vice president. He has been practicing engineering in Southwest Florida since 1987 and has a "broad range of skills relating to design, permitting and construction of...

Priest accused of misconduct.
December 30, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT No specifics were given about the child's age or gender. "Father Joseph denies the allegation and strenuously maintains his innocence," the diocese said in a statement. Joseph, of St. Bernard Catholic Church...

AN E-MAIL AXAM TURNS UP LITTLE.
December 30, 2008... Byline: KIM HACKETT kim.hackett@heraldtribune.com Martin's attorney, Dale Scott, went through the files to determine which were public records and turned over two on Christmas Eve. The e-mails were about an accidental shooting at the...

Pregnancy leads to her new life.(SEASON OF SHARING)
December 30, 2008... Byline: JENNIFER SHEA CORRESPONDENT What began as recreational drug use quickly turned into substance abuse; Rivest left school. She "turned her life around," she said, when she discovered that she was pregnant. She moved into...

New Year's closings.
December 30, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT Sarasota County Area Transit will only have service on Route 18 on Longboat Key. Manatee County Area Transit will limit service to the Anna Maria Island trolley. Mail The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver...

Police seek man for questioning in battery.
December 30, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT They said he had shoulder-length, straight dark hair, no facial hair and no visible tattoos. He was last seen wearing black sweatpants with a white Nike logo, a black short-sleeve shirt, a blue baseball cap with...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
December 30, 2008... May 26, 1911 - Dec. 24, 2008 John Duffy, 97, Sarasota, formerly of Chicago, died Dec. 24, 2008. There will be a graveside service at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill., at a later date. Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral...

New Year's Day closings throughout region.
December 30, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT Sarasota County Area Transit will only serve Route 18 on Longboat Key. Manatee County Area Transit will run only the Anna Maria Island trolley. Mail The U.S. Postal Service will not deliver that day. ...

POLICE REPORT.
December 30, 2008... MANATEE COUNTY -- Sheriff's detectives on Monday identified Jeremiah Edland, 32, of the 4000 block of Gulf Drive North on Holmes Beach, as the man who committed suicide after shooting another man this weekend. The shooting victim, Chris...

OBITUARIES.
December 30, 2008... Dec. 17, 1927 - Dec. 24, 2008 Kathryn J. DeMichael, 81, of Bradenton since 1978, formerly of Detroit, died Dec. 24, 2008. There will be no visitation or services. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes and Crematory, 26th Street Chapel, is in...

Girl's gold project gets rid of invasives.
December 30, 2008... Taking on this large-scale, environmental service project will fulfill the requirements needed to obtain the highest award a girl can earn in Girl Scouting, while at the same time benefitting her school. The project first came about last...

Orange Festival draws a family-friendly crowd.
December 30, 2008... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Mandell, executive director of Defeat Diabetes Foundation recentlyarrived in Sarasota completing his 10,000-mile walk around the United States, promoting diabetes awareness. Speaking to the small...

OBITUARIES.
December 30, 2008... May 26, 1911 - Dec. 24, 2008 John Duffy, 97, Sarasota, formerly of Chicago, died Dec. 24, 2008. There will be a graveside service at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Hillside, Ill., at a later date. Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral...

Reveling in the holidays.
December 30, 2008... Did I mention who was seen huddling around the hot cocoa station? Dana and Susan Weinkle, Ashley Grant, Veronica and Jay Brady, Jephte Lamartiniere Paulby Cange, Terry and Michael Klauber, commissioner Joe Barbetta and his wife, Mary...

IN BRIEF.
December 29, 2008... A 31-year-old Bradenton man was shot Sunday and was in critical condition following an argument over a relationship with a woman, according to a Manatee County sheriff's report. Sheriff's detectives did not release the name of the...

OBITUARIES.
December 29, 2008... Feb. 4, 1935 - Dec. 26, 2008 Mrs. Melba A. Burton, 73, Hudson, N.H., formerly of Rotonda West and Nashua, N.H., died Dec. 26, 2008. Services will be private. She is survived by her son, Michael Burton, and his wife Pauline of...

OBITUARIES.
December 29, 2008... April 3, 1913 - Dec. 26, 2008 Margaret DeJongh, 95, Bradenton died Dec. 26, 2008. A celebration of life service will be at noon Tuesday at Griffith-Cline Funeral Home. Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Leon J. DeJongh;...

Albright and Gingrich set the pace for a top-notch Town Hall lineup.
December 29, 2008... Byline: Jeremy Wallace Albright, who in 1997 became the first woman to be named secretary of state, is scheduled to speak Jan. 14, first at 10:30 a.m. then at 7:30 p.m., at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Two weeks later on Jan. 28,...

OBITUARIES.
December 29, 2008... Dec. 22, 2008 Mrs. Josephine Vera Dattoli, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., died Dec. 22, 2008. Services have been held. Survivors include her daughters Dawn Jacobs and her husband, Alan, of Poughkeepsie and Lynn Blair and her husband, Earl,...

A shooting and then a suicide.
December 29, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT Sharts was hospitalized after being shot once in the upper body at about 10:45 a.m., a sheriff's report states. The report says the shooting occurred when Sharts stopped by to talk to his former girlfriend and...

Is it time to jump in the market? Or is waiting a better idea?
December 29, 2008... Byline: Dr. Robert Stepleman In other words, should investors jump at the chance to invest now or wait until the economic storm clouds begin to clear and the market perhaps begins a sustained rally after another sharp decline?...

THE BUZZ.(Circus review)
December 29, 2008... The guide was designed much like a typical "urban trail" map offered in many cities, but focuses exclusively on the circus and its whimsical imprint on the county's development. The full-color guide is detailed with photos, circus...

GOOD DEEDS.
December 29, 2008... Morton's Gourmet Market in Sarasota donated $845 to All Faiths Food Bank of Sarasota. The funds were raised at the market's annual Holiday Affair held Nov. 13. Trident Building Systems in Sarasota and its staff have been collecting...

Banking landscape will change next year.(Bauer Bank Ratings available on microfilm or pdf)
December 29, 2008... Byline: JOHN HIELSCHER john.hielscher@heraldtribune.com Twenty-five banks have collapsed this year, the most since 50 went under in 1993. Banking regulators shuttered 12 in the fourth quarter, an average of one per week and nearly half...

GRAND OPENINGS.
December 29, 2008... The company is led by Roy Guilbault and is administered by Suzanne Sickmiller, president, and Diane Harris, vice president. Trigon specializes in providing refrigerant and refrigerant management solutions. "Trigon offers free pickup and...

Doctor joins board on maopractice risk.
December 29, 2008... Byline: John Hielscher Physicians Indemnity is owned by its policyholders with reinsurance from Lloyd's of London. Holcomb is the immediate past president of the Florida Society of Facial Plastic Surgeons and is the 2009 president of...

More bankruptcies expected in 2009 They doubled in 2008, and at least one analyst thinks they could again.(Info box available on microfilm or pdf)
December 29, 2008... Byline: MICHAEL BRAGA michael.braga@heraldtribune.com At the same time, Chapter 11 filings, in which companies attempt to relieve their debts through reorganization, rose to 221, a 108 percent increase from the 106 filings in 2007. ...

REAL ESTATE PEOPLE.
December 29, 2008... Kim Stephens, a sales associate at Re/Max Alliance Group, has achieved membership in the Re/Max 100% Club. The award is based on sales production for the year. Signature Sotheby's International Realty in Sarasota recently participated in...

REAL ESTATE DEALS.
December 29, 2008... Dr. Miguel Alvarez of Lakewood Ranch Pediatrics bought 2,324 square feet at the Professional Center at Lakewood Ranch from Professional Center at Lakewood Ranch LLC for $627,480. Lily Behrends of Interstate Commercial Brokers LLC represented...

Housing industries at bottom.
December 29, 2008... Byline: Aaron Kessler Sageworks released its list of the bottom 35 industries by sales growth from December 2007 to December 2008. Twenty out of the 35 industries actually experienced zero to negative sales growth, while the...

Executive is given more real estate Coldwell Banker's local leader brings knack for numbers to bigger job.
December 29, 2008... Byline: TOM BAYLES tom.bayles@heraldtribune.com "I'm passionate about our business and I don't stop: I just keep on keeping on," Wolverton said. "I don't think anyone has any limits when trying to do the best job they can." ...

NEWS OF RECORD.
December 29, 2008... Sarasota Cavco Properties LLC and Insignia Bank, $123,000, 2008162401, Unit 4, 333 W Miami Ave., Venice. RJJing Invest LLC and Wachovia Bank, $500,000, 2008162511, Partial Lot 2, Block D, Desoto Acres. 525 Bird Key LLC and...

Buccaneers just flat-out choked.
December 29, 2008... Byline: Doug Fernandes In the finest tradition of the '64 Philadelphia Phillies, the '86 Boston Red Sox, the '92 Houston Oilers, Jean Van de Velde in the '99 British Open, the '04 New York Yankees and assorted American Idol wannabes, we...

BUCCANEER COLLAPSE COMPLETE Tampa Bay goes 0-4 in December, punctuated with loss to Oakland in finale.
December 29, 2008... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com Failing to make the playoffs after a 9-3 start, Tampa Bay finished 9-7 for a second straight year, eliminated in a manner that could have ramifications on the team's future. "Sitting at...

NOTEBOOK.
December 29, 2008... * When K Matt Bryant kicked a 29-yard field goal in the fourth quarter, he passed K Martin Gramatica for most points in one season. Bryant's 131 points are three more than Gramatica in 2002. * With 77 receiving yards, WR Antonio Bryant...