Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from February 2002

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from February 2002

MARRIAGES.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... MARRIAGES MANATEE COUNTY JAN. 16-22 Alawine, Robert Clay and Paula Jan Hindle. Allen, James Lee and Amy Katharine Smith. Arellano, J. Ascencion and Ofelia Pastrana Garcia. Augustin, Hyppolite and Maria Lucia Gabriel....

Man carries victim to safety.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: ROBERT ECKHART robert.eckhart@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- 911 operators cautioned Vito Tucciarone against going into the burning house next door to rescue his neighbor. Tucciarone, a 56-year-old auto mechanic, didn't listen....

Author will sign her new book Saturday.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: STAFF REPORT PUNTA GORDA -- A book signing is scheduled for Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Salty Paws in Fishermen's Village, 1200 Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. Author Mary Ereth will sign her latest book, titled "New Leash on...

Government holds the winning hand when it comes to legal gambling.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Rod Thomson It was about 1986, and I was working a Saturday at the Quad-City Times newspaper in Davenport, Iowa. A reporter and friend was making extensive copies of some legislation. When I asked what it was about, he whispered...

Microsoft sues software firm in Sarasota.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: KELLY CRAMER kelly.cramer@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Microsoft filed a lawsuit Thursday against Chandler Technologies Inc., charging the local company with distributing counterfeit software for Windows and Office programs. ...

Journalist's journey to 'Kandahar' an intriguing and mysterious trek.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: JOEL WELIN joel.welin@heraldtribune.com Editor's note: Reprinted from Jan. 18 coverage of the Sarasota Film Festival. On a frantic journey to the title city to prevent her sister's suicide, Canadian journalist Nafas (Nelofer...

LETTERS FROM OUR READERS.(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... A chain of Protestants With such easy targets as Enron, one shouldn't be picking at a story that goes back hundreds of years, but in the Jan. 29 letter "Episcopalians not Protestants," the writer seems to miss his point. The purpose of his...

They're on a roll; A once-small sub shop piles on franchises.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: LAUREN MAYK lauren.mayk@heraldtribune.com ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Tuesday, February 5, 2002: Because of a reporter's error, the location of the offices for Obee's sub shop was misidentified...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... This information is gathered from police and Sheriff's Office reports filed through Jan. 31. SARASOTA N. Tamiami Trail, 300 block, 2:15 a.m. Jan. 31. Window of pickup forced open in parking lot of Sarasota Quay. Purse reported stolen....

GAO could unbalance power.(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... The General Accounting Office did not exist until the Nixon presidency and was created by Congress because of some now well-known crimes. It also enabled a long-term attack on the executive branch by the legislative branch to gain more control...

'Wolf' an entertaining but howlingly unsubtle knockoff.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: GEORGE MEYER CORRESPONDENT In France, American films sell more tickets than French films. And if we ever thought French filmmakers weren't wearily jealous of this fact, we have "Brotherhood of the Wolf" to prove it. French...

Warsaw Philharmonic to perform.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA -- The Warsaw Philharmonic comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall this evening with a program that will include works by Chopin and Tchaikovsky. Founded in 1901, the philharmonic is Poland's premier...

Stage Door offers a new menu, dinner with a spin.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com PORT CHARLOTTE -- Sometimes it's not the food that makes a restaurant different or memorable. The taste of a dish may fade long before the memory of an extraordinary view,...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... VITA program offers assistance on taxes VENICE -- IRS-VITA will offer free tax assistance to low- and medium-income taxpayers of any age. The group's Venice location is at 210 S. Nassau St., a building adjacent to the First Baptist...

Death penalty protest; Supporters, opponents demonstrate at justice center.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: MORGHAN MARTELL morghan.martell@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- As death penalty opponents sang "We are a gentle, angry people" outside the new justice center Thursday, supporters chanted "Death penalty stays." The death...

Opportunistic 'Noles win; Southeast takes advantage of Palmetto's leading scorer being ejected in first half.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- The Palmetto High boys soccer team created its own problems, and host Southeast was opportunistic in earning a 2-1 victory Thursday night to capture the Class 2A-District 11 championship. ...

Stop the gambling camel.(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... Regarding the letter on Wednesday titled "Gambling enhances tourism": There are no benefits to legalized gambling that outweigh the negative social factors. As much money as Las Vegas generates, it still cannot cope with its homeless or...

Pianist's skilled playing takes charge of orchestra.(B SECTION)(Art Beat)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Naomi Donson A whirlwind of music swept through town Monday night, when pianist Andreas Klein, a luminary of international stages, appeared as soloist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra. It was not always an even match. ...

Harris praised as 'heroine'; A conservative forum gives the congressional candidate a warm welcome.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: CORY REISS WASHINGTON BUREAU WASHINGTON -- Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris strode into a gathering of conservatives Thursday to the theme song from "Wonder Woman" and a standing ovation. The annual Conservative...

The Enron-Florida link; Legislators need to probe deeply into pension-fund losses.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
February 1, 2002... Rep. Mark Flanagan, R-Bradenton, and others in Tallahassee cite the Enron debacle as an example of why state employees should be able to choose where to invest their retirement money. Florida's retirement-fund policies do warrant scrutiny,...

Educational editing; Governor's staff can change a report but not the record.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
February 1, 2002... ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Monday, February 4, 2002: Sarasota County will conduct a referendum March 19 on a proposed property tax increase for education funding. An editorial Friday inaccurately...

Road rage leads to pileup.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: TIMOTHY O'HARA tim.ohara@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Ernest Anderson, 80, pulled out of a convenience store on State Road 64, cutting off a green BMW. It's the kind of thing that gets some drivers screaming and may even...

Judge will rule in old murder case; She must decide whether David Kyle Gilley, now 35, should be tried as an adult in the 1984 death.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: HOWARD M. UNGER howard.unger@heraldtribune.com MURFREESBORO, Tenn. -- David Kyle Gilley admitted that he killed his ex-girlfriend, then threatened to kill the teen-ager he confessed it to, according to court testimony Thursday. ...

TAKE A BOW.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Sept. 11 benefit "United As One, Artists Reaching Out," a benefit held Oct. 15 at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall for the Sept. 11th Fund, raised more than $23,000. All funds raised at the event will be sent to New York. Publix...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2002... Coast Bank announces four promotions Bradenton's Coast Bank announced a series of promotions: Marguerite Knopka is senior vice president and chief information officer; Andi Franco is vice president and branch administrator; Russell...

TAKE A BOW.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... New officers New officers of the South Venice Yacht Club are Robert Ruhl, commodore; Nicholas Diana, vice commodore; Frank Pagliaro, rear commodore; Laura Hesher, secretary; Herbert Bryant, treasurer; and directors, Alan Cole, Robin...

Covered face hardly a form of ID.(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... Regarding the woman suing Florida after her driver's license was suspended because her face didn't show in the picture: There is a fine line between democracy and anarchy, and in my humble opinion that line has been crossed by Sultaana...

Festival aims for Joycean celebration.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- It makes perfect sense that retired English professor Joan Saunders is organizing this weekend's celebration of author James Joyce. After all, she's read his...

Sylver lifts Tarpons to win.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com MURDOCK -- Terrance Sylver always has given the Charlotte High boys basketball team a lift off the bench. Thursday night, his contribution came in the form of points. ...

Dylan brings it all back home to roots.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: PHILIP BOOTH CORRESPONDENT TAMPA -- "Things Have Changed" was the song, from the "Wonder Boys" soundtrack, that landed Bob Dylan Oscar and Golden Globe awards last year. The tune's title was oddly appropriate for the iconic...

Homeless dinners just at Gillespie?(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... The residents of Gillespie Park have recently been criticized for their objections to the free dinner for the homeless given every Sunday. I think I can speak for many of our residents who are more than sympathetic to the plight of these...

Bradenton's Taylor makes the climb up the ATP ladder.(SPORTS)(TENNIS)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: MIC HUBER There have been several instances where a player arrives on the professional tennis scene like a shooting star, makes an immediate impact and instantly carves out a reputation. In reality, the process is normally...

In late '60s, Palmetto's Lincoln in class by itself.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: CHRIS ANDERSON chris.anderson@heraldtribune.com There were three offensive teams and three defensive teams at Palmetto's Lincoln High School in the 1960s. The unit that practiced the best during the week played on Friday night. ...

Mending minds and spirits through research.(B SECTION)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Yvette Kimm The National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia and Depression (NARSAD) is the largest nonprofit charitable organization that raises and distributing funds for psychiatric research. "NARSAD is involved with...

Mustangs' title bid foiled by Durant.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: BRIAN NEWBERRY CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- Lakewood Ranch left its own field Thursday night with the wrong trophy. Bidding for its first district title, the Mustangs finished as district runners-up for the second time in the...

County needs new impact fees.(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Readers' Responses Below are excerpts of responses to our recent request for comments about a proposal to impose impact fees on new homes in Manatee County to help pay for school construction. Additional comments (of no more...

Circus Sarasota begins fourth year with high style.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: DOROTHY STOCKBRIDGE-PRATT dorothy.pratt@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Circus Sarasota, opening its fourth season tonight, is reaching for the heights. Aerialist Dolly Jacobs, recovered from back surgery, returns with her...

Anklegate ends as expected.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Doug Fernandes NEW ORLEANS -- We looked for some tell-tale sign. A limp, perhaps. A teeny weeny stumble on the carpet. There was none. OK, so Tom Brady didn't leap up onto the rosturn at the Fairmont Hotel on Thursday. He...

County to inspect tree clearing; Neighbors say Ancient Oaks' owner is breaking the tree law. He says he's cut only permitted trees.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: ALEX NEWBERRY alex.newberry@heraldtribune.com PARRISH -- A developer stopped clearing land for the second time in three months after neighbors complained that the company was taking down too many trees. Manatee County Planning...

Sarasota, Riverview to battle for title yet again; Sarasota blanks Venice 4-0, and Riverview shuts down Manatee 2-0, to set up classic battle.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Once again, Sarasota and Riverview will battle for the district title. Riverview's Chelsey Edwards overcame a first-half injury to score two second-half goals as the Lady...

Chris-Craft has the backing to venture into 'blue water'.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: RICH SHOPES rich.shopes@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Chris-Craft has landed a financing deal to help speed production of its new class of high-end yachts. The boatmaker in southern Manatee County has secured a revolving...

'Slackers' offers major moviegoing lull.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: GEORGE MEYER CORRESPONDENT Remember the manic humor of "Rushmore"? Well, Jason Schwartzman, star of that much-discussed movie, wants to re-create the same off-kilter intensity in "Slackers." Only, he's the only one in on...

American Stage offers Shaw's romantic 'Candida'.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- George Bernard Shaw hardly is known as a romantic writer, but he created something of a love letter in his 1896 comedy "Candida." "It's the one time that Shaw...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Man gets 40 years for three robberies SARASOTA -- A Sarasota man accused of robbing three north Sarasota businesses within only a few weeks was sentenced to serve 40 years in prison Thursday. Darrish C. Johnson, 20, was convicted of...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2002... MANATEE COUNTY Henry Anderson Jr. Henry Anderson Jr., 72, Palmetto, died Jan. 29, 2002. He was born May 5, 1929, in Ellenton and was a lifelong resident. He retired as a construction laborer. He was a Mason. He was a member of...

BREAKING THROUGH; A young black man's groundbreaking path from the migrant field to the football field.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: CHRIS ANDERSON chris.anderson@heraldtribune.com Ray Bellamy was not going back to those fields. He would join the Army and fight in Vietnam, but he would not go back. He was willing to die instead. Bellamy grew up a migrant...

Music of a nation and the counties visits Sarasota County Fairgrounds.(TICKET)(The Noise Ordinance)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Dawn E. Scire Not just for Scots, Saturday's ninth annual Scottish Highland Games & Heritage Festival offers myriad musical options amid the clans, competitive gaming, sheepdog demos and historical re-enactments. There'll be...

Educators seek joint approach.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: COURTNEY CAIRNS PASTOR courtney.pastor@heraldtribune.com Statewide budget cuts this year and expected shortfalls next year have Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte school districts seeking other sources for money. Sarasota County...

Bank extension gives Comdial more time to pay off its debt.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: MICHAEL BRAGA michael.braga@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Comdial Corp. got another break Thursday when Bank of America agreed to give the company more time to meet the terms of its $23.5 million debt. The...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2002... SARASOTA COUNTY Kathryn N. Albee Kathryn N. Albee, 92, Sarasota, died Jan. 29, 2002. She was born July 22, 1909, in MacDougall, N.Y., and came to Sarasota in 1960 from Roscoe, N.Y. She was a registered nurse and graduated from...

In terms of price, service and speed, AOL has gone AWOL.(BUSINESS)(Sand & Silicon)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Dwayne Fatherree I used to wonder why people use America Online for Internet access. Three years ago, its easy setup, lowest-common-denominator user interface and ubiquitous presence made up for its limited capabilities, crowded...

Six area companies make state top 100 list.(BUSINESS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: RICH SHOPES rich.shopes@heraldtribune.com Six Southwest Florida companies made the list of the state's 100 fastest-growing private businesses compiled by the University of Florida's Fisher School of Accounting. One, Sarasota's...

Mandy Patinkin returns, and he's grateful for the opportunity.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Mandy Patinkin is trying to make up for lost time with his current concert tour. "I've been off the circuit for two years and I wanted to get back in," Patinkin said...

Out-of-state Republicans send Harris campaign funds.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: CORY REISS WASHINGTON BUREAU WASHINGTON -- From her living room in Austin, Texas, Karen Etlinger watched the 2000 election drama unfold and cheered Florida Secretary of State Katherine Harris for decisions that favored George W....

'Wolf' has plenty of bite.(TICKET)(Primal Screen)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Bill Kelley The scathing review in Jane Horwitz's syndicated Family Filmgoer column describes "The Brotherhood of the Wolf" as a "pretentious, gory French costume drama (that) blends horror with martial arts in fact-based legend...

For Andruzzi, the Big Game is still just a game.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: DOUG FERNANDES doug.fernandes@heraldtribune.com NEW ORLEANS -- It's Super Bowl week. Everyone has a story to tell. Joe Andruzzi's stands alone. It's not about football. Andruzzi signed with the Patriots in 2000 after three...

'Myths' depicts the fantastical (and very fragile) art of Statom.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: NATASHA GERHART CORRESPONDENT TAMPA -- Throwing stones in glass houses is generally considered taboo, but building houses made of glass is another matter. Therman Statom builds glass houses... literal towers, ladders, walls...

Commission keeps basics of plan intact; Members will make revisions and vote on the plan Monday; it must also undergo state review.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: DALE WHITE and EARLE KIMEL STAFF WRITERS SARASOTA COUNTY -- The county commissioners are forging ahead with a proposed growth management plan that they say is in the community's long-range best interest, knowing that it is likely...

Two musicians take new path.(TICKET)(Admit One)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Joel Welin Guitarist Dominic Gaudious and pianist Jeffrey Michael are working musicians who've discovered another way to have hundreds, if not thousands, of people hear their music daily. And in the music business, exposure is...

Peace coalition calls for end to America's war on terrorism.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: LAWRENCE WISE lawrence.wise@heraldtribune.com SOUTH VENICE -- It wasn't a 1960s-style peace and love demonstration, but the 30 or so residents who attended a forum Thursday called for an end to the war on terrorism. People do...

The 'Rockin' Travis' is the real Travis Tritt.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: STEVE WEBB CORRESPONDENT TAMPA -- It fits that the 2002 edition of the Florida State Fair would open with a ceremonial coin toss. Thursday's headliner, '90s country star Travis Tritt, is at a crossroads, as indicated by a...

Mark your calendars, 'Fishing Extravaganza' is coming soon.(B SECTION)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: 1By STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com Charlotte Countians might want to circle Feb. 10 on their calendars. That's when Go Fish!, the Herald-Tribune's Fishing Extravaganza is scheduled. Port Charlotte guide Dan...

[0] Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
February 1, 2002... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Ruth J. Amoroso Ruth J. Amoroso, 72, Port Charlotte, died Jan. 29, 2002. She was born Nov. 24, 1929, in Brooklyn, N.Y., and came to the Port Charlotte area 17 years ago from Jacksonville. She was a homemaker. She...

Super pigskin parties abound.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: MARY AWOSIKA mary.awosika@heraldtribune.com It's been a year since the last Super Bowl showdown, but this time around, the mania is a thousand miles away. Rather than traveling to Tampa like last year, many Southwest...

High school musicals and the third National Art Exhibit open.(B SECTION)(Community Culture)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Linda Fudala This is a weekend for art and music. Two high schools open their musicals and the Charlotte County Art Guild holds its third National Art Exhibit. For a performance to remember, take the time to see one or both of...

4-H fund-raiser brings lots of laughs.(B SECTION)(In the Loop)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Ann Henderson Palm trees swayed on the sandy beach of the Port Charlotte Beach Complex, as more than 150 4-H members and supporters enjoyed a fabulous pig roast and games at the annual 4-H Tropical Celebration fund-raiser. The...

Courthouse is indeed historic.(A SECTION)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2002... Before moving to Charlotte County, I lived in DeSoto County for 12 years. In 1995, I coordinated an oral history program, funded by the Florida Humanities Council, to document the history of DeSoto County before 1921 by holding discussions in...

Arts and culture to be showcased in North Port.(B SECTION)(South County Arts)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Chris Coviello The Arts and Culture Alliance will hold its annual "Showcase: on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will spotlight entertainment by organizations and individuals from Osprey to Boca Grande. The event...

Museum's 3-ring circus of exhibits.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: NATASHA GERHART CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Ladies and gentlemen, and children of all ages, step right up to see the latest exhibitions -- opening Saturday and continuing through May 12 -- at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of...

Our Community.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... ArtSensation offers creative activities PUNTA GORDA -- Youngsters are invited to participate in creative activities from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 9 in the Kids' Art Tent at ArtSensation. ArtSensation is an all-day arts festival sponsored...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... This information is from police and sheriff's office reports filed through Jan. 31. PUNTA GORDA Lime Drive, 15000 block. 8:35 a.m. Jan. 29. Motor home stolen. ENGLEWOOD Bay Park Blvd., 500 block, 1 p.m. Jan. 29. Door pried...

Teen gets 20 years in fatal rock prank; The judge says Jesus Dominguez's remorse was outweighed by his fleeing after the crime.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: HOWARD M. UNGER howard.unger@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Jesus Dominguez, convicted of second degree murder in a rock- throwing death, was sentenced to 20 1/2 years in prison on Thursday. He received nearly one year for...

A belated 'Birthday' from Nicole Kidman.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: GEORGE MEYER CORRESPONDENT It's easy to blame the shortcomings of "Birthday Girl" on newly anointed superstar and current media favorite Nicole Kidman. Except that she also makes for everything that's really good about the...

Not guilty plea entered in illegal copter sales.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: MORGHAN MARTELL morghan.martell@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- A former sheriff's captain pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he illegally traded or sold three government surplus helicopters. Robert Carr entered his plea...

Punta Gorda City Council election issues better suited to civic association.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Eric Ernst They did say finger docks, not finger foods. Even so, in Punta Gorda, sometimes it's hard to distinguish the City Council from a civic association board of directors. The biggest difference might be that the City...

Senate passes sales tax overhaul; However, it faces a tough road in the House.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: GARY FINEOUT CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- Just two weeks into the session, the Florida Senate on Thursday overwhelmingly passed a major tax overhaul, but the plan faces significant opposition in the House and growing skepticism...

Venice beats Rams on final shot.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: STAFF REPORT Dan Maitland's tip-in at the buzzer Thursday night gave visting Venice a thrilling 59-57 win over Riverview in a district game. It was the first time in three years the Indians defeated the Rams, and both of the...

[0] Our Community.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Area schools receive two state grants MANATEE COUNTY -- Two state grants will help Manatee County students improve their academic skills. A $67,500 grant will go to the Balanced Reading Initiative in the elementary schools. Balanced...

Murphy sparks Saint Stephen's.(SPORTS)
February 1, 2002... Byline: STAFF REPORT Meghan Murphy had 12 points and nine steals as Saint Stephen's closed out its regular season with a 45-24 victory over the Manatee H.E.A.T. on Thursday afternoon. Saint Stephen's, which starts three sophomores and...

The future of Rossi Park.(A SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Bradenton officials are reviewing plans to renovate Rossi Park and add a fountain and amphitheatre, among other things. What do you think? Does the park need an upgrade? What would you like to see there? Tell us your thoughts,...

Copperfield opens new doors with 'Portal'.(TICKET)
February 1, 2002... Byline: HELENA FINNEGAN CORRESPONDENT FORT MYERS -- David Copperfield has been described as the world's foremost illusionist. His theatrical flourish has had him making the Statue of Liberty disappear before a TV audience, walking...

Spending hot issue at forum debate; Punta Gorda City Council candidates Bob Shedd and Tom Poole square off.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: KEVIN VALINE kevin.valine@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Six million dollars and several wisecracks separated City Councilman Bob Shedd and challenger Tom Poole at a Wednesday candidates' forum. Shedd said he supports the...

Neglect results in probation.(B SECTION)
February 1, 2002... Byline: MORGHAN MARTELL morghan.martell@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- A former health care administrator was sentenced to probation for elderly neglect Thursday after an 89-year-old man with a broken hip was left on her facility's floor...

Fishing extravaganza set Feb. 10 at Robarts Arena.(SPORTS)(Outdoors)(Column)
February 1, 2002... Byline: Steve Gibson The Herald-Tribune is going fishing. The newspaper has lined up an impressive array of fishing talent as a highlight to its annual Sarasota Boat Sale. Go Fish!, the Herald-Tribune's Fishing Extravaganza, is...