Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from January 2005

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from January 2005

Ex-Dems chief charged; Punta Gorda businessman Vernon Peeples Jr. is arrested in drug raid.(A SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Police arrested prominent businessman and community leader Vernon Elmo Peeples Jr. on Thursday night on marijuana distribution charges following a raid at his...

Charlotte gets a chance to chart a new course in growth.(A SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: PATRICK WHITTLE patrick.whittle@heraldtribune.com CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- The next 12 months will bring unprecedented change to Charlotte County's economic climate and housing makeup. It will come in the form of private investment,...

FROM YOUR READER ADVOCATE.(A SECTION)(Column)
January 1, 2005... I received a belated Christmas gift this week: a relatively quiet shift as the reader advocate. Because of the holidays, there were far fewer calls coming in this week than during my last stint nearly three years ago. The calls I did...

Recovery and revitalization; Charlotte must continue learning about the two R's.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... The year ahead will see several vital decisions made in Charlotte County as the area recovers from Hurricane Charley and moves ahead with some important projects. If all goes as planned, Charlotte County will complete the acquisition of...

Best-laid plans; Time for Sarasota County, cities to refocus.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... Water will be back on the table in Sarasota County in 2005. Not so long ago, local governments assured the public that water supplies could accommodate population growth. But, recently, such confidence has begun to evaporate. It now...

A new sphere in a new year.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... Byline: Barbara Peters Smith 'In a world without heaven to follow," wrote my main man, the poet Wallace Stevens, "the stops would be endings, the partings more poignant, profounder." I think we too often treat our lives as if this...

UF's loss to 'Canes had familiar look.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Byline: MIC HUBER Miami beat Florida again. No big deal. It happens all the time. The 'Canes expected to win Friday night's Peach Bowl, and the Gators got what almost everyone expected. But now that the New Year has arrived,...

Mystery of the week: Griese or Simms at QB?(SPORTS)
January 1, 2005... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com TAMPA -- With nothing else to draw attention to a season finale between two 5-10 teams, Tampa Bay Bucs head coach Jon Gruden has created suspense by deciding to wait until Sunday to announce...

Seminoles hope to end season on a high note.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2005... Byline: CHRIS MILTON CORRESPONDENT JACKSONVILLE -- Florida State and West Virginia will tangle in today's Gator Bowl, each hoping to culminate dissapointing seasons with a quality win. Both the No. 13 Seminoles (8-3) and the 24th-ranked...

Big-play Hurricanes too tough for Gators.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2005... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT ATLANTA -- It was supposed to be a special night for seniors, but Miami sophomore Devin Hester played as if it was his final collegiate game in leading the 'Canes to a 27-10 victory over Florida in the Peach...

Mantas claim tourney.(SPORTS)
January 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT FORT PIERCE -- The Lemon Bay High girls basketball team won three straight games over a three-day span to capture the Treasure Coast Holiday Classic. Sophomore guard Molly Ernst hit four 3-point shots, including...

Investors cheer realignment of Speedcom board.(BUSINESS)
January 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Speedcom Wireless Corp., a company that has been working to prepare itself for sale as a shell corporation or some other similar deal, said that it has completed a realignment of its board of...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
January 1, 2005... Chamber schedules Business Connections The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce will have its next Business Connections from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Jan. 13 at The Hyatt Sarasota, 1000 Boulevard of the Arts. The event will include...

Couple drop regular lives for Big Hike.(PLAY!)(Go!)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL PUNTA GORDA -- John and Dawn Cicanese walked away from it all. They quit their jobs. They closed up their house. They set out for Mount Katahdin, Maine, and hiked the Appalachian Trail. Six months. Fourteen...

Woman critically injured in wreck.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- A North Port woman was critically injured Friday morning in a three-vehicle wreck at U.S. 41 and North Toledo Blade, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Authorities say Amy M. Hammell, 23, was...

Programs for parents, preschoolers available.(B SECTION)(Englewood Scene)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Lonsdale I know your winter break is winding down and the last thing you want to think about is doing some extra reading. Still, is one book too much to ask? The Teen Reading and Meeting Club will tackle "The Thief...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Hospital names its employee of the month Bonnie Recine was nominated as employee of the month for October at Englewood Community Hospital. Recine, who moved to Florida with her family in November 1999, has worked at ECH for five years....

Beaujolais Uncorked wine and food festival transforms Sullivan Street.(B SECTION)(In the Loop)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Byline: Ann Henderson Normally, Sullivan Street in Punta Gorda is a quiet, historical street where people stroll the shops and perhaps have lunch at The Perfect Caper. But the night of the Beaujolais Uncorked wine and food tasting...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 1, 2005... (Charlotte County published no obituaries on this date.)

North Port official says work fixed city's mistakes; Inspectors should have made builders or landowners fix swales and culverts, the public works director says.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: ERIN BRYCE erin.bryce@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- The city might not have spent public money to improve culverts and swales on private property had inspectors done their jobs, a city official said Thursday. The city's...

'Laverne & Shirley' actor comes to North Port.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: KIM HACKETT kim.hackett@heraldtribune.com Eddie Mekka, best known as Carmine Ragusa from the TV show "Laverne & Shirley," will bring his musical and comedy act to the North Port Performing Arts Center Sunday and Monday, along with...

Field trip becomes ordeal; A day at the movies turns into an adventure after one of their two buses is stolen.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: ERIN BRYCE erin.bryce@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- It was supposed to be a fun field trip. More than 60 children in a holiday camp at Ellen Meade Studios were going to see a movie Thursday. But the trip turned out to...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Manatee County Habitat for Humanity is an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International. They are nonprofit, ecumenical, Christian, volunteer-based organizations dedicated to building simple, low-cost homes. Habitat forms working...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 1, 2005... MANATEE COUNTY Helen L. Gushman Helen L. Gushman, 90, Bradenton, died Dec. 28, 2004. She was born April 18, 1914, in New York and came to Bradenton in 2000 from Naples and Lancaster, Ohio. She was a member of the Presbyterian...

Resolutions redux; Manatee faces many of the same challenges.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
January 1, 2005... The to-do list for public officials in Manatee County and its cities is looking a bit tattered. It's pretty much the same list it's been for years, with a few items scratched out and a few scribbled in. But that's not to say life here is...

Sarasota police turn down D.C. invitation.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE jeremy.wallace@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Sarasota police are saying "no thanks" to an invitation to provide security later this month for President George W. Bush's second inaugural celebration. Washington,...

State eyes way counties use fuel taxes.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: JOE FOLLICK TALLAHASSEE BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- State auditors have rapped 10 Florida counties, including Sarasota and Polk, for "questionable" use of local fuel taxes. The report released last week by the Florida Auditor...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Club donates school supplies The Driftwood Circle of the Sarasota Garden Club recently donated school supplies to Every Child Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children in need. Every Child provides programs for...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 1, 2005... SARASOTA COUNTY Junius F. Allen Junius F. Allen, 94, Sarasota, died Dec. 30, 2004. He was born Feb. 28, 1910, in Coraopolis, Pa., and came to Sarasota in 1972 from Mount Lebanon, Pa. He retired in 1972 as a senior vice president...

Condo conundrum.(HOME & REAL ESTATE)(Letter From Home)(Column)
January 1, 2005... Byline: Harold Bubil Finding a condominium to buy in downtown Sarasota, in a price range that would be considered "middle of the market," is not easy. So it is across Florida, as condo mania grips many downtowns right now, with...

A husband, father and friend; Deputy laid to rest after memorial.(B SECTION)
January 1, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- Hundreds of solemn law-enforcement officers gathered Friday to honor one of their own, a man well-respected in Charlotte County and throughout the police...

On deck.(PLAY!)
January 1, 2005... Byline: Text and illustrations by JACOB BENISONJacob.benison@heraldtribune.com An unassuming kid rolls by on a skateboard and suddenly takes your breath away with a daring stunt. You can't help but wonder, "How in the world can he (or she)...

Adding some Latin flavor; Publix Super Markets is launching a line of store-brand Hispanic products this month.(A SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: SELINA ROMAN selina.roman@heraldtribune.com Publix Super Markets will be offering more "sabor," or flavor, on its shelves when it breaks new grocery ground by launching its store-brand Hispanic products this year. The late...

Eyes on real estate in '05; Area home prices are soaring, but economists are divided on whether it's a boom or a bubble that's poised to pop.(A SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: DAVID HACKETT david.hackett@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- Undeterred by terrorist attacks, the war in Iraq, rising fuel and building costs, or even the assault of four hurricanes, this century's version of the Great Florida Land...

A nice guy can be a great coach.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Doug Fernandes TAMPA -- Mark Richt thanked the officials of the Outback Bowl. He thanked the Georgia fans for gobbling up all the tickets. He thanked the university's band and cheerleaders for firing up his team. If offered the...

Fitting finish for FSU; 'Noles' QB Rix ends his career with an erratic win.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: CHRIS MILTON CORRESPONDENT JACKSONVILLE -- The final chapter of Florida State quarterback Chris Rix's college football career read much like the rest of the novel. Rix fought through a slow start and numerous miscues to lead...

Georgia hangs on to beat Badgers.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: JODY ROYCE jody.royce@heraldtribune.com TAMPA -- Georgia's defense proved to be better than the one Wisconsin brought into the 19th Outback Bowl. The Bulldogs made plenty of big plays in stifling Wisconsin, and Georgia...

Bucs hope to finish disappointing season on winning note.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com TEMPE, Ariz. -- It would be surprising today if the declining Tampa Bay Bucs show themselves to be anything but what they have become -- a three-point underdog to the NFL's lapdog, the Arizona...

Southeast splits in tourney.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT NAPLES -- The Southeast High girls basketball team split a pair of games over the weekend in the Naples Daily News Holiday Shootout. Saturday, senior guards Casey Baker (17 points) and Shatoyia Blue (15 points)...

GAME OF THE WEEK.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Jason Swancey KEEPING SCORE LAST WEEK Straight up: 10-6, .625 vs. the spread: 5-9, .357 THE SEASON Straight up: 154-85, (.644) vs. the spread: 117-117, (.500) Share your comments by e-mailing Jason at:...

Even on an off day, Greene gets 42nd win.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com TAMPA -- For quarterback David Greene, most of Saturday's Outback Bowl was a battle, even getting off the field. The fifth-year senior, playing in his fourth straight bowl...

OUTBACK NOTEBOOK.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... These officials would pass an eye exam with ease TAMPA -- The play happened so quickly, it could easily have been ruled a sack and no fumble. When Georgia DE David Pollock sacked Wisconsin QB John Stocco, Pollock stripped the ball as he...

Gators put faith in new regime; After UF's 27-10 loss to Miami on Friday, new coach Urban Meyer has his work cut out for him.(SPORTS)
January 2, 2005... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com ATLANTA -- It is Sunday. Two days remain before the NCAA championship football game. Do you know where your favorite football team is? Florida, Miami and Florida State are all done for...

Pothole delight; For area fishermen, a pothole is the perfect place to try their luck during the extreme low tides of the winter months.(SPORTS)(Outdoors)(Column)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Steve Gibson Positive pots are plentiful: Cooking pots. Potted plants. Lobster pots. Pot stickers. Potted meat. Well, the latter is questionable, but you get the picture. Can't say the same about...

Done with Duncan; With his gentle comic strip canceled, Siesta Key cartoonist Chris Browneis moving on.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- "Peanuts" cartoonist Charles Schulz gave Chris Browne a valuable suggestion several years ago. During lunch, Browne had told Schulz that he had an idea for a comic...

Pieces of Glass.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com Annie Custer has a problem. Well, several problems. Her husband is burned out, chronically depressed and out of work. One teenage daughter won't get out of bed, the other is smoking pot and...

Author explores epiphanies and spiritual journeys.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com As a nurse and psychotherapist, Meredith Jordan has spent 40 years "in the business of being with people in their moments of transition." She began to accumulate stories of epiphanies...

More critters are on the way with comic strip 'Get Fuzzy'.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... "Get Fuzzy," a wry strip about a single guy and his four-legged housemates, debuts Monday in the Herald-Tribune's comics pages. The strip's central character is Rob Wilco, a mild-mannered advertising executive. But his temperamental,...

Emersons celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Otto F. and Ramona M. Emerson of Rockford, Ill., celebrated their 50th anniversary Oct. 16, 2004. They were married Oct. 16, 1954, in Rockford and have lived in Sarasota for 27 years. They are the parents of Rose M. Shedd of Rockton,...

Jenkinses celebrate 60 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Clinton and Lucille (Cramer) Jenkins of Venice celebrated their 60th anniversary Nov. 18, 2004. They were married Nov. 18, 1944, in Detroit, Mich., and have lived in Venice for 26 years. They are the parents of Jack Jenkins of Edina,...

Morans celebrate 50 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Leonard (Jack) and Margaret (Hazelhaker) Moran of Sarasota celebrated their 50th anniversary Dec. 25, 2004. They were married Dec. 25, 1954, in Xenia, Ohio, and have lived in Sarasota for 34 years. They are the parents of David Moran...

Weilers celebrate 60 years.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Bob and Louise (Linforth) Weiler of Sarasota celebrated their 60th anniversary Dec. 2, 2004. They were married Dec. 2, 1944, in Syracuse, N.Y., and have lived in Sarasota for 38 years. They are the parents of Peter Weiler of Sarasota,...

Mancheno-Kruse.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... The engagement of Jessica Lynn Mancheno and George William Kruse Jr., both of New York City is announced. She is the daughter of Tony and Sally Mancheno of Sarasota. He is the son of George Kruse Sr. of Sarasota and Irene Kruse of...

McGurk-Hembree.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... The engagement of Melissa Catherine McGurk and Joe Christopher Hembree, both of Sarasota is announced. She is the daughter of James and Sharon McGurk of Sarasota. He is the son of Joe R. Hembree of Sarasota and Cheryl Hoag of Pequot...

Mickiewicz-Meyers.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... The engagement of Sarah Jo Mickiewicz and Lt.j.g. Nicholas Aaron Meyers USNR, both of Kaneohe, Hi., is announced. She is the daughter of Thomas and Beth Mickiewicz of Sarasota. He is the son of Stephen and Diana Meyers of Cumberland,...

Wright-Post.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... The engagement of Erica Dawn Wright of Sarasota and Brian Paul Post of Punta Gorda is announced. She is the daughter of William A. and Leslie R. Wright of Sarasota. He is the son of Carl Yagley of Port Charlotte and Andrew Post of...

Davis-Tobaygo.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Angela Deanne Davis and Sean William Tobaygo, both of Sarasota, were married Oct. 9, 2004, at 6 p.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Lourdes Davis of Sarasota and Rodger and Ericka Davis of...

Hurst-Vaughan.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Peggy Hurst of Sarasota and Terry Vaughan of Arcadia were married Nov. 13, 2004, at 4:30 p.m. at Unity Church of Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Don and Peggy Randall of Eustis. The bridegroom is the son of Bill and Bonnie...

Lambert-West.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Katrina G. Lambert and Kenneth C. West, both of Wauchula, were married Nov. 30, 2004, at 3 p.m. at Smokey Ridge Wedding Chapel in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The bride is the daughter of James and Kathleen Lambert of Tampa. The bridegroom is...

Lorenzo-Miller.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Patrice Lorenzo of Pasig City, Philippines, and Justin Steven Miller of North Port, were married Nov. 24, 2004, at 2:30 p.m. at The Little Log Chapel in Sevier County, Tenn. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pete Tolentino Lorenzo...

Shrode-Berry.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Susan Maria Shrode of Sarasota and Robert Wayne Berry of Buffalo, N.Y., were married Nov. 20, 2004, at 5 p.m. at The Ritz-Carlton in Sarasota. The bride is the daughter of Mary Ellen and Fred Shrode of Sarasota. The bridegroom is the...

Smith-Euston.(FLORIDA WEST & TRAVEL)
January 2, 2005... Jill Honor Smith and Jason Patrick Euston, both of Sarasota, were married Oct. 23, 2004, at 6:30 p.m. at Southbay Yacht and Racquet Club in Osprey. The bride is the daughter of Lewie and Merrily Smith of Osprey. The bridegroom is the...

Fifties charm and new fevers.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Larry Evans When I look out my office window in the morning and see kids pedaling their bicycles toward Venice Elementary School, I recall something a young medical doctor told me. He said he and his wife were born too late to...

The Social Security fabrication.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Waldo Proffitt I have never been much for making New Year's resolutions, but this year is an exception. I am making a resolution -- just one -- for 2005, and I urge you to join me. It is this: If it ain't broke, don't fix it....

The old and the new; Yesterday is an index of tomorrow.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 2, 2005... The old year has passed, we say, and a new one has dawned, yet in life there never is an old year that we can throw away as we throw away the old calendar. The life of one year flows on into the new. What we were yesterday is an index of what...

Tobacco goes to college; Industry-sponsored parties have no place on campus.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 2, 2005... As part of a 1998 legal settlement, the tobacco industry agreed to stop marketing to teenagers. Well, most teenagers -- as a new study by Harvard's School of Public Health illustrates. Cigarette-makers haven't given up on teens entirely....

Share the budgetary burden; Cut and freeze irresponsible policies as well as programs.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 2, 2005... President Bush and his allies in Congress may finally reacquaint themselves with their self-proclaimed roots as "fiscal conservatives." Now that they've amassed a record federal deficit of $421 billion in the last four years, they appear ready...

Voters to decide on charter changes; One proposed change would lengthen Punta Gorda council members' terms from two years to three.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: JENNY LEE ALLEN jenny.allen@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- Voters will weigh in on several issues next month that could substantially change the way this city is run. A citizens committee has devised a list of 16 proposed...

Change on way as development, rising home prices bring new settlers.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Eric Ernst The other day a friend said he and his wife have talked about leaving town. They don't plan to pack up immediately. They'll retire first, then move to property they've bought in another state. The news came as a...

Charlotte Bay Chapter of DAR recognizes good citizens of the year.(B SECTION)(Out & About)(Column)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Ann Henderson Three Charlotte County high school students were presented with 2004 "good citizen" awards at the Charlotte Bay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution awards luncheon, hosted at the Cultural Center. ...

Community leaders make resolutions.(B SECTION)(Column)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Melynda Lee Many of us do it every year: We resolve to change, to be better, to get things done. This year, we're making those resolutions just as we always did, but in our area there is a difference. Hurricane Charley saw...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 2, 2005... CHARLOTTE COUNTY David Parker Fay David Parker Fay, 63, Port Charlotte, died Dec. 21, 2004, at home. He was born in Melrose, Mass., and came to Port Charlotte in 1987. He worked 23 years in the Melrose police department, 15 years...

Explorers brush up on crafts at camp.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Explorer Camp at the Englewood United Methodist Church has been busy this holiday break. Field trips were made to a live Nativity, the bowling alley, the park and even to the Dairy Queen a few times....

COUNTY CHARTER TUSSLE; Lines are being drawn in the battle for power.(A SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Voters, brace yourselves for political warfare and prepare to pick a side. County Commissioner Joe McClash and Bradenton Mayor Wayne Poston, each backed by influential...

Counties vary in how they implement their charters.(A SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- The charter form of government is hardly new or untested. Every city in Florida has a charter. The voter-approved document is precisely what makes a city a city. It...

City hall was 'Buckey's baby'.(PERSPECTIVES)(Editorial)
January 2, 2005... Byline: John Hamner There are those among us who tend to smile when someone refers to the structure now being replaced at Manatee Avenue and 15th Street as the "old city hall." It is a former city hall, to be sure. But at this time, when...

Manatee's first '05 baby is 'Meghe'.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: DEBI SPRINGER debi.springer@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- One quick phone call to India on New Year's Day solved a dilemma for Parrish residents Sejal and Ramesh Patel. Their daughter was born eight days early, and the...

Authorities search for men who robbed pedestrian.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT BRADENTON -- A Pride Park resident was robbed at gunpoint as he walked through his neighborhood on New Year's Day. Jose Naldonado, 31, was walking in the 1200 block of 60th Avenue Terrace West at about 7 a.m. when...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
January 2, 2005... MANATEE COUNTY Jess Stavely Barber Jr. Jess Stavely Barber Jr., 73, Sarasota (Manatee County) died Dec. 26, 2004. He was born Dec. 13, 1931, in Livingston, N.J., and came to Manatee County 15 years ago from New Jersey. He retired...

When it comes to hate crimes, stats don't tell all.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: JOE FOLLICK CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- In Hillsborough County, sheriff's officers consider the spraying of a swastika on a house a hate crime and report it as such to the state. But in Sarasota County, and many others, the...

There's another deadly horror as disturbing as South Asian tsunami.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
January 2, 2005... Byline: Tom Lyons The numbers may well be off by tens of thousands, but some estimates put the death toll at a shocking level, well over 100,000. Many more are expected to die. Countless livelihoods have been wrecked. How can we help?...

Challenge aims to help participants cut fat, get healthier; A Sarasota chiropractor is signing up contestants for a 12-week quest with fitness, prizes at the end.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: KEVIN DALE kevin.dale@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- With a busy practice, chiropractor Greg Logan doesn't get to watch much TV. So it was fortunate for the lives and bodies he hopes to transform that he caught "The Biggest...

A message of world peace and hope; Hundreds gather at Epiphany Cathedral to usher in the new year with prayers for tsunami and war victims.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: JAMIE MANFUSO jamie.manfuso@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- Hearing everything from a meditative Buddhist chant to a pulpit-pounding speech, hundreds of people on Saturday were urged to take action for peace. The 15th annual World...

Sewer costs shock community; Owners of 70 homes west of Phillippi Creek receive notices saying a connection could cost up to $12,000.(B SECTION)
January 2, 2005... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE jeremy.wallace@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Dozens of homeowners living just west of Phillippi Creek got sticker shock when they learned that hooking into new sewer lines can cost twice what they expected....