Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from January 2008

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from January 2008

911 caller saw child on Lee's last night Janet Kowalski reported what she thought was a youngster's abduction.
January 31, 2008... Byline: JOHN DAVIS john.davis@heraldtribune.com Summarizing the emergency call, the 911 operator detailed a caller who phoned in "thinking this child may have been involved" in a possible Amber Alert, a national response program for...

With tax losses looming, big changes on the way.
January 31, 2008... Byline: DOUG SWORD doug.sword@heraldtribune.com Hours of operation at libraries and parks may be cut again. Socialservice organizations, already swamped due to the real estate downturn, will see another round of cuts from local...

Voters' love affair with Crist far from over, election shows.
January 31, 2008... Byline: JOE FOLLICK H-T CAPITAL BUREAU While the traditional honeymoon of Crist's first year in office is over, the primary and referendum results may force lawmakers and lobbyists to pay homage to the governor in issues big and small....

Another try for Lee case gag order.
January 31, 2008... Byline: TODD RUGER todd.ruger@heraldtribune.com But Assistant Public Defender John Scotese filed a new motion Wednesday stressing that defense attorneys should be able to review the material first to object to the release of any...

The great governmental divide Tax vote widens rift between the state and local officials.
January 31, 2008... In Sarasota County, where voters have approved two local property-tax increases and a sales tax extension in the past two years, nearly 68 percent of the voters supported the constitutional amendment. In Manatee County, 62 percent of voters...

Planting the seed Farmers market would be a boost for Palmetto and Manatee.
January 31, 2008... Palmetto officials, who are expected to vote on the plan in early February, are wisely embracing the idea and considering waiving rental fees for the first few months to help the market gain a foothold. The market would have an attractive...

Goshay has opponents veering off Mastering the art of taking charges, Charlotte's senior center chalks up three more in victory over Boca Raton.
January 31, 2008... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com "I took it and ran with it," Goshay said. More like taking it and planting it. Averaging taking 1.8 charges per game, Goshay took three in the first 10 minutes,...

Sailors' Kelly picks Vols Two-sport star to sign letter of intent with Tennessee on signing day Feb. 6.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHAD BROCKHOFF CORRESPONDENT The Volunteers' coaching staff contacted Sarasota head football coach Bob Perkins in September 2006, telling him they were offering Kelly a scholarship. Arizona State and North Carolina were in the...

Sarasota sends eight wrestlers to regional Sailors sophomore Austin Brown wins the 125-pound title with a pin and outscores his three opponents 37-3. Tai Nguyen is the lone Riverview wrestler to advance.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHAD BROCKHOFF CORRESPONDENT Herrera, who placed second at the 2007 Class 3A state tournament at 103 pounds, carried a 3-1 lead into the third period of his championship finals match against Countryside's Jordan Frease. The...

Sarasota Super Six sink Scots in Sister Cities event.
January 31, 2008... Byline: Mark Cardon They were from Scotland and were more concerned about beating Sarasota's Super Six and establishing an economic, cultural and golfing relationship with the home team. The event was the Sarasota Sister Cities first...

AREA CHIP SHOTS.
January 31, 2008... PARRISH -- The grand reopening of the Palmetto Pines Golf Course was held Wednesday. Community leaders and golfers gathered for the ceremony. In 1956, Palmetto Pines opened with nine holes. Now it is a 36-hole executive course owned by...

H-T Area Boys Basketball Super 7 Rankings.
January 31, 2008... Stephenson (16.5 ppg) provide most of the scoring and have been models of consistency. The 6-foot-5 Pena, a Florida Atlantic signee, has scored in double figures in every game but one and has 14 20-point plus games, three over 30 and one over...

MCC plays from behind in loss to St. Pete CC.
January 31, 2008... Byline: BRIAN NEWBERRY CORRESPONDENT LeCorey Ruffin and Phylip Taylor each finished with 15 points for the Lancers (1-5, 8-13). Sheldon Shine (14) and Aaron Mitchell (12) also finished in double-figures in the Suncoast Conference contest....

Tire maker wins case over trade secrets Former employee of Sarasota's Alpha Mining told to pay $19.7 million.
January 31, 2008... Byline: TOM BAYLES tom.bayles@heraldtribune.com "Alpha has suffered and continues to suffer irreparable damage as a result of defendant's misappropriation of Alpha's confidential, proprietary and trade secret information," McDonald...

Former diner workers demand money owed Bills and lawsuits mount against Mel's owner.
January 31, 2008... Byline: TONI WHITT toni.whitt@heraldtribune.com Claire Marlow, a real estate agent who lives on Siesta Key and attended the Rudy Giuliani campaign event at the Tamiami Trail restaurant hours before it closed for good, paid for the...

Business Buzz.
January 31, 2008... The event is scheduled for Feb. 7 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country Club. Social hour begins at 6 p.m. and the dinner is at 7 p.m. For more information, call 330-8668. Design Marketing lands new business Sarasota's Design...

Fair offers 10 days of entertainment.
January 31, 2008... Byline: KATE SPINNER kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com "Everything is looking great," said Pete Galizia, president of the Charlotte County Fair Association. "The weather is going to be great. I think we're going to have a good fair." ...

POLICE BRIEFS.
January 31, 2008... The incident occurred at the Charlotte County jail when an inmate complained that his Cadillac SUV had been stolen. When corrections officer Cpl. Austin Kelly approached the SUV in the parking lot, the teenager drove the vehicle toward him,...

BEST BETS.
January 31, 2008... "FEMA City." See the documentary about a FEMA mobile home park built in Punta Gorda after Hurricane Charley struck in August 2004 in its first local screening. Filmmaker Jamin Griffiths will be present to answer questions afterwards. ...

Teacher taking dancers higher.
January 31, 2008... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT She sees part of that calling as inspiring her students. "I feel if a child has an opportunity to connect with something they are passionate about, they'll know what they have to do," she...

Play by local writer debuts as staged reading Saturday.
January 31, 2008... Aunt Martha is a spinster who, using scrap materials, makes teddy bears that she sends to gift shops. When she and her friend win millions from a shared lottery ticket, the results are a "funny, fun and a feel-good production." ...

McLaughlin wins 50-lap feature.
January 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT The race was on for second place behind Skaggs and Phil Morrison. Skaggs passed Morrison for second on lap 23, but Morrison returned the favor on lap 26. It stayed that way, as Morrison grabbed second. Skaggs...

Obituaries.
January 31, 2008... Nov. 18, 1921 - Jan. 22, 2008 John G. Killeen, 86, Port Charlotte, formerly of Bethesda, Md., died Jan. 22, 2008. Memorial services will be later. Ewing Funeral Home handled arrangements. Survivors include a son, Frank;...

Tracking game lets players in on cache.
January 31, 2008... Byline: JACK SHORT CORRESPONDENT According to www.geocaching.com, it is a game where participants use GPS devices to to find stash sites, or caches. Ranger Rick Storsberg and nine volunteers from the Reserve decided to put together a...

Copland and Beethoven's works at Venice Symphony.
January 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 8 and 9, and a 4 p.m. matinee on Feb. 9 at the Venice Church of the Nazarene, 1535 East Venice Ave. Tickets are $16, $20 and $23, all seats reserved. Call the symphony office at...

Future is on the agenda Town Hall Meeting can help shape Venice's comprehensive plan.
January 31, 2008... That's because the council is in the midst of revising the city's comprehensive plan. The state-mandated plan guides growth, development and the preservation of aspects of the city that people consider important to the quality of their...

Noriega scorches Blazers He becomes the Bobcats' all-time leading scorer and the first to pass the 1,300-point mark.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT In the late contest, Trey Burton scored a game-high 17 points and had nine rebounds as Venice routed Cardinal Mooney 63-27. Noriega knocked down a jump shot late in the second quarter to become the...

BEST BETS.
January 31, 2008... Wings of Freedom Tour. 2 to 5 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to noon Monday at Venice Municipal Airport. Tour inside and outside famous WWII bomber aircraft -- the B-17 and B-25 bombers. Walk-through tours...

Gathering of 'girls' is one fun night.
January 31, 2008... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Joyce Jacobs, one of three presidents of the San Pedro Ladies Guild (the event sponsor) said, "We are looking to attract women from all around the area, not just parishioners of the church for a girls...

Obituaries.
January 31, 2008... Jan. 5, 1954 - Jan. 22, 2008 Deborah F. Dietrich, 54, Sarasota, formerly of Rockland County, N.Y., died Jan. 22, 2008. A celebration of Deborah's life will be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Siesta Key pavilion. National Cremation...

Governor has finger on pulse of public.
January 31, 2008... Byline: Eric Ernst He's good at gauging the collective mood and capitalizing on it. This is nothing new. A decade ago, when crime dominated the headlines in Florida, Crist, then a moderate legislator, picked up the nickname "Chain Gang...

Safety officials address number problems Push for larger numbers on houses has goal of speeding response time.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com Other times, emergency responders have even knocked on the door and asked if they were at the right home, said Parrish Assistant Fire Chief Wayne Ownbey. Missing or...

Angry owners blast tower 'Flagpole' not welcome, River Club residents say.
January 31, 2008... Byline: FRANK GLUCK frank.gluck@heraldtribune.com Instead, the company is getting an earful from angry homeowners who are convinced that a tower, even one with an American flag atop it, would be a visual blight on their upscale...

Corrections.
January 31, 2008... * The Greek Glendi at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church, 7671 Lockwood Ridge Road, in Manatee County, will be Feb. 7-10. An incorrect date appeared in Wednesday's Herald-Tribune. For hours, go to stbarbarafestival.org or call 355-2616.

IN BRIEF.
January 31, 2008... The public may attend the shows at Manatee High School, 902 33rd St. Court W., Bradenton, for $2 admission. Proceeds will go to the schools' drama departments. The curtain goes up on morning performances at 9 a.m. Afternoon...

POLICE BRIEFS.
January 31, 2008... Sheriff's deputies learned that the girl was home alone. They stopped Niver and another man who was a suspect in a stolen vehicle case as the two men were walking along 57th Avenue East. While talking with the men, deputies learned that the...

Man helps remember victims of Holocaust.
January 31, 2008... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT "We knew already that six members of the family disappeared while we were in the United States. The letters we sent just weren't being answered anymore," Marburg said. "Two of them were deported to...

Gospel music convention visits Manatee Civic Center.
January 31, 2008... Byline: STAFF REPORT The event features music by nearly 40 groups, including The Beene Family, Forgiven Trio, The Mark Trammell Trio, The Booth Brothers, Gold City, The McKameys, Brian Free and Assurance, Greater Vision, Mike and Kelly...

Obituaries.
January 31, 2008... June 26, 1938 - Jan. 29, 2008 James T. "Jimmy" Batey, 69, Bradenton, died Jan. 29, 2008. Services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at West Bradenton Baptist Church. Shannon Funeral Home is in charge. Survivors include his nephew,...

Pets and people revel in 'Dog's Night Out'.
January 31, 2008... Byline: Marjorie North Next on ARC's fundraising schedule is "Best in Show Does NY" Feb. 16 at Michael's, where Michael Klauber himself will emcee. More information by calling Liz Albers at 957-1955. In the spotlight Some 75...

Hospitals spar over Manatee patients Manatee Memorial says Sarasota hospital's plans to build may cost taxpayers.
January 31, 2008... Byline: DAVID GULLIVER david.gulliver@heraldtribune.com Sarasota Memorial Hospital has invaded deep into Manatee County, enabled by a change in Florida law. Its landing zone happens to be next to one of the wealthiest pockets in the...

Primary turnout in Florida a record Democrat numbers surprise observers.
January 31, 2008... Byline: ANTHONY CORMIER anthony.cormier@heraldtribune.com The Amendment 1 tax measure was also a strong draw for voters, although not as great as the presidential primary. Among independent voters, who were eligible to vote for the tax...

POLICE BRIEFS.
January 31, 2008... The 22-year-old woman said she gave Jesus Trevino of Sarasota a car ride at about 3 a.m. Tuesday. According to a Sheriff's Office report: Trevino accused her of having sex with her boss and punched her. He grabbed the steering wheel and...

Plumbers plug leaks in their morale About 100 people attend games put on by local business.
January 31, 2008... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com In these games, the motto is: "If you bleed, you lose." "Do lots of weightlifting," Calvert said of winning the speed sawing contest. "I cut them every day." Calvert, who...

BEST BETS.
January 31, 2008... ACT NOW Get your event considered for the Herald-Tribune community calendar. Items must be submitted online using a form at www.heraldtribune.com/calendarform. Please include how frequently your event occurs. Items without that...

Boxer has bad luck being adopted.
January 31, 2008... Byline: ALEX DiSCLAFANI CORRESPONDENT Tami Treadway, Sarasota County Animal Services Shelter animal care supervisor, says she thinks she knows why M.J. does not have more luck with adoption. "People think she looks too pit bull-ish,"...

Circus Sarasota, Key Chorale and La Musica donate blood.
January 31, 2008... "Circus Sarasota is very proud to host this blood drive," Circus Sarasota founder and CEO Pedro Reis said in a printed release. "We are honored to give something to others that will make a lasting impact. "This is a phenomenal way to...

Obituaries.
January 31, 2008... Aug. 18, 1929 - Jan. 28, 2008 Doris Christine Singleton-Hill, 78, Sarasota, formerly of Glenwood, Ga., died Jan. 28, 2008. Visitation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Chandler's Funeral Chapel in Sarasota. Services will be at...

Parishioner gave time and funds to renewal effort.
January 31, 2008... Byline: MARK ZALOUDEK mark.zaloudek@heraldtribune.com If tentative plans to add a new vicarage and make other improvements win the support of parishioners and regulatory officials, the 200-member congregation will set out to raise the...

A reason to lounge around.
January 31, 2008... "I took the big risk and bought all the furniture," Scheer said after a behind-the-scenes tour of the storage area containing mounds of stylish outdoor chairs and daybeds that will fill the street. "You have to do it right, because you can't...

I'M JUST A SINGER IN A ROCK 'N' ROLL BAND Talented musicians fuel the local scene.
January 31, 2008... Byline: STEVE ECHEVERRIA JR. steve.echeverria @heraldtribune.com The local music scene is so vibrant, with live music played every night of the week, that it serves as the perfect comple- ment to the white sand and beautiful weather....

'Heights' of fancy at circus.
January 31, 2008... Byline: GERRY GALIPAULT gerry.galipault@heraldtribune.com They are committed to therapeutic outreach programs, such as interactions with Alzheimer's patients. They also visit nursing homes, adult care centers, local schools and...

Local Music.
January 31, 2008... Base of operation: Sarasota When formed: 2001 Style/genre of music: Alternative rock Bio: The two visionaries of Greenhouse Effect met in 1997, committing to The Project -- its original name -- in 2001. After reassessment, and...

Fest brings gospel home.
January 31, 2008... Byline: STEVE ECHEVERRIA JR. steve.echeverria@heraldtribune.com That was two years ago. Now, Bailey is gearing up for his biggest music showcase to date, a weeklong gospel extravaganza called the 2008 Winter Gospel Music Convention....

Little love lost for Minxx.
January 31, 2008... Byline: Steve Echeverria Jr. With the amount of phone calls, e-mails and Internet chat received at the Herald-Tribune, you would have thought a training camp for militant Islamists sponsored by al-Qaida was uncovered and obliterated. ...

Would that be a Pama-rita?
January 31, 2008... "The world's first true pomegranate liqueur" is made from juice from fruits grown in the Golden State. But that's not all. The drink's producers also toss premium vodka and imported tequila into the red elixir. Yummy. With...

The grandmother of the paintbrush.
January 31, 2008... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com "Grandma Moses is really a tremendous figure in American culture, not only as an artist, but as a major personality," said Elisabeth Myers, curatorial fellow at the Ringling, during a...

Art flows with the Myakka.
January 31, 2008... Byline: KEVIN COSTELLO CORRESPONDENT Stylistically, Blackburn works in the tradition of Photorealism modified by an interest in biomorphic pattern- making. This preoccupation brings out her sensitivity to the color gradations created by...

Menu and atmosphere score at Polo.
January 31, 2008... Byline: JACK WINNER CORRESPONDENT The restaurant has the look of an updated country club. It is open, with good space between tables. Burnt orange walls add a splash of color, and ceiling insets with molded tile add a touch of elegance....

Service clubs grant money to charities.
January 31, 2008... Byline: Christi Womack Fifty-four organizations applied for money, requesting a total of more than $577,000 for projects, said Terry Pennekamp, chairman of the club's Ways and Means Committee. The club had $152,276 to give, and a...

A battle of wits Intellectual strength is the key in Brazilian jujitsu.
January 31, 2008... Byline: PATRINA A. BOSTIC patrina.bostic@heraldtribune.com During a recent class at Carpenter's Family Taekwondo ATA Black Belt Academy, Vieira demonstrated tactics for overcoming an attacker. "It's infinite," said Vieira, who moved...

Parrish Heritage Day Parade grows to include rail museum.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com Organizers said the changes will give them more room to stage parade vehicles. The annual event, which has wound its way through the village of Parrish every spring for more...

Groups to solidify presence.
January 31, 2008... Byline: PATRINA A. BOSTIC patrina.bostic@heraldtribune.com "We are very close" to meeting the $3.1 million goal, said Jacki Dezelski, the chamber's vice president of east county and community development. Both the chamber and...

Classical principles, modern creations.
January 31, 2008... Works by artist and instructor Charles Miano were on display at the event as well as ongoing instructed classes with demonstrations. A reception, "Eve of Illumination," followed that evening. For more information, visit...

BUSINESS BRIEFS.
January 31, 2008... On Friday, which is Give Kids a Smile Day, two local dentists will offer free services to qualifying children. Drs. James Little and Veronica Thompson at Creekwood Dental will provide services such as X-rays, cleanings, exams and...

Feeding nostalgia Shoppers find links to the past at antique mall.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHRISTOPHER O'DONNELL chris.odonnell@heraldtribune.com "The average shopper spends three hours in here," said Porpora, who has run the business for 11 years. "It's nostalgia and people finding things they can't find anyplace...

SCHOOL BRIEFS.
January 31, 2008... More than 300 Manatee County middle and high school students will participate in the Lockheed Martin Technology Student Association's District Competition. The event will be from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Lakewood Ranch High...

COMMUNITY BRIEFS.
January 31, 2008... Public tours of the Gamble Mansion have resumed even though restoration work is still ongoing at the only surviving pre-Civil War mansion in southern Florida. The mansion, located in Ellenton, closed in May for a $116,000 restoration...

In East Manatee, rallying for a cause.
January 31, 2008... On Tuesday, residents gathered for a "Love-In." As they lay on the grass to spell the word "Love," a photo was taken from overhead. The image will be printed as a poster and sold in a prize drawing during a tennis tournament Feb. 16 and 17....

Barnes hates losing Sophomore is 34-6 and is shooting for a district title, beginning today at North Port High School.
January 31, 2008... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT Hating to lose is what makes Barnes a winner. "He's infused us with new life," Braden River coach Chris Valcarcel said. "His experience has been a great addition In the weight room. I couldn't ask for...

Markowski is passionate about sport.
January 31, 2008... Byline: STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com Markowski is all business when he's hosting his nationally syndicated radio show called The Watch Dog on Wall Street. But when he talks about lacrosse, his real passion, he's sappy....

CANNON BOOMS Freshman forward breathes life into Thunder program.
January 31, 2008... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT Though she is only a freshman at the Out-Of-Door Academy, Cannon has those attributes every coach tries to instill in their players. In his first year as girls soccer coach at ODA, Rubens saw that in the...

Verrill confident despite setbacks.
January 31, 2008... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT That's the reason Verrill is optimistic as the opening game nears -- despite the fact the Thunder are without three of their main players from a year ago. "We lost three big guys, so we've got the...

SHERIFF'S REPORTS.
January 31, 2008... A burglar fled with more than $100 after breaking the glass to enter a business in Lakewood Ranch. The thief stole $117.50 from a drawer between midnight and 4:30 a.m. Jan. 24 at University Cleaners in the 8300 block of Market Street,...

Southeast grad Mike Mullen anxious to start at Lakewood Ranch.
January 31, 2008... Byline: Steve Gibson When he found out Dave Moates had stepped down at Lakewood Ranch High School in August, Mullen knew it was time to put on his cap, lace up his shoes and get back on the diamond. He'd missed the sound of the ball...

Florida lifts McCain He beats Romney without any help from independents.; Among Democrats, Clinton savors her symbolic victory.
January 30, 2008... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE H-T POLITICAL WRITER In winning Florida, McCain proved he could win in a big, diverse state that was closed to the independent voters to whom many had attributed his earlier victories in New Hampshire and South...

PROMISE OF TAX RELIEF PREVAILS WINNERS AND LOSERS; Crist gets the credit, while critics predict that services will suffer.
January 30, 2008... Byline: JOE FOLLICK H-T CAPITAL BUREAU "I think what it means was that the people wanted a tax cut very, very badly," Crist said in Miami. "They wanted it and now they got it." Opponents said Floridians will see little tax savings...

PROMISE OF TAX RELIEF PREVAILS WHAT IT MEANS Homeowners who move will be able to take tax savings with them.
January 30, 2008... Byline: DOUG SWORD doug.sword@heraldtribune.com The part of the plan that will affect the most residents is a $25,000 increase in the homestead exemption. It translates into cuts ranging from around $140 to $240 a year, depending on where...

Hot primaries and Amendment 1 bring out voters.
January 30, 2008... Byline: ANTHONY CORMIER anthony.cormier@heraldtribune.com In the past, primary turnout in the state was dim, dropping sharply from about 40 percent in the late 1980s to nearly 20 percent in 2000 and 2004. But along Florida's west...

Getting the stimulus right Economic boost should be timely, temporary and targeted.
January 30, 2008... It's worth noting, however, that the bipartisan Congressional Budget Office agrees that timely, temporary and carefully targeted measures -- particularly rebates aimed at lower-income workers -- can boost the economy. Douglas Elmendorf...

Seniors power Pirates to win.
January 30, 2008... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com Therefore, the Port Charlotte coach rode the foursome hard during the summer. With one game remaining in the regular season, Specht can see results. The Pirates...

Top four seeds cruise to first-round victories.
January 30, 2008... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com In the two afternoon games, No. 4 seed Venice used a big run in the second half to eliminate No. 5 Charlotte, 45-32 while No. 3 seed North Port was too strong underneath for No. 6 seed...

Buffalo's balance beats up Bolts.
January 30, 2008... Byline: JODY ROYCE jody.royce@heraldtribune.com The balance on the Buffalo bench was evident as four different players scored and five players had multiple points, led by Jason Pominville's goal and two assists. If there was any...

Wolfe's only basket gives Patriots a win.
January 30, 2008... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT With its victory, No. 4 Bradenton Prep advances into Friday night's semifinals, matching up against No. 1 seed Sarasota Christian at 7 p.m. In the first semifinal, No. 2 ODA will take on No. 3 Bradenton...