Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from July 2004

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from July 2004

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Compiled from Charlotte and Sarasota county sheriffs' reports filed through July 30. Alamander Avenue, 1400 block, July 27. Various tools and three saws were reported stolen. Palm Avenue, 800 block, July 28. A nailgun, a saw and...

Imperfect vision; Sarasota 2050 has flaws but will improve growth management.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 31, 2004... Sarasota County commissioners didn't pop the corks on bottles of bubbly Tuesday evening after they put the finishing touches on the Sarasota 2050 development plan they've labored on for two years. Instead, the five commissioners breathed a...

Organization will begin new leagues in Manatee.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- The Cal Ripken Baseball organization, which fought a bitter court battle to establish a league in Sarasota five years ago, has expanded into Manatee County. Cal-Ripken will start a fall...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
July 31, 2004... MANATEE COUNTY Jane R. Becker Jane R. Becker, 87, Bradenton, died July 29, 2004. She was born June 27, 1917, in Emporium, Pa., and came to Bradenton in 1980 from Olean, N.Y. She was a homemaker. She was a member of First Church...

LOCAL BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Sarasota to discuss policy for olive trees SARASOTA -- Facing a rising chorus of protests, the City Commission will discuss setting a new policy for replacing Main Street's black olive trees Monday. Under a recently adopted city...

In-wince-able; Sarasota physical therapist helps golfers improve flexibility and prevent injuries.(PLAY!)
July 31, 2004... Byline: DAVID GRIMES david.grimes@heraldtribune.com Alice Baum can't cure your fear of side-hill 3-footers, your anxiety over long water carries, or your reluctance to draw it back when the back nine, the overall and two presses ride on...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
July 31, 2004... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Florence I. Mercer Florence I. Mercer, Holiday Lake, Port Charlotte, died July 29, 2004. She was born in Boston and came to the Charlotte County area in 1979 from Pembroke, Mass. She attended the Gulf Cove...

Frozen out; Excessive debt and anticipated higher interest rates can freeze potential first-time home buyers right out of their plans.(HOME & REAL ESTATE)
July 31, 2004... Byline: DOROTHY STOCKBRIDGE-PRATT dorothy.pratt@heraldtribune.com As mortgage interest rates rise from historic lows, the first-time home buyer will feel the pinch. Some will no longer qualify for a mortgage, and others will have to scale...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Back-to-school health fair today BRADENTON -- Manatee Rural Health Services and Faith United Methodist Church are hosting a back-to-school health fair today. The fair will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the church, 7215 First Ave. W....

Clarke paid spouse for consulting work; State Rep. Donna Clarke's husband and his business got more than $47,000 over 3 campaigns.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: VICTOR HULL victor.hull@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Donna Clarke hasn't had to look very far to find a consultant to direct her three campaigns for the state Legislature. Since 2000, she's turned to her husband,...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
July 31, 2004... SARASOTA COUNTY Gertrude Bessey Gertrude "Trudy" Bessey, 96, North Port, died July 29, 2004. She was born June 7, 1908, in Corry, Pa., and came to Florida 30 years ago. She was a teacher in the school system of Jamestown, N.Y.,...

Local snapshots; Brief comments on life and times in our communities.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 31, 2004... Cooling their heels Candidates in the races for seats on the North Port City Commission can slow down. Those contests won't be decided in the Aug. 31 primary election. Challengers and incumbents can woo voters right up to the Nov. 2...

Caution advised; Cost of monitoring Tallevast cleanup could go higher.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 31, 2004... Tallevast residents won an important concession this week in a legal agreement requiring Lockheed Martin to pay for cleaning up pollution in their southern Manatee County neighborhood. But -- as with all things in this ordeal -- a large...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Home dedication Kerri Hutnak and her son Jamal were welcomed to their new home at 2420 Duke Lane in Port Charlotte, with a dedication ceremony by Charlotte County Habitat for Humanity, on July 15. During the ceremony, the homeowners...

There's still time for back-to-school shopping and inoculations.(B SECTION)(Life Around Town)(Column)
July 31, 2004... It's the last weekend for kids in public school to go to bed on Sunday night and wake up with a school-free week ahead of them. Make sure you find out if your school is holding its open house or orientation this week, and don't forget to...

Old Christmas trees heading for their final resting place.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
July 31, 2004... Byline: Rich Brooks It's Christmas in July. No, I haven't lost my jingle bells. Nor has the icing slipped off my Christmas cookies. But at our house, we are carrying out a holiday tradition five months early. We're throwing...

Quay owners rework their plan; Gone are conference center plans and some retail space.(A SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: KEVIN McQUAID kevin.mcquaid@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- The Dublin-based owners of the Sarasota Quay have shelved plans to include a conference center on the waterfront property. In contrast to preliminary plans drawn up...

SaraSox outlast T-Yanks.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Jim Buckley's line-drive double down the left-field line with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning drove in Jeremy West with the winning Friday night when the Sarasota Red Sox held...

Wildlife refuge back in business; Amberlake, closed since May, has been cleared of charges related to abandoned animals.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: DARLA MCFARLAND darla.mcfarland@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- Amberlake Wildlife Refuge reopened its doors to distressed animals of all kinds this morning after five weeks of anxious waiting. Refuge operator Louie Pierson...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... American Legion Post 159 American Legion Post 159, 145 E. Venice Ave., Venice, elected officers recently. The 2004 slate includes Greg Putman, commander; Coert Voorhees, first vice commander; Nick Felicita, second vice commander; Frank...

Active pregnancy.(PLAY!)
July 31, 2004... "The Active Woman's Guide to Pregnancy," $16.95 from Ten Speed Press, coaches athletic and adventurous women through a fit pregnancy. Aneema Van Groenou, a Denver doctor and writer, starts with the basics of staying active through each...

Tow services will float your boat.(PLAY!)(Sailing)(Column)
July 31, 2004... Byline: Morgan Stinemetz One of the old sayings in sailing -- a sport that is absolutely awash in old sayings, probably because it has been around a long time -- is that them that ain't run aground haven't sailed very far. It may have...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Sheriff names first victim's advocate CHARLOTTE COUNTY -- Sheriff Bill Cameron announced Friday the creation of a victim's advocate position. The advocate will work with major-crimes detectives on cases in which an arrest is not...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Compiled from Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and Punta Gorda Police Department reports filed through July 30. PORT CHARLOTTE Crestwood Drive, 3100 block, July 29. Deputy sheriffs responded to the report of a disturbance between...

Devil Rays blanked for ninth time.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Now, about that hitter Lou Piniella craves. Josh Towers and two relievers combined on a two-hit shutout, as Toronto blanked the Rays, 3-0, before 10,531...

Global Signal posts $5.1M profit since June IPO.(BUSINESS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: STAFF REPORT SARASOTA COUNTY -- Global Signal, the reborn Pinnacle Holdings, reported a profit of $5.1 million for the most recent quarter, its first since becoming a public company. The profits translate into 11 cents per...

Rays send Zambrano to Mets for pitcher.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- With one eye on the future and another on their wallet, the Rays traded their No. 1 pitcher for the past two seasons. Tampa Bay sent right-hander Victor...

An irreverent look at architecture through the ages.(HOME & REAL ESTATE)(Letter From Home)(Column)
July 31, 2004... Byline: Harold Bubil This is a great time of year for catching up with your reading. But who says it has to be with a new book? A few weeks ago, a friend loaned me a copy of "Pillar to Post: The Pocket Lamp of Architecture." This...

Manatee chamber is tops in Florida; For the second time in five years the group takes a state award.(BUSINESS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: RICH SHOPES rich.shopes@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Manatee County's Chamber of Commerce is the state's best -- again. The chamber took home the top prize Thursday night during a banquet of the Florida Association of...

Painted petals.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Lemon Bay Garden Club members Helen Dugan, left, and Violet Fisher paint decorative flowers that will be for sale at the Garden Fair on Nov. 19 and 20. The workshop was held Friday at the clubhouse. CAPTION(S): STAFF PHOTOS / ARMANDO...

Fourth time is charm for Starmaker Sharks.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- The fourth time was a charm for the Starmaker Sharks, who won the 14-Under AAU national championship with a 10-1 victory over the Tampa Gators on Friday at Ed Smith Stadium. The...

Voting runs in the family.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 31, 2004... Byline: Barbara Peters Smith Whenever I call my parents' house and my father answers, it means my mother isn't home, and we are both pleased by this fortuitous chance for a little chat -- not that he would ever go so far as to create...

Mounds of history mark Emerson Point.(PLAY!)(Go!)(Column)
July 31, 2004... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL SNEAD ISLAND -- When it gets cooler -- maybe when my mom visits for Thanksgiving -- I want to go back to Emerson Point Conservation Park. The Manatee County refuge has mounds of history, nature trails and an...

Where credits aren't due; Commission wise to set policy before excusing impact fees.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 31, 2004... The Charlotte County Commission acted responsibly this week when it declined to grant more than $1 million in impact-fee credits to developers seeking to build a road linking their isolated airport-area property to Piper Road. Southwest...

Another setback; Jurevicius' back injury deals another blow to WR corps.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com KISSIMMEE -- The 10-month nightmare that has become Joe Jurevicius' career as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer continued Friday when the six-year veteran wide receiver was placed on the active...

Deputy cleared in fatal shooting; Investigators say Sgt. Jason Powell used justifiable force when he was threatened by a knife-wielding man.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: ROBERT PATRICK robert.patrick@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Investigators have cleared a Manatee deputy who shot and killed a knife-wielding county man last month. Sheriff's Sgt. Jason Powell shot 48-year-old Steven...

From your Reader Advocate.(A SECTION)(Column)
July 31, 2004... One of my duties as a news assistant at the Herald-Tribune is to assist callers in obtaining information they are seeking, or merely to forward their calls to other desks. Therefore, it wasn't much of a stretch for me to step into the...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
July 31, 2004... Smith to restore historic Selby House Sarasota's Willis A. Smith Construction Inc. has been chosen by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to provide construction management services for the restoration of the historic Selby House. The...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... County responding to mosque inquiry SARASOTA COUNTY -- County officials were working feverishly on Friday to put together paperwork requested by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Justice Department is investigating whether the...

Carlie's mom loses custody of her son; Susan Schorpen's 7-year-old is taken away by the state after she fails a drug test.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Six months after 11-year-old Carlie Brucia was kidnapped and killed, the state has removed her younger brother from the custody of their mother, Susan Schorpen. A...

Campaign donations escalated in July; Most candidates for local office managed to fatten their coffers during the month.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: DALE WHITE and TIFFANY LANKES STAFF WRITERS MANATEE COUNTY -- Several candidates for the County Commission and School Board got a substantial boost in campaign donations this month, according to finance reports submitted to the...

Man found not guilty in golf-club killing of ex-girlfriend; A guilty verdict would have sent Dwayne Simmons to prison for life. Instead, he's a free man again.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- As a repeat drug offender on trial for murder, Dwayne Simmons was facing life in prison. Instead, Simmons walked out of the courtroom a free man Thursday night, after...

County makes bid for Venice utilities; But it will likely be in vain, since City Manager Marty Black is already backing a private company for the job.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: JULIAN PECQUET julian.pecquet@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- The Sarasota County commissioners on Wednesday jumped at the chance to take over management of Venice utilities. The same day they learned of the city manager's plan...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Board OKs statue at Gilchrist Park PUNTA GORDA -- A city board on Friday approved the erection of a 7-foot-tall bronze statue to honor the legacy of Juan Ponce de Leon, the Spanish explorer who discovered Florida nearly 500 years ago. ...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Waterways tax to remain flat VENICE -- The four-county taxing district that oversees local waterways on Friday voted to keep its tax rate unchanged. The West Coast Inland Navigation District, which meets every 10 to 12 weeks, will...

Always check for lead.(HOME & REAL ESTATE)(Home Work)(Column)
July 31, 2004... Byline: Art Levy The smart thing to do, before beginning our painting project, was to check the old paint for lead. Our house is old, after all, and if you're going to paint the interior of a house properly, you're going to have to...

State clears North Port city commissioner of ethics charge; A resident had filed a complaint about Vanessa Carusone's use of the city's seal on pizza coupons.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: dBy PATRICK WHITTLE patrick.whittle@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- Pizza and politics aren't such a bad combination after all for City Commissioner Vanessa Carusone, the state Commission on Ethics ruled this week. City...

Are you ready for camp?(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
July 31, 2004... Byline: Doug Fernandes SARASOTA -- We'll try to avoid being too campy here. But seriously, folks, that's impossible. Starting with the first practice in Orlando this morning at 8:30, it's all about camp. Not summer camp, Rick...

Venice wins again in winners' bracket; An 8-5 triumph over New Port Richey advances Venice into game at 1 this afternoon.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: BRIAN NEWBERRY CORRESPONDENT BRADENTON -- Venice won its second consecutive game in the American Legion Southwest Area Tournament to advance to the winner's bracket final. Venice topped New Port Richey Post 79 8-5 at Braden...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... New Palm-Aire staff Ken Hornbeck has been named food and beverage director at Palm-Aire Country Club. He is responsible for overseeing all the food and beverage operations at the club including the two dining rooms, lounge, club events...

2 Reds hurlers blank Red Sox.(SPORTS)
July 31, 2004... Byline: STAFF REPORT Charles O'Neal and Brad Cherry combined for a shutout Friday helping the Reds beat the Red Sox 2-0 at the City of Sarasota Complex. The two Reds pitchers combined to face the minimum 27 batters. O'Neal went six...

A wireless wake-up call: Turn off your bleeping phone.(A SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Byline: LAUREN MAYK lauren.mayk@heraldtribune.com Not long after Eleanor returned from prison, she and Henry were at it again. The estranged husband and wife were right in the middle of one of their famous rows, arguing over the fate...

CONGRATS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Ministry seeks donations The Eternal Bread of Life Ministry is seeking donations for its Second Mile Program, which provides new outfits, shoes and school supplies for children from low-income homes. Last year the program helped 400...

Briefs.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Honore Avenue contract OK'd SARASOTA COUNTY -- County officials have awarded a $2 million design contract to a Sarasota company for the expansion of Honore Avenue. Plans are to construct a new four-lane road from Bee Ridge Road to...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Arraignment set in auto-damage case NORTH PORT -- A 19-year-old North Port man suspected of damaging 20 vehicles in the city will be arraigned Aug. 20. Michael Adam Fathauer, of Mayberry Avenue, is accused of damaging the vehicles...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
July 31, 2004... Bank taking donations of school supplies ENGLEWOOD -- Donations of school supplies for area schools are being accepted at Englewood Bank. Requested items include notebooks, folders, three-ring binders, pens, pencils, markers, crayons,...

Packing a healthy lunch with pizzazz.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... Lunch does not have to be a bologna sandwich and potato chips. Here are some healthy alternatives: Pack apple slices and a small container of peanut butter for dipping. Or cut up veggies and bring a small container of salad dressing. ...

Calendar.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... Manatee County District Calendar Aug. 3 - First day for teachers Aug. 9 - First day of school Sept. 6 - Labor Day/No school Oct. 8 - Record Day/No school Oct. 15 - State Inservice Day/No school Nov. 11 - Veterans...

Finding the right pack.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... There are hundreds of choices when it comes to school backpacks. Here's how to narrow down your choice: Remember that backpacks take more abuse than your other school supplies. Be sure the one you pick is sturdy and well made. Be...

A night at the movies.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... Have a back-to-school movie night with these "vintage" school flicks from the '70s, '80s and '90s. You can look up more school-themed movies to watch at imdb.com, the Internet Movie Database. "Back to School": Millionaire businessman...

Get on schedule.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... School bus schedules are maintained online by the school districts. To link to your school district's schedule, go to heraldtribune.com/schoolbus. About this section Photographer, cover photo illustration and bus illustration, left:...

Calendar.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... Charlotte County District Calendar Aug. 3 - First day for teachers Aug. 9 - First day of school Sept. 6 - Labor Day/No school Oct. 15 - Inservice Day/No school Nov. 5 - Inservice Day/No school Nov. 24-26 -...

Calendar.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... Sarasota County District Calendar Aug. 3 - First day for Teachers Aug. 9 - First day of school Sept. 6 - Labor Day/No school Sept. 7 - Professional Day/No school Oct. 15 - State Inservice Day/No school Nov. 11 -...

Contacts.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Wednesday, August 4, 2004: Correction: Gary Norris is the Sarasota County school superintendent. In a special section published Saturday, Gene Witt was listed as the interim...

Contacts.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... (Manatee County) District contacts 215 Manatee Ave. W. Bradenton, FL 34205 www.manatee.k12.fl.us Superintendent Roger Dearing School Board Chairwoman Barbara Harvey, Frank Brunner, Harry Kinnan, Walter...

Contacts.(BACK TO SCHOOL)
July 31, 2004... (Charlotte County) District contacts 1445 Education Way Port Charlotte, FL 33948 www.ccps.k12.fl.us Superintendent David Gayler School Board Chairwoman Andrea Messina, Sue Sifrit, Lee Swift, Connie Kantor...

Superintendent gets thumbs up; David Gayler gets a good evaluation, but concerns are expressed about the county's high schools.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Byline: KIM HACKETT kim.hackett@heraldtribune.com PORT CHARLOTTE -- Good job, with room for improvement -- that's the message the Charlotte County School Board gave to Superintendent David Gayler in a preliminary evaluation Thursday....

'Ten Unknowns' looks at artistic morals.(TICKET)
July 30, 2004... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- The play "Ten Unknowns" explores the tensions between art and commercialism, and also asks audiences to consider who bears ultimate responsibility for a piece of art....

Benefit bash, poetry highlight week of diverse offerings.(B SECTION)(Column)
July 30, 2004... Byline: Amy Abern A Chinese poet, immortality, weathering art, young be-boppers, seasoned performers and basketweaving. This is what comprises this week's smorgasbord of arts offerings in the region. A good time for a good cause ...

Florida festivals require planning.(TICKET)(Admit One)(Column)
July 30, 2004... Byline: Rod Harmon Today marks the kick-off of the summer concert festival season. Yes, I know summer is almost over. And yes, I know shows that have already made their way through Tampa Bay -- such as the Cure's "Curiosa Tour" --...

Last Great Hope has big dreams.(TICKET)(MAKING NOISE)(Column)
July 30, 2004... Byline: SONIE LASKER CORRESPONDENT VENICE -- Last Great Hope creates an alternative, contemporary sound punctured by ZZ Top-inspired guitar riffs and texturized with harmonic vocals. You'd never know it was created by the son of a...

Digging up the naked truth about 'Showgirls'.(TICKET)(Primal Screen)(Column)
July 30, 2004... Byline: Amanda Schurr An introductory disclaimer: The feature, uh, featured in the following column has been rated NC-17, which according to the MPAA, means it's not suitable for folks under 18. Of course, that taboo, "artsy"...

D-Rays make it three in a row; Starting pitcher Rob Bell and a trio of relievers combine on a four-hitter to blank the Royals.(SPORTS)
July 30, 2004... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- A month ago, a column in the Kansas City Star suggested the Rays have the kind of team the Royals would love: young, talented and full of potential. As...

Lakewood Ranch to get Goodwill drop-off center.(BUSINESS)
July 30, 2004... Byline: STAFF REPORT LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Goodwill Industries-Manasota Inc. is planning to open a drop-off center -- its 34th -- in this fast-growing community this fall. The center will be in the new shopping plaza at 9116 Town Center...

Volunteers bring community theater productions to life.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Byline: Suzanne Marschner Mattes From "Side Show" to "Anton in Show Business," area community theaters have chosen an interesting and sure to be entertaining mix of plays and musicals for the 2004-05 arts season. But before the...

Warped in Florida; Yellowcard headllines alternative nad punk music tour on its home turf.(TICKET)
July 30, 2004... Byline: MARY AWOSIKA mary.awosika@heraldtribune.com ST. PETERSBURG -- Yellowcard is leading the pack of alternative rock and punk bands battling it out on stage all summer long as part of the Vans Warped Tour. And on its home turf,...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Man accused of cocaine trafficking PORT CHARLOTTE -- Authorities say a man arrested for cocaine trafficking used a police radio set to the frequency the sheriff's narcotics detectives use. Detectives on Wednesday arrested Demeco...

POLICE BLOTTER.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Compiled from Charlotte County sheriff's and Punta Gorda police reports filed through July 29. PORT CHARLOTTE Gladis Avenue, 21100 block, July 29. A person who tried to break into a vehicle ran away after being spotted. Dalton...

Eight questions.(SPORTS)
July 30, 2004... Byline: Tom Balog Staff writer Tom Balog tracks down the answeres to eight key questions facing the Buccaneers going into training camp, which begins Saturday. (8 questions:) 1 Will Keenan McCardell hold out and will the Bucs'...

Sarasota County schools budget would tap reserves.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Byline: CHRISTINA DeNARDO christina.denardo@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- School Board members have approved a tentative budget that lowers the property tax rate but dips into the district's reserves to make ends meet. The...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
July 30, 2004... Hochmann joins Re/Max Suncoast Danny Hochmann has joined Re/Max Suncoast Realty's office at 1751 Mound St., Suite 107, in downtown Sarasota. He was previously with Milo Realty in Port Charlotte and has more than three years of...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Clerk, tax collector to open east offices MANATEE COUNTY -- The Manatee County clerk and tax collector announced Thursday that they will open a Lakewood Ranch office next March. The new office, at State Road 70 and Lakewood Ranch...

Small is better to some at the Playhouse camp.(B SECTION)
July 30, 2004... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com ENGLEWOOD -- While the kids in a recent production of "Peter Pan" flew through the air at Lemon Bay High School, the greatest technological challenge for the Lemon Bay Playhouse...

Bradenton's Trailside ends live music with rockabilly hoedown.(TICKET)(The Noise Ordinance)(Column)
July 30, 2004... Byline: Dawn E. Scire Saturday's concert at the Trailside Sports Bar (1301 Eighth Ave. W., 750-0980) in Bradenton really is the last for awhile, promoter, musician and soon-to-be-father Doug Holland said. Yes, he also said this a...