Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from July 2005

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from July 2005

Hawaii trip creates hullabaloo for county commissioners.(A SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: CORY SCHOUTEN cory.schouten@heraldtribune.com For years, local commissioners have traveled out of state for National Association of Counties conferences -- one of which is always held in Washington, D.C. Others have been in Phoenix...

Some burning questions; Can you buy firecrackers? Depends on whom -- or what -- you ask.(A SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- Bill Vaeretti sells bottle rockets and firecrackers, and he's not trying to hide it. Just read the sign in the window of his store on U.S. 41 in Nokomis. ...

Commissioning a travelogue; 'What I Did on My Summer Vacation/Conference'.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... The news that five commissioners from Sarasota and Manatee counties are headed to Hawaii for a National Association of Counties conference next month undoubtedly has some taxpayers crying, "Book 'em, Dano!" But perhaps we shouldn't be so...

Civil service; Marathon meeting could help county, city change ways.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... Few things in life are more boring than a five-hour meeting. Yet residents of North Port and Sarasota County should be grateful to their elected leaders for enduring a marathon session Tuesday night -- and, most important, for making the...

Impound rules are reality this week; Teams aren't allowed to work on the car after qualifying for Saturday night's Pepsi 400 at DIS.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: JODY ROYCE jody.royce@heraldtribune.com DAYTONA BEACH -- For NASCAR drivers, the slogan has been: Run what you brung... and make adjustments later. Those adjustments, however, are done in select races, but not for the...

Rogers: bad, bad camera.(SPORTS)(Comment)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Doug Fernandes SARASOTA -- Who knew existed a parallel Barry Bonds? The American League's version of the surly San Francisco Giant. Smaller in size, paler in complexion, similar in crassness. Natives of the Lone Star State...

Onlookers and racers will see a much-shorter course.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Fans accustomed to watching the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix from Siesta Key beaches will not be able to view this year's race unless they move to Lido Key or have a private boat...

AREA TRACKS.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Bradenton Motorsports Park ADDRESS: 2100 State Road 64 E. TELEPHONE: (941) 748-1329 DIRECTIONS (Both tracks): Nine miles east on State Road 64, off I-75. DeSoto Super Speedway ADDRESS; 2100 State Road 64 E. ...

Four area teams fall in openers.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT It was a tough opening night Wednesday for the four area Little League teams in the District 9 tournament. All four opened pool play with a setback, although three were very competitive games. Host Fort Myers...

Just keep looking for clean water.(SPORTS)(Outdoors)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Steve Gibson Jonnie Walker, the dean of Sarasota charter skippers, thinks the latest bout of red tide just might be the lengthiest that he can remember. This bloom showed up in January and has pretty much stuck around. It...

Sarasota shuts out South Lakeland, 12-0.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: CHRIS DELL CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Parker Liston pitched a two-hit shutout to lead Sarasota to a 12-0 victory over South Lakeland in opening round play of the Cal Ripken Florida 12B State Tournament Thursday night at the 12th...

Pirates, Twins split doubleheader.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT FORT MYERS -- The Pirates pounded out 13 hits for a 6-1 win in the second game of a doubleheader to salvage a split with the Twins on Thursday at the Lee County Sports Complex. In the first game, the Twins...

SASA meeting slated for July 12.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Sarasota Area Softball Association will hold the first meeting for the Summer Sunday Night League for the men's teams beginning at 6 p.m. July 12 at the 17th Street Park softball complex. All fees and rosters...

Correction.(BUSINESS)(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance will meet July 21 at 4 p.m. at Manatee Community College, Lakewood Ranch campus, 7131 Professional Parkway E., Sarasota. An item in Wednesday's business section gave an incorrect date. For more information,...

Manatee Memorial offers Net registration.(BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KATHLEEN McLAUGHLIN kathleen.mclaughlin@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Manatee Memorial Hospital is allowing patients to register themselves online, joining the industry march toward automation and possibly to more convenient...

A cool breeze you can carry.(BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... The Keychain Water Misting Fan from O2-Cool allows you to have a cool mist and breeze in the palm of your hand. Based in Chicago, O2-Cool has been selling the larger Squeeze Breeze Water Misting Fan for a number of years. The smaller...

Everyone's toasting state's new wine law; Wining diners can now take an unfinished bottle home with them.(BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: JOHN HEYS john.heys@heraldtribune.com Starting today, diners have another option when that $200 bottle of merlot sits almost empty after dinner's done: Doggie-bag it. Many Southwest Florida restaurant owners are welcoming...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
July 1, 2005... Reddington joins Michael Saunders Kevin Reddington has joined Michael Saunders & Company as an associate in the Palmer Ranch office. He specializes in residential properties in Osprey, Nokomis and Venice. Manatee Chamber schedules...

It's (past) time; Old courthouse needs a verdict on its future.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... The Charlotte County commissioners decided Tuesday to discuss the old county courthouse at their next meeting July 12. "I think it's time," Commission Chairwoman Sara Devos said. We think so, too. In fact, a discussion about the possible...

Corrections.(B SECTION)(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... * In a story in Wednesday's Charlotte Herald-Tribune about discipline handed out to contractors by the Punta Gorda Building Board, the length of one penalty was incorrect. ICC General Contractors of Tampa was placed on 60 days' probation. ...

Voyeuristic coach gets 7-month term.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KRISTEN KRIDEL kristen.kridel@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- In his closing statement to the jury, defense attorney C. Michael Fischer asked the six-member panel to find his client guilty, then corrected himself. "The...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Many offices closed Monday for holiday Many public facilities in Sarasota and Charlotte counties will be closed Monday for the July Fourth holiday. Several public services normally performed on Mondays will also be postponed. ...

Her eyes have seen the glory...(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: AMY ABERNamy.abern@heraldtribune.com Every time Maestra Janita Hauk, the conductor of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, introduced a patriotic piece about to be played during last week's "Symphonic Fireworks" show, her voice...

This man's new business is his castle; Coming soon to Port Charlotte: a place where comedy is king.(B SECTION)(Englewood Spotlight)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Amy Abern It's about time. A doctor, a lawyer, a mechanic and a duck all walk into a bar... There's a punch line coming, and if Mark Asciutto has anything to do with it, that punch line will be delivered one night in The...

Audit says Democratic leader unaware of finance goofs.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: JOE FOLLICK CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- With a hopeful tone that the bottom had finally been reached, representatives of the Florida Democratic Party said Thursday an audit showed no money missing and no intentional fraud in the...

Head offshore for good tarpon fishing.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com If tarpon are in your plans, make sure you get out early. "The bite has been good early, but then it stops," said Robert Lugiewicz of Fishin' Frank's in Charlotte Harbor. "In fact,...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
July 1, 2005... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Charles A. Cerecke Charles A. Cerecke, 75, Punta Gorda, died June 30, 2005. He was born Dec. 26, 1929, in St. Joseph, Mich., and came to the area in 1992 from there, having wintered here since 1985. He served in...

Sweet Adelines bring their harmonies to the world.(B SECTION)(Arts Around Town)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Francine Milford Sitting in on one the rehearsals of the sweet music of the Venetian Harmony Chorus Sweet Adelines is like sitting in on your own private concert. The ladies, from Venice, North Port and other surrounding...

Endowment fund helps Hospice.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: FRANCINE MILFORD francine.milford@heraldtribune.com Soon after her husband Robert passed away, Venice resident and real estate broker Laura Kopple was able to make one of his wishes come true. "Bob's last wish was to set up an...

Venice couple help celebrate planetarium's re-opening.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: FRANCINE MILFORDfrancine.milford@heraldtribune.com Most of us will never have the opportunity to soar through the stars and beyond our own solar system. That is, unless you visit the Bishop Planetarium in Bradenton and take...

A hero shall lead them; Parade's grand marshal cheated death in WWII.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KIM HACKETTkim.hackett@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- When North Port announced "Celebrate our Heroes" as the theme for Monday's Freedom Parade, there was no doubt in the minds of Charles McLaughlin's friends that he should be...

North Port's YMCA just about ready to open.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KIM HACKETT kim.hackett@heraldtribune.com Workers are installing the last of the stairclimbers and putting finishing touches on the walls at the new North Port YMCA, now in the Al Goll Recreation Center on Greenwood Avenue. A...

Art Guild brings out arts skills.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Kim Hackettkim.hackett@heraldtribune.com The North Port Area Art Guild has a variety of programs and exhibits to inspire the artist in everyone. To see how the true artists do it, visit the Tarpon Springs Bank on U.S. 41, north...

Rural regulation; 'Ranchettes' in east Manatee warrant more scrutiny.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... Manatee County officials need to accelerate a review of overly permissive rules for subdivisions in rural communities. Developers plan to build 185 houses on roughly 1,110 acres in Myakka City, at the southeastern end of the county near...

Districts 16, 26 facing changes.(SPORTS)
July 1, 2005... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT For the first time in more than 25 years, area Little League Baseball will have a new look when all-star tournament play begins today, and more changes are on the way. The landscape is rapidly changing...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Sex offenders to file storm shelter plans MANATEE COUNTY -- Registered sex offenders who decide to go to a county shelter before a hurricane must tell their probation officer which shelter, the Sheriff's Office said Thursday. The...

A little one-on-two.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Many kids are looking for something to do over the summer, and when all else fails, the neighborhood basketball court is a place to meet friends and play a little hoops. Bradenton residents Jerry Navarrete, 14, left, Angel Viruet, 15, top, and...

Man sues Palmetto, claiming he was mauled by police dog.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KATHLEEN CULLINAN kathleen.cullinan@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- A Bradenton man is suing the city of Palmetto because he says his face was mauled by a police dog as he hid from officers in a swamp. Eric Pace, 19, was...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Closed for holiday MANATEE COUNTY -- County government and city public offices will be closed Monday in observance of the Fourth of July holiday. Manatee County Courthouse, post offices and libraries will also be closed, and buses will...

Family of teen killed in crash sues driver.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Family members of a teenager who was struck and killed on a dirt bike in April claim in a wrongful death lawsuit that the truck driver who ran over the boy is...

Girl's passion for oceans wins entry into NOAA marine science program.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: YVETTE KIMM yvette.kimm@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Since she was just a toddler, Becca Cook has been fascinated by the ocean and all its life. "I've wanted to be a marine biologist since I was 3," said Becca, now 15...

Project Light celebrates 10 years.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: FRAN WALSH CORRESPONDENT Project Light of Manatee Inc., a literacy organization that offers English classes and one-on-one tutoring free to migrants and others who want to improve their English skills, recently celebrated its 10th...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
July 1, 2005... MANATEE COUNTY Roger P. Blais Roger P. Blais, 65, Bradenton, died June 23, 2005. He was born Feb. 2, 1940, in Lewiston, Maine. He was a Marine. Survivors include his wife, Theresa; daughters Andrea, Annette, Diane and Lindy;...

FAMU trustees tackle school's wide array of problems.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- Forty-one employees have been fired because of payroll discrepancies. The school will lose its golf, swimming and tennis programs. Administrators must find $1.4 million to settle a...

North Port is fastest-growing small city in state, says Census; Over a four-year period, its population grew 54.7 percent.(A SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: LIZ BABIARZ and ERIN BRYCE STAFF WRITERS NORTH PORT -- More people have moved to North Port than to Fort Lauderdale, St. Petersburg or Daytona Beach in the last four years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. North Port was...

It could get harder for county to justify reopening Midnight Pass.(B SECTION)(Comment)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rod Thomson A few phrases and tweaks buried in bureaucratic jargon could mean Midnight Pass won't be reopened between Siesta and Casey keys. Sarasota County is grinding through layers of government to obtain approval to reopen...

Correction.(B SECTION)(Correction Notice)
July 1, 2005... *Michael LaFevers, a Democratic candidate for the 13th Congressional District race, said he is a community activist. An article Thursday mentioned an incorrect occupation for him.

Rosin wants surgery ban lifted; Attorneys for the Sarasota dermatologist say the state's prohibition is 'overbroad'.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Lawyers for Dr. Michael A. Rosin are petitioning appeals judges to overturn a Department of Health order prohibiting the dermatologist from diagnosing skin cancer and...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Dump truck driver cited with violations SARASOTA -- A city dump truck driver who struck and killed a pedestrian last month has been charged with two moving violations. Maurice Thomas, 21, was turning left onto Lemon Avenue on the wrong...

Pouring concrete, taking a breather.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Crew leader Bill Goetluck, above, guides unfinished concrete into the driveway of a home being built in a week for Habitat for Humanity in South Venice. Thursday's work called for grading the front and back yard, pouring the driveway,...

BRIEFS.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Event for disabled planned on July 13 SARASOTA COUNTY -- Teens and adults with disabilities and their families are invited to a free celebration of National Therapeutic Recreation Week planned for July 13. The event will take place at...

Girl Scouts fly high at circus camp.(B SECTION)
July 1, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT More than 50 Girl Scouts, ages 7 to 15, prepared for a June 25 show under the big top as part of a collaboration with Tito Gaona's Fantasy Flying Circus and the Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida, Inc. The girls...

OBITUARIES.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
July 1, 2005... SARASOTA COUNTY Kenneth G. Barrick Kenneth G. Barrick, 78, North Port, died June 23, 2005. He was born Nov. 21, 1926, in Castile, N.Y., and came to North Port from there in 1991 when he retired from Monroe Muffler in Buffalo, N.Y....

And just chill.(TICKET)(Admit One)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Rod Harmon It finally felt like a Florida summer last week when I broke a sweat simply by stepping outside to get the newspaper from the driveway. Even if you've lived in the Sunshine State only a short while, you know what I'm...

Fourth of July festivities planned throughout the area.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT Toast America's 229th birthday any way you choose, with a range of celebration options from the explosive to the demure. Whether your concept of fun is "ooh-ing" and "ahh-ing" at airborne...

To the X-treme; Tony Hawk brings his Boom Boom HuckJam back to Tampa Bay.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KEVIN O'HORAN CORRESPONDENT It is not through textbooks and calculators that these young men take on the laws spelled out by Newton and Einstein. They tackle the ins and outs of velocity, momentum, force and more with boards...

Sarasota Ale House is the place to watch TV sports.(TICKET)(No Cover)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Steve Echeverria Jr. This might sting a little, Pistons fans. Don't worry, I'll scratch that scab -- the one left from last week's loss to the Spurs -- only a little. Sorry. This week's column isn't about the NBA...

Berimbau creates lush, exotic jazz.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT One guitarist calls out "B flat"; the other nods. A conversational exchange erupts with a vocabulary of staccato beats and Brazilian rhythms. Berimbau, a 6-year-old Sarasota duo, is playing at...

The Fixx gets its fix from live performances, touring.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: MARY AWOSIKA mary.awosika@heraldtribune.com Veteran '80s rock bands like The Fixx took a back seat to the short-lived grunge movement of the early 1990s, and were then overlooked as hip-hop emerged. But the recent resurgence of...

Huey Lewis and The News haven't lost blue-collar charm.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Huey Lewis and The News, "Live at 25" (Rhino): Those who question if pub band-turned-'80s-chart-toppers Huey Lewis and The News have lost their edge are answered midway through "Live at 25." The first half of their 16-track album, recorded...

Tony Curtis' surreal Vegas birthday.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: P.J. LEVINE CORRESPONDENT LAS VEGAS -- "The Circus-Circus is what the whole hep world would be doing Saturday night if the Nazis had won the war" -- Hunter S. Thompson, "Fear & Loathing In Las Vegas" Fortunately, the Nazis lost...

'Rebound' falls flat with cliches.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: MARTY CLEAR CORRESPONDENT Have you seen that movie, the one about the repulsively arrogant adult who's forced to spend some time with kids, and within a few days turns into the sweetest, most caring person you've ever met? The...

'Ladies in Lavender' has deft touch.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: PHILIP BOOTH CORRESPONDENT Judi Dench and Maggie Smith, the two accomplished 69-year-old dames of British cinema, turn in the dramatic equivalent of a brilliant extended duet in "Ladies in Lavender," an affecting period piece...

Unsatisfying 'War of the Worlds' is 'Mars Attacks' minus the laughs.(TICKET)(The Final Cut)(Column)
July 1, 2005... Byline: Glenn Lovell And all this time you thought it was the Martians who came with an agenda. In "War of the Worlds" -- aka The Movie That Was Supposed to Save the Summer -- director Steven Spielberg and star Tom Cruise have grafted...

Good Evening! Florida Studio Theatre tackles a classic British comedy.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com The late British actors Peter Cook and Dudley Moore earned a special Tony Award on Broadway in 1973 for "Good Evening," their rollicking sketch-comedy revue. More than 30...

Dali museum goes beyond surreal.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: KEVIN COSTELLO CORRESPONDENT ST. PETERSBURG -- For the first time, the Salvador Dali Museum is devoting significant space to modern art that complements its vast collection of works from its namesake. The creation of two new...

Patrons brave red tide to eat.(TICKET)
July 1, 2005... Byline: TERI M. GRIMES CORRESPONDENT It could be argued that an outbreak of red tide is not the best of circumstances in which to visit a beachside restaurant. That being said, we took our chances and headed for the Bridge Tender Inn...

Teen swimmer bitten by shark off Gasparilla; The Austrian vacationer had ventured into deep water.(A SECTION)
July 2, 2005... Byline: KEVIN DALE and KRISTEN KRIDEL STAFF WRITERS BOCA GRANDE -- An Austrian teenager swimming in a portion of the Gulf better known for fishing than bathing was airlifted to a hospital after he was attacked by a shark Friday,...

Real estate windfall flows into government coffers; Sarasota County taxable values are up nearly 20%.(A SECTION)
July 2, 2005... Byline: DOUG SWORD and WILL ROTHSCHILD STAFF WRITERS SARASOTA COUNTY -- Climbing property values will cost taxpayers in Sarasota County at least $32 million extra next year unless local governments cut tax rates. While the taxable...

FROM YOUR READER ADVOCATE.(A SECTION)(Column)
July 2, 2005... I received a variety of calls this week as reader advocate. Many calls were on issues previous advocates have addressed in the past. Two such subjects are the Showtime section and subscription issues. The television listings for Showtime...

Striking out; A political litmus test for baseball owners?(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 2, 2005... The Tampa Bay Devil Rays can breathe easier. They're no longer the most hapless club in Major League Baseball. A team of Republican lawmakers, their shoelaces tied together, has just stumbled onto the field. The bumblers are led by Rep....

Unsuitable for litigation; North Port should drop lawsuit over water.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
July 2, 2005... North Port's lawsuit against the regional water authority could waste the city's time and money. After lawyers argue and a judge rules, the city might not get a bucket more than the 1.5 million gallons of water to be set aside each day for...

The chase is on; Drivers will begin angling to make the cut with tonight's race.(SPORTS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: JODY ROYCE jody.royce@heraldtribune.com DAYTONA BEACH -- The real chase may not begin until mid-September. However, the chase to get there is well under way. Ten races remain before the Nextel Cup "Chase for the championship"...

Friendly rivals ready to rumble; Sarasotans Ryan Beckley and Dan Lawrence will be competing with the same boat and same engines.(SPORTS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: JASON SWANCEY jason.swancey@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Occasionally good sportsmanship will come back and bite you right in the outboard engine. Like last month down at the Marathon Offshore Grand Prix when local racer Ryan...

P. Charlotte National falls; South Fort Myers limits National to just three hits in 5-0 pool-play victory.(SPORTS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: CURTIS WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT CAPE CORAL -- South Fort Myers used strong pitching, good defense and timely hitting to hand Port Charlotte National a 5-0 loss in Little League Baseball District 9 pool play Friday night at...

Homers help on opening day; Justin Schutz hits walk-off HR in eighth inning to give North Port an 8-7 victory.(SPORTS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: BRIAN NEWBERRY CORRESPONDENT SARASOTA -- Home runs went a long way in deciding the outcome of three of the four contests in the District 16 11-12-year-old Little League All-Star tournament Friday. Justin Schutz came through...

NOTEBOOK.(SPORTS)
July 2, 2005... Stewart grabs Pepsi pole DAYTONA BEACH -- Tony Stewart seems to be unstoppable. The 2002 Nextel Cup Series champion added the pole for tonight's Pepsi 400 to his latest accomplishments. It is Stewart's first pole since he got the top spot...

After 7 days, Pirates win 3-2.(SPORTS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT It took five pitchers, seven days and 18 innings in two cities, but the Pirates managed a 3-2 Gulf Coast League victory over the Red Sox on Friday, in a game that suspended after 17 innings June 25 with the score tied...

State rejects rate hikes; Regulators say insurer Cincinnati Financial didn't justify the 36.7% increase.(BUSINESS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: JOHN HIELSCHER john.hielscher@heraldtribune.com State regulators shot down a proposed 36.7 percent rate increase sought by two homeowners insurers owned by Cincinnati Financial Corp. The state Office of Insurance Regulation...

Pressure rises at Pier 550; Condo owners offered more money, payable in a year.(BUSINESS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Vicki Rayfield says she just wants to gaze out the window of her tiny two-bedroom condominium at Pier 550 on Golden Gate Point and enjoy the bay view, and maybe get a...

Sarasota man linked to foam bedding scheme.(BUSINESS)
July 2, 2005... Byline: KATHLEEN McLAUGHLIN kathleen.mclaughlin@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- A 76-year-old Sarasota man is facing federal charges in an alleged scheme to defraud foam bedding manufacturers. U.S. Attorney Patrick Auld in Greensboro,...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
July 2, 2005... SCORE schedules July 9 workshop SCORE-Counselor's to America's Small Business will present a workshop "Starting/Buying a Small Business" from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. July 9 at the Venice Public Library, 300 S. Nokomis Ave. Fee is $25;...

Florida springs beat the heat with thrills and chills.(PLAY!)(Go!)(Column)
July 2, 2005... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL Spring into summer. That's today's message, folks. The natural springs of North Florida are cool -- literally, figuratively, magically -- and the hotter it gets, the better they feel. At noon on a scorching...

Free to swim; Serious swimmers and casual floaters will cross the Peace river in Monday's Freedom Swim.(PLAY!)
July 2, 2005... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL thomas.becnel@heraldtribune.com PUNTA GORDA -- The annual Freedom Swim pulls all sorts of people to the Peace River, but the few hard-core swimmers always get swamped by hundreds of easygoing floaters. It's a...