Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from June 2007

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from June 2007

GRADE-A DAY IN CHARLOTTE Local schools earn high marks and reward money for district; Statewide, inclusion of science in FCAT causes scores to drop.
June 30, 2007... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES and KEVIN DALE STAFF WRITERS None of the schools received a below-average grade. "We're pleased over all with what we've done with the grades," Assistant Superintendent Rene Desjardins said after state...

READER ADVOCATE.
June 30, 2007... We were criticized by three readers for putting the immigration bill story on 3A instead of 1A on Friday. Readers frustrated about frequently being directed to our Web site pointed out they don't have computers, don't want them and...

Unscripted violence Murder-suicide puts new focus on steroid abuse, availability.
June 30, 2007... Anabolic steroids and other prescription drugs were found inside the Benoit home. On Thursday, federal drug agents said they had raided the west Georgia office of a doctor who prescribed testosterone to Benoit. Rampant speculation...

Silently treasuring peace, quiet.
June 30, 2007... Byline: Laura Sperling I'm lucky in that regard -- usually. When the moon is up, my Sarasota street tends to be so hushed that I can distinguish the sound of a cat running through the yard. There are exceptions. Every night about 1...

FAMILY HAS VELOCITY Offshore racing helps keep the Kildahl family active and together.
June 30, 2007... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com All they have is each other, the family marine repair business in Sarasota and offshore racing. "We're still getting over it," said Kaley, about the passing of her mother, to colon cancer...

Philippoussis' reality TV show is unloved.
June 30, 2007... Byline: MIC HUBER Let's see. He is 30 and not long ago dated a girl he reportedly met while she was still in high school. Do you think a kitten or a cougar will be there at the finish? Philippoussis has his own nickname on the...

East beats West in 10-11s rivalry game.
June 30, 2007... Byline: DONNIE WILKIE CORRESPONDENT Pruett tossed a four-hitter, striking out nine in 4 2/3 innings, as East Central Sarasota beat rival West Central Sarasota 15-5 in a pool-play game. Foss, meanwhile, was 3-for-3 with a three-run,...

Manatee National, East unbeaten in 9-10 division.
June 30, 2007... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT He also had a two-run single that helped Manatee East overcome a four-run deficit and earn an 11-7 victory, Friday night in pool play of the 9-10- year-old District 26 tournament at G.T. Bray Park. "I...

Business Buzz.
June 30, 2007... WilsonMiller honored with ethics award Southwest Florida planning and engineering firm WilsonMiller Inc. recently received the 2007 Uncommon Friends Foundation Business Ethics Award, which recognizes a business that demonstrates high...

Swim for freedom on July 4.
June 30, 2007... Byline: THOMAS BECNEL I'll have to be careful about what I write and photograph, though,because the multimedia gig can be tricky. A few years ago, covering the Freedom Swim for SNN News 6, I got in trouble for trying to show a nekkid...

HAT TRICK Sporting their own shade, outdoor folks learn to beat summer heat.
June 30, 2007... Leonard Hendry keeps himself covered with a woven hat during his job at Troy's Tropics Nursery in Sarasota. At Bradenton's Paw Park, Sarasota resident Janel Wilson wears a visor that she got from a former job at a dental office. ...

TV commentators are low ebb of the America's Cup coverage.
June 30, 2007... Byline: Morgan Stinemetz There is a tradition for know-nothing announcers in the America's Cup coverage. To its everlasting discredit, ESPN teamed a golf announcer, Jim Kelly, with Jobson for several cycles. Kelly knew nothing about...

Charlotte tax base shrinks slightly Cooling real estate market means lower bill for some.
June 30, 2007... Byline: DOUG SWORD doug.sword@heraldtribune.com That drop, driven by falling real estate prices, should translate into lower property tax bills for many landowners. Falling prices have not yet dented property appraisals in other...

The duty, honor and integrity of Maj. Gen. Antonio Taguba.
June 30, 2007... Byline: Larry Evans My time in the Army almost 40 years ago was brief and quite unremarkable. My rank was as low as the daily level of my enthusiasm (I was drafted), but I always did my job. Personal experience aside, I know some...

Law speeds up boat removal Charlotte County's public waterways will be freed of derelict vessels faster.
June 30, 2007... Byline: KATE SPINNER kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com Several boats have been rotting in county waterways for a lot longer than five days. In the past, the process could take an entire year, because the county depended on the Florida...

Punta Gorda eyes flat fire fee The assessment would keep revenue sufficient for service despite tax cuts.
June 30, 2007... Byline: PATRINA A. BOSTIC patrina.bostic@heraldtribune.com "Some people would be real happy about that, and some people would be real upset," said Councilman Bill Albers. Essentially, a flat fee would protect Punta Gorda Fire and EMS...

RUNNING LOW.
June 30, 2007... Despite recent rain, conservation is needed to make sure the region has enough water to make it through next year's dry season, officials said. "We need significantly above average rainfall to pull ourselves out of this drought,"...

So many choices, so little energy to make them.
June 30, 2007... Byline: Alison Posner A simple list of of milk, cereal, bread and chocolate can turn into an arduous task. For example, Publix has an entire aisle devoted to cereal. Hot and cold cereals, sugar and sugar-free, all shapes and flavors....

IN BRIEF.
June 30, 2007... Lisa Gail Smith, 35, of the 3000 block of Pine Tree Avenue, called in a prescription for 60 Xanax pills and 50 hydrocodone tablets for a 22-year-old man, according to a police report. She identified herself only as "Carrie" and said she...

Fake $20 bills turn up.
June 30, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT A Charlotte Harbor man was arrested after he tried to use the fake bills at two stores, a Circle K and Dollar General, and to pay for a pizza delivery in Charlotte Harbor, according to a Sheriff's Office report. ...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
June 30, 2007... March 13, 1933 - June 27, 2007 Lawrence W. Colbert Sr., 74, Englewood, formerly of Windsor Locks, Conn., died June 27, 2007. A celebration of life will be for the immediate family. Survivors include his wife of 52 years, Mary; a...

BEST BETS.
June 30, 2007... Fundraiser for Katherine DuBois and David Graham. This event will be held at the Guitar Cottage today from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Food and drinks will be provided. Proceeds will help cover Katherine's funeral expenses. The Guitar Cottage is at 530 W....

Newest Salvation Army majors hope to increase services.
June 30, 2007... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com "We have known the Tanners for many years. Our children grew up together," Phil Murphy said. "We served in the same divisions. We were all in Texas together." The...

GRADE-A DAY IN SARASOTA Most schools earn highest rating, but Booker High drops to a D; Statewide, inclusion of science in FCAT causes scores to drop.
June 30, 2007... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES tiffany.lankes@heraldtribune.com But the improvements were tempered by lagging scores at the district's high schools, led by Booker, which became the first high school in the county to score a D since the state...

POOR COUNTY REPORT CARD One-third of Manatee schools earn lower grade based on FCAT; Results repeated across state; inclusion of science is blamed.
June 30, 2007... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES and ANTHONY CORMIER STAFF WRITERS And two schools, Samoset and Wakeland elementaries, could be forced into private management because of chronically low test scores. Manatee County School District officials said...

On trial, hiding in plain sigh David Otteni is acquitted after four witnesses fail to point to the right man.
June 30, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com The man in the audience? That was the defendant's brother. Four of the state's witnesses in the trial of David P. Otteni -- accused of armed trespassing at a Home Depot...

Court says deputy was wrong to enter home Officer in 2004 fatal shooting had no authority to pursue man in his house.
June 30, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com But Cooksey did not have authority to pursue Vidal Rodriguez into his house in the 1100 block of 32nd Avenue East, the 2nd District Court of Appeal in Lakeland ruled. ...

POLICE BRIEFS.
June 30, 2007... Authorities said the house, 718 Fourth Ave. W., a block north of the U.S. post office in downtown, had been under surveillance since January. Mariche Gumaro Valencia, 47, who was arrested, told police and the FBI that he made $300 a week...

BEST BETS.
June 30, 2007... TODAY Kayak Eco Tours are offered from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays during the summer at Robinson Preserve, by way of the Palma Sola Causeway, Bradenton. Native Rentals of Holmes Beach will offer kayak eco tours and dealer tryouts for...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
June 30, 2007... Jan. 28, 1950 - June 25, 2007 Kenneth M. "Mike" Jerkins, 57, lifelong resident of Sarasota, died June 25, 2007. Graveside services will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Sarasota Memorial Park. Arrangements by Toale Brothers Funeral Homes,...

5 insurers ask state for OK to raise rates Cheaper reinsurance was supposed to lead to cuts.
June 30, 2007... Byline: JOHN HIELSCHER john.hielscher@heraldtribune.com Five property insurers are seeking rate hikes in their "true-up" filings to the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation. Those filings are supposed to reflect the actual savings...

Stem cells' wonders imprisoned by politics.
June 30, 2007... Byline: Rich Brooks After all, there are hundreds of diseases and only so many research dollars to go around. And the potential cure for ALS has political opponents arrayed against it. When I was told I had amyotrophic lateral...

Gas tax is not enough for roads, officials say.
June 30, 2007... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T CAPITAL BUREAU Across the United States, gas tax revenues grew by less than one-tenth of a percent through April, compared with an annual growth rate of about 4 percent just four years ago. That might...

Blues for a model of green living Florida House staffers fear no one will pick up tab for a forced move.
June 30, 2007... Byline: LIZ BABIARZ liz.babiarz@heraldtribune.com "It's very ominous," said Richard Singer, a master conservationist at the Florida House. "We're fearful that everything the School Board and the county has reassured us -- that we will...

Man found dead in parking lot.(Obituary)
June 30, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Craig R. Monday, of the 7200 block of Captain Kidd Avenue, was found lying on the ground near Publix about 1:40 p.m. A black handgun was near his body. The plaza is located in the 6500 block of South Tamiami...

BEST BETS.
June 30, 2007... TODAY Leave your buckets and sponges at home and bring your dirty vehicle to support a worthy cause. The Keystone Club of the Lee Wetherington Boys & Girls Club will have a car wash fundraiser from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at 3100...

Selby Foundation selects Selby Scholars.
June 30, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The announcement of the awards was made by Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of the private foundation that was established in 1955 by the Selbys. Over the last 52 years, the foundation has funded more than $12...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
June 30, 2007... Feb. 22, 1956 - June 24, 2007 Ralph "Jake" Jacobs, 51, North Port, died June 24, 2007. Services were June 28 at Suncoast Worship Center, Englewood. National Cremation Society of Port Charlotte handled arrangements. Survivors...

Developer in the mirror.
June 30, 2007... Byline: Harold Bubil That would be each and every one of you who lives in a house, apartment, condominium, mobile home or any other structure than can be defined as real property. The message is simple: Quit complaining. Yes,...

Crist signs bill easing rules for condo takeovers.
June 29, 2007... Byline: KEVIN McQUAID kevin.mcquaid@heraldtribune.com "It smacks of eminent domain and terminates the contracts of every single condo in Florida," said Gayle Wardner, a Siesta Key condo owner who has led a fight against the legislation....

HOLIDAY MEETS HUMP DAY Eager to take a long holiday weekend next week? Better check the calendar: July 4 is a Wednesday.
June 29, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com "We weren't going to stay out until 1 or 2 a.m. and get up and go to work the next day," said Kimble, a medical records specialist. "Everyone backed out." Celebrating the nation's...

Educators shift focus: More drills, less play Some are worried that young children may be losing out on creativity time.(FCAT GIVING YOUNG STUDENTS AN EDGE)
June 29, 2007... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES tiffany.lankes@heraldtribune.com The summer school student at Bradenton's Daughtrey Elementary stumbles but keeps going. "He put the end of his nose in the hole," the boy reads. The sentence actually says, "He...

Safety is not child's play U.S. needs to keep a close eye on Chinese imports.
June 29, 2007... That's right. Kerosene. In recent weeks, Americans have been warned about the hidden dangers in a variety of Chinese-made products, including toothpaste, pet food and other goods laced with a sweet-tasting chemical that is better known...

A planning disagreement Dispute over Venice development could have a positive effect.
June 29, 2007... This is an opportunity for both sides to test -- and express and strengthen -- their commitment to the planning agreement and its concepts. The 46-acre Bella Citta would be on the west side of Pinebrook Road and the north side of...

White Sox complete sweep Rays hit road; Tampa Bay pitchers continue to rack up the strikeouts, but continue to lose games as well.
June 29, 2007... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com For the fourth straight night, the Kane's Furniture sign in centerfield at Tropicana Field lit up and a siren rang after the Devil Rays pitchers struck out 10 White Sox batters, meaning free...

IMG's Kadji to announce he'll go to Florida.
June 29, 2007... Byline: DONNIE WILKIE CORRESPONDENT The 240-pound center plans to announce today a nonbinding oral commitment to the two-time reigning national champions. Kadji chose from among three suitors -- Florida, Memphis and Kansas State. He...

Life about to change for boys from Florida.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Doug Fernandes You made history at Florida this season, the three-headed nucleus of the first team in college ever to repeat as national champs with the same starting five. You did it again Thursday night. Never before had...

RAYS NOTEBOOK.
June 29, 2007... Rays are road warriors The Devil Rays will start a 10-game road trip leading into the All-Star break when Edwin Jackson (1-8) takes the mound against Jake Westbrook (1-3) at 7:05 p.m. in Cleveland today. After being a strong home...

SaraReds stave off Cards' rally for win.
June 29, 2007... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT West Division first-half champion Sarasota (4-4 in the second half, 47-31 overall) got out to a 6-0 lead after four innings and then held off a late rally by Palm Beach (5-3, 41-37) for an 8-5 victory in...

North Port's Espinal delivers in clutch.
June 29, 2007... Byline: DONNIE WILKIE CORRESPONDENT Anthony Espinal. The reliever got a bases-loaded strikeout to end the fourth inning, retired the first four batters he faced and let his defense do the rest as North Port beat East Central Sarasota...

P.C. National, Punta Gorda roll Nats overcome 3 homers by Marlon Nava; Punta Gorda needs 4 innings.
June 29, 2007... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com In the second game, Punta Gorda needed four innings to top DeSoto 12-0. Nava accounted for all Murdock's runs with three home runs -- a solo shot in the first, a two-run...

Port Charlotte angler lands Goliath Gulf catch.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Steve Gibson "It was my biggest Goliath grouper ever," said Lugiewicz. The accompanying map is designed to help readers find out what fish are hitting where. 1 Jim Zacharias of the Dee-Jay II out of Parrot Cove Marina...

IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, APPLE GEEKS AREN'T SOLD.
June 29, 2007... Byline: DEVONA WALKER devona.walker@heraldtribune.com Long lines have already formed in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Orlando. But here in Southwest Florida, the situation has been quiet, hinting that the number of early...

Charges may get attorney disbarred Lawyer's Sarasota office is focus of complaints.
June 29, 2007... Byline: TOM BAYLES tom.bayles@heraldtribune.com Dennis Hernandez of the Dennis Hernandez & Associates law firm is now facing a 54-page disciplinary complaint filed in May that will be heard by a Pinellas County judge at the direction of...

Michael Saunders adds veteran brokers to team Saunders says she had been interested in buying Strom & Strom for some time.
June 29, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Stroms made it clear that one part of their decision to sell was the challenging real estate market in Southwest Florida. Tapping into Saunders' broad marketing ability was another consideration, they said. ...

Business Buzz.
June 29, 2007... Bradenton tool maker honored for drill work Lexington Cutter, a Bradenton-based manufacturer of carbide-tipped and solid carbide cutting tools used primarily in metal removal, has received the 2007 American Eagle Value-Added Manufacturer...

Will the stock market follow its trend with a repeat summer rally this year?
June 29, 2007... Byline: Lauren Rudd Depending on your individual preferences, July Fourth can have a variety of interpretations. If you are the outdoor type, it means the official start of the beach and barbecue season. For others, it is a time to lie...

Potter ... the rest of the story.
June 29, 2007... Byline: David Grimes Security surrounding the ending of the series has been extremely tight to the point that the White House and CIA may want to get some tips from publishing houses if they want to plug their leaks. Author J.K....

Ode to the Tentatorium Temporary venue filled a void in the community.
June 29, 2007... The county parks department's catchy name for the temporary tent helped turn the tide. The Tentatorium filled a void in the community by replacing the Memorial Auditorium, which Hurricane Charley destroyed. And the Federal Emergency...

IN BRIEF.
June 29, 2007... Authorities said that 12 stores did not sell alcohol to a minor during the Tuesday sting, a joint effort of Punta Gorda detectives andinvestigators from the state Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. Arrested were: Penny...

Man adds $10,000 to Coralrose reward.
June 29, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT "Six years old, for God's sake," Wasserman said. "Of course it's not going to bring her back. But maybe it will stop whoever did it from doing it again." The first-grader was found dead near the family's North...

Pitcher's performance off the charts.
June 29, 2007... Byline: ALAN DELL H-T CORRESPONDENT "I don't know how it happened. I started throwing a baseball before I could write," he said. "I thought about being a switch hitter and I might try it someday, but I am happy with the way things are...

Children having a slimy summer.
June 29, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Slimy Science is one of several classes that will be repeated in the second summer session at the Cultural Center starting in July. A less hectic and more serious class is "Pottery for Teens,"...

Civil Air Patrol to help protect Freedom swimmers.
June 29, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT The agencies will join forces to be sure boaters respect the no-wake, idle-only, restricted zone established by the Coast Guard. The CAP also will add ground radio support from its headquarters...

Kay to return to defend late model victory.
June 29, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Also racing will be Fastrucks, Fastkids, Mini Cups, Sportsman, Road Warriors and Pro 4s. It will be Boy Scouts Of America's Pine Wood Derby Night at the 3/8-mile paved oval. Charlotte County Motorsports...

Rare tripletail haul recorded this week at Bayshore Pier.
June 29, 2007... Byline: STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com They rarely are caught at the Bayshore Pier. However, six tripletail were caught this week at the pier, according to Robert Lugiewicz of Fishin' Frank's in Charlotte Harbor. "It has...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
June 29, 2007... April 25, 1928 - June 24, 2007 George W. "Bill" Day, 79, Englewood, formerly of Moorestown, N.J., died June 24, 2007. Arrangements by Lemon Bay Funeral Homes, Englewood Chapel. Survivors include a son, James W. Hooker of...

Roller hockey earning new fans.
June 29, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT Finally, Laurel joined her sister and the boys. By the time rain forced an end to the class, both girls had made up their minds -- they like inline hockey. "The girls have been skating at the...

Ferry mate lands big one -- a free fishing charter.
June 29, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Civil Air Patrol will help protect Freedom Swimmers The Charlotte County Composite Squadron Civil Air Patrol will monitor the safety of participants in the annual Fourth of July Freedom Swim across the Peace...

Elderhostel program gives seniors a whole new outlook.
June 29, 2007... Byline: ALEX DiSCLAFANI CORRESPONDENT Sarasota Elderhostel Director Lynne Anast gave a brief presentation June 21 to an audience of 20. Anast spoke extensively about Elderhostel's mission, shared program anecdotes and discussed more...

Smooth sailing for summer campers.
June 29, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT "The one thing we require from the students is a good attitude," said Bob Hill instructor and member of the Englewood Sailing Association, who in cooperation with the Warren Loranger Family YMCA and...

Disturbing trend Manatee's rising crime rate requires state and local solutions.
June 29, 2007... Besides the sheriff's badge, Steube inherited a growing problem with violent and nonviolent crime. In 2006, the county's overall crime rate rose 6.2 percent, hitting the highest point in four years. Steube attributes much of the increase...

Latinos can get answers at home and health expo.
June 29, 2007... Byline: CHRISTINA E. SANCHEZ christina.sanchez@heraldtribune.com Mortgage brokers, lenders, homeowner insurance companies and credit scores can be daunting for anyone. For Latinos who move here and perhaps have not mastered English,...

News of Record.
June 29, 2007... JUNE 13-19 Avoine, Normand and Evadney Elaine Walker. Benard, Matthew Justin and Hollie Rebecca Briggs. Boulanger, Charles Ernest and Linda Games. Boyd, Ryan Tavares and Akila Elayne Washington. Brebaugh, Michael Anthony...

IN BRIEF.
June 29, 2007... "They were months behind," Hildreth said of Michael and Barbara Mendison, owners of the dance company. The Mendisons were not immediately available to comment. According to their Web site, the dance company will be moving to Grand Slam...

POLICE BRIEFS.
June 29, 2007... The burglary happened at Detective Dan Curry's home in the Mill Creek subdivision. There was no sign of forced entry to the unmarked patrol vehicle, sheriff's spokesman Dave Bristow said. Authorities said the 9 mm gun that was stolen did...

BEST BETS.
June 29, 2007... TODAY Veteran Celia Szelwach leads a Women Veterans Network support group from 5:30 to 7 p.m. the fourth Friday of each month at the Women's Resource Center of Manatee, 1926 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. Those attending share stories and...

Craftsman is on the cutting edge of custom knife trade.
June 29, 2007... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT Earlier this month, Renner earned Blade Magazine's award for the best new knife maker of 2007 at the Blade Show and International Cutlery Fair in Atlanta. Out of more than 20 items by other...

Selby Foundation selects 35 students for Scholar Awards.
June 29, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The announcement of the awards was made by Debra Jacobs, president and CEO of the private foundation that was established in 1955 by the Selbys. Over the last 52 years, the foundation has funded more than $12...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
June 29, 2007... April 23, 1974 - June 25, 2007 Deanna Lynn Peterson, 33, Sarasota, died June 25, 2007. Services will be at 11 a.m., Saturday at Sarasota Baptist Church, Proctor Road. Deanna opened her arms to the Lord on this given day strong...

Schools chief needs a lesson in character.
June 29, 2007... Byline: Tom Lyons On Saturday morning, he met with Constance White-Davis, the new principal at Booker High, after the school's gossip system started humming with word that she was resigning. No other principal's job is half as high...

Anti-tax activists work against January amendment vote.
June 29, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL POLLICK michael.pollick@heraldtribune.com "We need it to fail," said John Hallman, a Boca Raton-based property tax consultant who is working closely with Orlando-based Ax the Tax. Along with a number of other members...

Agency formed without funding Regional transportation authority off to bad start, Sarasota officials fear.
June 29, 2007... Byline: FRANK GLUCK frank.gluck@heraldtribune.com In May, Crist vetoed $1 million in start-up funds for the authority, leaving some local officials to wonder how the group will get anything done. "I'm very pleased he (Crist) signed...

Accused spouse owed $40,000 Man, 95, had refused to pay for his wife's care; he died on Wednesday.
June 29, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com A day after the director told Stittsworth that he and his wife had to relocate, a Westminster employee said she saw Stittsworth try to kill his 93-year-old wife, Ruth, by...