Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from March 2005

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from March 2005

Sarasota sheriff considers faith-based jail program.(A SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: MIKE SAEWITZ mike.saewitz@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA COUNTY -- The Sheriff's Office is considering turning part of a nearly empty, $20 million jail annex into a faith-based facility for inmates interested in religion. If...

Sarasota City Commission; We recommend Martin and Palmer in runoff for at-large seats.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
March 31, 2005... The March 8 City Commission election played out like a preliminary heat at a track meet, whittling down a crowded field of competitors. Now, the main event -- the runoff -- is under way to determine the ultimate winners. At stake are...

IRS gets serious; Efforts to nab high-income tax cheats should continue.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
March 31, 2005... When the Internal Revenue Service added 2,200 employees to its enforcement team last year, many tax cheats probably responded with yawns and giggles. After all, they'd heard threats many times before -- with little consequence. But,...

Ruffin commits to BSC.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Lecory Ruffin, who led the Lakewood Ranch High boys basketball team in scoring and rebounding this past season, has verbally committed to Birmingham Southern College. Visiting...

Bay comes back swinging.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: TOM BALOG tom.balog@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Returning from his wrist injury, Jason Bay needed just one at-bat to captivate fans like he did last year and give the Pittsburgh Pirates more reason to expect their 2004...

Spring eternal; After more than a month of 'practice' baseball, most players are ready for the real season.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: DOUG FERNANDES doug.fernandes@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- Little room remained in the bed of the 18-wheeler parked Wednesday outside the Reds' clubhouse at Ed Smith Stadium. Destination: Cincinnati. Team and personal...

Three women bowlers in tiny Arkansas town encounter trouble with a capital 'T'.(SPORTS)(Bowling)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Bill Herald Don't tell bowlers or bowling officials in Mena, Ark., that they must follow the rules. Better yet, if you're a bowler thinking of moving to the small town (population 6,000) in southwest Arkansas, you may be wise...

The Masters, the year's 1st major, only a week away.(SPORTS)(Golf)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Mark Cardon The PGA Tour pros have been talking about it since they arrived in Florida in early March. The Masters. The first major of the year. It is the toughest and one of the most expensive tickets in sports to obtain....

AREA COURSE REVIEW.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Heron Creek Golf and Country Club * ADDRESS: 5301 Heron Creek Blvd., North Port, 34287 * PHONE: (941) 423-6955 * YEAR OPENED: 1999 * ARCHITECT: Arthur Hills * OWNERS: Heron Creek Associates LTD * HEAD PRO: Duncan...

Responsibility goes with his reputation.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Tom Fazio was in Sarasota recently to check the progress of the Ritz-Carlton Members Club, an 18-hole course he designed. The site being developed is off Lorraine Road between University Parkway and State Road 70. He took a break from his...

PIRATES NOTEBOOK.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... * Pittsburgh acquired catcher David Ross from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for cash, a deal that was sparked by backup catcher Humberto Cota suffering a strained left oblique Monday against the Phillies. * Pittsburgh reassigned...

Red Sox top Rays; Fossum hit hard.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com FORT MYERS -- A day after losing the final spot in the final rotation to Hideo Nomo, left-hander Casey Fossum allowed six runs in three innings of relief as the Tampa Bay...

Lancers pull out 3-2 win over Hillsborough.(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT BRADENTON -- Manatee Community College pulled out a 3-2 win at home over Hillsborough CC Wednesday night to improve 29-7 on the season. The Lancers' (29-7, 10-2) Kevin Clark singled to right field to plate Larry...

Sailors still unbeaten (16-0).(SPORTS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Immediately after releasing his first pitch, Sarasota pitcher Jake Hlavach wanted it back. And as the fastball hung over the plate, he knew it looked juicy to Lakewood...

Hospital sells health agency.(BUSINESS)
March 31, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT BRADENTON -- A Kentucky- based company is buying Florida Home Health from Manatee Memorial Hospital for $3.2 million. Almost Family Inc., a Nasdaq- traded company based in Louisville, Ky., said it will pay $2.5...

Business Buzz.(BUSINESS)
March 31, 2005... ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Friday, April 01, 2005: Correction: The phone number for Great Florida Insurance is 756-4453. An incorrect number appeared in Wednesday's edition ***** J.D. Pool Works...

When clocks go mad.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: David Grimes In yet another example of how technology is out to kill us, scientists at MIT recently announced the invention of a new alarm clock called, appropriately enough, Clocky, that is designed to roust even the heaviest of...

Booker ensemble has 'perfect' pitch.(FLORIDA WEST)
March 31, 2005... Byline: CHARLIE HUISKING charlie.huisking@heraldtribune.com Booker High School didn't have a Vocal Jazz Ensemble until last year. Now, the school has one of the best in the country. In Boston this month, the ensemble won first place...

Three FST theaters have generous friends.(FLORIDA WEST)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Marjorie North Philanthropists Bob and Bonny Israeloff of Longboat Key were honored with a special party at Florida Studio Theatre celebrating the couple's donation that will help renovate the Keating Theatre, among other things....

VLT's 'Extremities' tense, thought-provoking.(FLORIDA WEST)
March 31, 2005... Byline: SUSAN L. RIFE susan.rife@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- There are warning signs taped to the doors of Venice Little Theatre's Stage II, and the following message is included in every program: "The play contains intense sexual...

Beloved rabbi put humanity before belief system.(FLORIDA WEST)
March 31, 2005... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT Rabbi Sanford E. Saperstein's interfaith message of unity and social justice shook communities across both Jewish and Catholic lines. And people clung to his compassionate notion that humanity is...

Charlotte girl has E. coli disease; The kidney ailment has stricken 22 people who went to petting zoos at two fairs in the state.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: KEVIN DALE kevin.dale@heraldtribune.com A Charlotte County girl has contracted a life-threatening kidney disease caused by a dangerous strain of E. coli bacteria. The girl, who has been in Cape Coral Hospital since last week,...

The rebirth of Morton's; Store moves along with reconstruction.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JAMIE MANFUSO jamie.manfuso@heraldtribune.com PORT CHARLOTTE -- Before Hurricane Charley turned it to rubble, Morton's Ace Hardware was somewhere people went to buy an oddball plumbing part, get how-to advice, or just grab a...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Meeting to address mitigation grants PUNTA GORDA -- Federal grants to help homeowners, businesses and governments protect their properties from future disasters will be the topic of a public workshop from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at...

Correction.(B SECTION)(Correction Notice)
March 31, 2005... * An item in Wednesday's Herald-Tribune about Saturday's Park Forest parade was incorrect. The parade is for Park Forest residents only; it is not open to the public.

String quartet soars in intimate setting.(B SECTION)(Art Beat)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Naomi Donson Chapter South of the Florida West Coast Symphony Association capped off the last in its season of musical mornings on March 24 by presenting the Florida String Quartet. Hard to imagine a more fitting conclusion or a...

Business Notes.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Rolsafe International opens new center Rolsafe International LLC, the new corporation formed from the buyout of the 25-year-old Rolsafe Company, will introduce its newest location at 1264 Market Circle, Port Charlotte, with a grand...

Military News.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Council seeks ideas for Veterans Week The Veterans Week Council is putting together a week's worth of activities to honor veterans. The group was formed to promote the idea of honoring veterans for an entire week instead of just one...

16-U Bombers win 3rd straight.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Englewood Bombers 16-Under softball team won its third straight game recently, an 11-1 decision over North Port. Brittney Brunner pitched the entire game for the Bombers. Leading the Englewood offense were...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
March 31, 2005... CHARLOTTE COUNTY Natalie R. Borofski Natalie R. Borofski, 64, Port Charlotte, died March 29, 2005, at her home. She was born Oct. 28, 1940, in Plymouth, Mass., and came to the Englewood area in 1997 from Massachusetts. She was...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Empire Diner closing its doors tonight ENGLEWOOD -- The Empire Diner in Merchants Crossing will serve its last meals and close its doors for good tonight. Owner Lisa Vollaro, who has been in the restaurant business for many years,...

Traveling war memorial visits Sarasota County.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: STAFF REPORT The Vietnam Traveling Wall Memorial, an 80 percent scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., will be on display April 28 through May 2 at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota. ...

Local snapshots; Brief comments on life and times in our communities.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
March 31, 2005... Sun sets on pavilion The South Venice Beach Pavilion was built 40 years ago, long before strict environmental and building codes were adopted for Florida's coastal areas. When those codes were put in place, the pavilion, which...

Residents join legal fight to save golf course; Homeowners want to prevent houses from being built on Sabal Trace Golf and Country Club.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: ERIN BRYCE erin.bryce@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- More than 700 North Port homeowners no longer are certain the city will be able to preserve the Sabal Trace community's 207-acre golf course. So the homeowners are...

Another Venice bobcat killed by car; Animal experts say development could be driving the animals onto busy roads.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: LAUREN GLENN lauren.glenn@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- A bobcat died late Wednesday morning after being struck by a car on Venice Avenue, the second bobcat known to have been killed by a vehicle in the city in the past three...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Plane crash reported off Venice Fishing Pier A Coast Guard helicopter late Wednesday night found debris from an apparent plane crash near the Venice Fishing Pier. A witness reported seeing the plane crash around 9:30 p.m., and a...

DVR boxes hard to come by; Bright House is asking its own employees to bring their black boxes back in for customers.(A SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: LAUREN MAYK lauren.mayk@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Talk about taking your work home with you. Or, in this case, maybe vice versa. Supplies of digital video recorders for HDTV channels have been so tight recently for...

Keeping Padgett; Reasonable contract extension is in Manatee's best interests.(A SECTION)(Editorial)
March 31, 2005... When Manatee County Administrator Ernie Padgett recently announced plans to retire, he left no impression he wanted to be talked out of it. He agreed to a request to stay on a little longer to help find his replacement, but he repeatedly...

News Updates.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Raffle planned for Bradenton man BRADENTON -- Friends and family of a Bradenton man struck with a debilitating disease are holding a two-day raffle to raise money for his medical expenses. Gary Chambers, 46, ran Chambers TV Shop in...

Live-aboards deal with inconvenience.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: DALE WHITE dale.white@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- This city's annual riverfront Seafood Festival gets rave reviews from its closest neighbors, the people who live aboard many of the 225 boats moored at the Twin Dolphin...

Seafood lovers invasion; Bradenton's waterfront will be packed for this weekend's De Soto Seafood Festival.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: YVETTE KIMM yvette.kimm@heraldtribune.com BRADENTON -- Mark Parsons is one of the people who will put the seafood into the 2005 De Soto Seafood Festival. Parsons, owner of Whitey's Catering, will cook at least 600 pounds of...

Post to host banner salute.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... American Legion Kirby Stewart Post 24 is hosting a Blue Star Service Banner Salute on May 21 at McKechnie Field, 1611 Ninth St. W., Bradenton. The Blue Star Service Banner was designed in 1917 during World War I to mark the homes where a...

MILITARY REUNIONS.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... * USS Kenneth D. Bailey (DD/DDR-713) -- April 7-10 in Pittsburgh. Contact: Robert Levine, 439 Weld St., West Roxbury, MA 02132-1109; (617) 327-3286; rhl713@aol.com. * USS Cambria (APA-36) -- April 14-17 in Columbus, Ohio. Contact: David...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
March 31, 2005... MANATEE COUNTY Willie James Mays Willie James "DaDa" Mays, 64, Bradenton, died March 22, 2005. He was born July 4, 1940, and was a lifelong resident. He was a mechanic. He was a Baptist. Survivors include a daughter,...

Police station price doubles; A consultant blames rising building costs for the jump from $22 million to $41 million.(A SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: LISA RAB lisa.rab@heraldtribune.com SARASOTA -- The estimated cost of a new downtown police station has nearly doubled in four months, partly because plans for the $41 million facility now include a fire station and booking area...

Bills would boost some Medicaid programs.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER CAPITAL BUREAU TALLAHASSEE -- Although they remain under increasing pressure to reduce Medicaid costs, Florida lawmakers appear willing to help out some of the state's most unfortunate, even if it means...

Correction.(B SECTION)(Correction Notice)
March 31, 2005... The address for the Waffle Stop restaurant is 660 S. Washington Blvd. at Brother Geenen Way. It is open weekdays until 3 p.m. and weekends until 2 p.m. Incorrect information appeared in Wednesday's Herald-Tribune.

Expected sewer funds for county uncertain; The county wants $2 million from the state for the Phillippi Creek project, but it may get only half that.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE jeremy.wallace@heraldtribune.com TALLAHASSEE -- The massive sewer project, designed to rid Sarasota County of its older septic tanks, has won kudos from state officials, but that doesn't mean it's getting state...

Kissing to be clever.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... About 30 children attended a drop-in craft session at Selby Public Library on Wednesday. All the materials were provided as the kids' creativity soared with imagination, each running back and forth doing water coloring and making hand...

MILITARY NEWS.(B SECTION)
March 31, 2005... Weston completes basic training Air Force Airman Felicia L. Weston has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio. Weston is the daughter of Janet Tucker of Bell, and the granddaughter of Cynthia...

Obituaries.(B SECTION)(Obituary)
March 31, 2005... SARASOTA COUNTY Segundo Alvarez Segundo Alvarez, 97, Sarasota, died March 20, 2005. He was born April 29, 1907, in Cuba and came to Sarasota in 1982 from Lorida. He was a supervisor of air freight for Delta Air Lines and served...

Donations keep coming for 1914 schoolhouse.(H-T EAST MANATEE)(Editor's Desk)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Christi Womack Myakka City Elementary students gave themselves a round of applause Thursday for helping preserve their community's history. "The students of Myakka have been giving donations through the book fair, and you...

Seeing double; High number of twins in area poses mystery.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com LAKEWOOD RANCH -- Paula Siegel used to joke with her neighbor Laura Ballard about the numerous multiple births in their Summerfield Bluffs neighborhood. "We've known that there...

Ace pitcher leads team; Lakewood Ranch girls off to undefeated start in softball.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- An unfieldable ball rolled toward first base. Two nights later, a soft liner dropped into right field. The two plays amounted to hits, and they were all that kept Lakewood...

University Wal-Mart Supercenter still possible; The county's legal tussle with the retailer heads to mediation.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: CORY SCHOUTEN cory.schouten@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- Two years ago, residents near University Parkway and Honore Avenue formed a group to oppose a Wal-Mart Supercenter proposed for their neighborhood. They hired...

New elementary principal dives right in.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JENNY LEE ALLEN jenny.allen@heraldtribune.com MANATEE COUNTY -- The halls at Sea Breeze Elementary School were dark this week, except for a light coming from the principal's office. Spring break was no break for Principal...

DID YOU MISS IT?(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... MARCH 22 Board, county to plot new-school road map MANATEE COUNTY -- The county recently sent a message to developers by delaying a subdivision slated for the fast-growing area north of the Manatee River. Part of its message was...

Shop owners catering to children.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com EAST MANATEE -- Two child-oriented stores have opened for business in Lakewood Ranch within weeks of each other. One sells books; the other sells clothing and toys for newborns...

(BRIEFS).(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... EAST MANATEE Grace speaks about marketing Web sites David Grace will present "Search Engine Marketing for Beginners" during a seminar sponsored by the Manatee Chamber of Commerce. The event will be from 9 to 11 a.m. April 21 at...

SHERIFF'S REPORTS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... The following information is from Manatee County Sheriff's Office reports filed through March 26. EAST MANATEE Pleasant Hill Road, 6600 block, March 22. Domestic battery. A couple got into a physical argument. Whitfield Avenue,...

BRIEFS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... LAKEWOOD RANCH Local, French students exchange art exhibits The third annual International Internet Artwork Exchange exhibit showcases graphics and fine art by French students. The show will open with a reception at 3 p.m. April...

Fund-raiser celebrates accomplishments.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: STEVE HEISLER CORRESPONDENT EAST MANATEE -- A woman who wanted everyone to know that people with physical and mental disabilities are quite capable inspired others to rejoice about accomplishments during "Handi-capable -- A...

Artists raise money for animals.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: STEVE HEISLER CORRESPONDENT EAST MANATEE -- Two opera singers are recruiting other artists to join them in helping animals. They're hoping fellow Palm-Aire resident Bryan Moon, a painter of majestic African lions -- as well...

BRIEFS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... EAST MANATEE Rosedale rallies to fight breast cancer More than $56,000 was raised this year for the "Rally for the Cure" by Rosedale Golf and Country Club members. Resident Nancy Ward directed fund-raising efforts for the...

Foundation raises funds through ball.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com PARRISH -- A woman's wish to unite residents resulted in helping people outside her gated community. Since 1999, the River Wilderness Charitable Foundation has raised thousands...

Parrish parade puts residents in spotlight.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: JANEL STEPHENS janel.stephens@heraldtribune.com PARRISH -- In this rural town, anyone can participate in the Heritage Day parade. There's no registration; people just line up where the parade begins at the corner of 121st Avenue...

Jason Guldens' two jobs satisfy need to coach, minister.(H-T EAST MANATEE)(At Home)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Alan Dell There's more to sports than winning and losing, and that's one reason Jason Golden gave up being a club tennis pro after nearly 10 years to become minister of recreation for Sarasota Baptist Church. "My heart has...

Athlete throws energy into studies.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT EAST MANATEE -- Cody Hughes is brimming with confidence. It wasn't always that way for the Lakewood Ranch High senior. As a sophomore, he didn't feel very good about himself, let his school work lag...

Mustangs dominate in track, field.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... The Lakewood Ranch track teams proved March 24 that they're the best in Manatee County. The Lady Mustangs won their seventh straight county championship and the boys captured their sixth consecutive title. Team members Donnie Gilbert...

SPEEDWAY RESULTS.(H-T EAST MANATEE)
March 31, 2005... Current points of the top five finishers as of Saturday at DeSoto Speedway, 9 miles east of Interstate 75 on State Road 64, are: Cowboy Cadillac: Richard Wildrick, No. 34, 158; Joe Gagen, No. 1, 144; Roger Swinton, No. 88, 132; Matt...

At long last, some rest.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Editor's Desk)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Mark Chapman It's coming. We are on the cusp of the off-season, and it can't come soon enough. See, the way I figure it, we got cheated last year. The off-season usually lasts from mid-April until it begins to build sometime...

OUR COMMUNITY.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... ***** CORRECTION: The following correction was published on Friday, April 01, 2005: Correction: An item in Thursday's H-T Englewood gave the wrong date for a Deborah Hospital fund-raising trip to the Seminole Hard Rock Casino, 5223...

Kverne returns from year in Iraq.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT Art Kverne has learned to focus on the positive and appreciate the simple things in life. A year in Iraq will do that to anyone, he said. With Lemon Bay High School's football team, Kverne gained...

Relay for Life advocate is fighting her own battle.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... Byline: AMY ABERN amy.abern@heraldtribune.com During this weekend's Englewood Relay for Life, you might see a woman being carted around in a wheelbarrow. That would be Rosie Masters, the captain of the Palm Island Resort team. And...

Fond farewell; Miss Ruby says goodbye to lunch crowd.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com Ruby Williams thought the parade of flowers, banners, corsages, cards and posters on Ruby Williams Day was her big retirement send-off after 15 years managing Champ's Cafe at...

To judge chili, no experience is required.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Englewood Scene)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Sharyn Lonsdale I was a judge at the Chili Appreciation Society International Chili Cook-off Saturday at Englewood Beach. I wasn't invited because I write for the newspaper or because I've judged a couple of cooking contests...

From humble beginnings, Ault's has grown to dominate local driver ed.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... Byline: SHARYN LONSDALE sharyn.lonsdale@heraldtribune.com When Danielle Meservey got into the Chevy Cavalier for her first driving lesson, it was a car from Ault's Driver Education Center. If her friends decide they need driver's ed,...

This fish story has a tasty ending.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Recipe)
March 31, 2005... Byline: AMY HIBBERD CORRESPONDENT Six years ago, Patty and Jim Cloward left a busy life in the Atlanta suburb of Covington, Ga., to move to Englewood. Things have not slowed for the couple since they arrived here. Life for the...

West Charlotte pastor sets church on positive course.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... Byline: AMY HIBBERD CORRESPONDENT Listening to the Rev. Michael Lindsey describe the beginning of his relationship with West Charlotte Baptist Church almost sounded like the beginning of a parable. "I pulled into the driveway here in...

Lemon Bay High boys' tennis team picking up steam for stretch run.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)(Playing the Field)(Column)
March 31, 2005... Byline: Alan Dell The Lemon Bay High School boys' tennis team continues to look impressive and on course to pose a serious challenge to defending district tournament champion Newsome when the post-season begins in about two weeks. ...

Fourth-grade speech students perform at Sip and Say Cafe.(H-T ENGLEWOOD)
March 31, 2005... On the last day of school before spring break, Englewood Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Margaret Jones turned her classroom into the Sip and Say Cafe. The renovation was for a presentation by speech students of original poems,...

North Port, county to share lot money; City commissioners approve a deal with Sarasota County on the tax-delinquent properties.(A SECTION)
March 30, 2005... Byline: ERIN BRYCE erin.bryce@heraldtribune.com NORTH PORT -- This cash-starved city could soon get a $20 million to $30 million windfall from the sale of thousands of tax-delinquent lots. The city commissioners voted 3-2 Monday...

Detert pulls school bill voluntarily; The measure didn't stand a chance in committee, she says.(A SECTION)
March 30, 2005... Byline: JEREMY WALLACE and CHRISTINA DENARDO STAFF WRITERS TALLAHASSEE -- A bill designed to allow school boards to collect property taxes to pay for teacher salaries and special programs for 10 years at a stretch almost backfired on...

Troubled day care cut from rolls; Early Childhood Center loses accreditation, state Gold Seal.(A SECTION)
March 30, 2005... Byline: LAURA GREEN laura.green@heraldtribune.com VENICE -- A Venice day care center embroiled in an abuse probe has lost its accreditation from a national organization that recognizes quality child care. While the revocation does...