Sarasota Herald Tribune articles from May 2007

Sarasota Herald Tribune archives from May 2007

Grade 3 dips in reading on FCAT Puzzling over a decline that follows strong gains in 2006.(School-by School results for third-grade math and reading. Page 8A)
May 3, 2007... Byline: TIFFANY LANKES and LIZ BABIARZ STAFF WRITERS This year, more than 38,000 Florida third-graders could be held back for failing the FCAT, about 10,000 more than last year. Schools in Charlotte, Manatee and Sarasota counties...

Ex-Largo official moves up on list Steven Stanton and 10 more will be interviewed for city manager job.
May 3, 2007... Byline: CAROL E. LEE carol.lee@heraldtribune.com The commissioners had intended to whittle down the pool of 18 semifinalists to eight, but by the end of a two-hour meeting had settled on 11. A consultant will narrow the 11 down to four...

Sarasota man recalls brush with royalty 50 years ago.
May 3, 2007... Byline: PATTY ALLEN-JONES patty.allen-jones@heraldtribune.com This is their fourth visit to America. Paul Byrnes, now 80, was a former FBI special agent employed by the U.S. State Department in 1957 when he helped with crowd control for...

High school athletes could face steroid tests House and Senate are poised to pass a pilot program of random testing.
May 3, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com "The temptation is there to try to enhance your performance to turn pro in baseball or get that college scholarship and I think young people don'tlly have the capacity to understand what the...

Phosphate mining foes get legal lift.
May 4, 2007... Byline: KATE SPINNER kate.spinner@heraldtribune.com Charlotte County, with the help of Sarasota and Lee counties and regional water suppliers, has opposed the mine out of concern that it will pollute the Peace River. The Peace...

A SEA LIFE After years of study, the undersea world still enthralls Mote's 85-year-old founder.
May 4, 2007... Byline: CAROL E. LEE carol.lee@heraldtribune.com But whether she was discovering a hermaphrodite belted sandfish near New Pass, riding on the backs of whale sharks in Mexico or teaching the emperor of Japan to snorkel off the coast of...

Bill OK'd for more gym time in schools Elementary grades will have 150 minutes a week in a step against obesity.
May 4, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT H-T CAPITAL BUREAU The plan is the pet project of Gov. Charlie Crist, whose days start with swimming laps and lifting weights. While lawmakers celebrated the obesity-busting plan, school principals remained...

Touch-screens are out, paper is in A measure intended to restore faith in Florida's election process.
May 4, 2007... Byline: SARA LUBBES H-T CAPITAL BUREAU The legislation -- one of Crist's first-year priorities -- is designed to restore faith in Florida's much-maligned election process, in which Sarasota County voters blamed flaws in touch-screen...

Justice delayed Court's slow process pushes District 13 case into political arena.
May 4, 2007... Will the appellate judges conclude that the ultra-close vote count was credible? Will they accept the results of an in-depth state investigation that found no evidence of fraud or machine malfunction? Will they grant Jennings' request to launch...

All aboard! Manatee, Sarasota need regional transportation board.
May 4, 2007... The plan, whose chief architects include Rep. Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, holds tremendous promise -- especially if its participants focus on mass-transit initiatives to relieve the pressure on existing roads. Galvano, a longtime supporter...

The right direction Take staff's advice: Rework plans for Venice airport land.
May 4, 2007... Until two days ago, resort development seemed destined for public land at the airport because the planning process was driven by five similar, private proposals. The public had been told that it would be brought into the discussion after...

Rays steadily on rise Tampa Bay ties Toronto for second place in AL East.
May 4, 2007... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com And for the second straight night the Devil Rays came away with a win, this time 6-4 over Minnesota to take the series and jump into a tie with the Toronto Blue Jays for second place in the...

Softball and baseball teams go for titles The Lady Lancers are ranked No. 2 in the nation while the baseball team has won 12 of its last 13.
May 4, 2007... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT The Lady Lancers (49-8) open at noon today against Pensacola Junior College at the Auburndale Softball Complex. The Gulf and Atlantic District champions play for the state title, but both go to nationals. ...

In New Jersey, steroid testing seems to work.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Doug Fernandes "And we're hoping people drive within the speed limit because they're worried about getting caught." Florida is expected to become the second state in the country to randomly test high school student-athletes for...

New team, same old focus on kids Todd Johnson is getting acclimated in St. Louis and preparing for upcoming youth events in Sarasota.
May 4, 2007... Byline: MIC HUBER mic.huber@heraldtribune.com When Johnson left the Chicago Bears shortly after the team's appearance in the Super Bowl, the safety left behind a trio of former University of Florida teammates. Johnson, a free agent...

Bill to split FHSAA is scrapped.
May 4, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com A House amendment to the drug-testing bill would have allowed public and private schools to compete in separate leagues with separate championships. It also called for equal numbers of...

Redfish Cup, tarpon are this weekend's best bets.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Steve Gibson In addition, there will be the popular Splash Dogs competition, Jim Morris and the Big Bamboo Band, cardboard boat races, food, drinks and other vendors. The Redfish Cup Festival and weigh-ins are open to the...

National champs YMCA Sharks sweep Short Course crowns.
May 4, 2007... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT That is again the case this year as the girls, led by record-setting 16-year-old Corinne Showalter, successfully defended their team championship at the recent YMCA National Short Course Swimming & Diving...

TRACK & FIELD.
May 4, 2007... * WHEN: Today. * WHERE: Showalter Field, Winter Park * DIRECTIONS: From Interstate 4, take Fairbanks Avenue (Exit 87). Merge onto State Road 426 for 3.5 miles. Turn right at Lakemont Avenue. Turn left at Mizell Avenue. Turn right on...

SaraReds take sole possession of 1st place.
May 4, 2007... Byline: PHIL DENIS CORRESPONDENT The SaraReds are 18-9 after winning their fourth consecutive game. The Threshers (17-10) had numerous late scoring opportunities during Thursday's $1 Night promotion in front of 663 spectators. The...

24 Sarasota finalists are announced.(CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AWARDS)
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Small business of the year * Anexio Inc. * Gulf Coast Signs of Sarasota Inc. * Marguerite Barnett, M.D./ Mandala Medi Spa LLC Young business of the year * Veterinary Neuro Services LLC *...

PGT manages to squeeze out a small profit Even amid a downturn, the maker of doors and windows is in the black.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT That compared with a loss of $14 million during the same 2006 period. On an adjusted basis -- to compensate for some costs of the company's initial public offering of stock -- PGT earned about $6.7 million, or 24 cents...

Jilted developer demands city pay Florida Main Street says Sarasota threw out rules.
May 4, 2007... Byline: KEVIN McQUAID kevin.mcquaid@heraldtribune.com "Florida Main Street relied upon the written process and procedures identified in the original (request for proposals) in it's (sic) response and, therefore, believes that reimbursement...

Business Buzz.
May 4, 2007... Women Realtors set session on networking The Manatee and Sarasota chapters of the Women's Council of Realtors will present "WCR & Networking is Like a Box of Chocolates" on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Golf & Country...

Still struggling with loan woes, Coast posts a $2.4 million loss.(Financial report)
May 4, 2007... Byline: JOHN HIELSCHER john.hielscher@heraldtribune.com The company, in financial trouble over hundreds of loans made to customers of a defunct home builder, reported a major increase in legal and consulting fees. Coast also increased...

Economic flux could bring bargains.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Lauren Rudd Meanwhile, according to a report Wednesday by The Wall Street Journal, the Fed sees obstacles to further declines in inflation, in part because of a rebound in energy prices, a weaker dollar and the failure of...

D is a failing grade Vote to lower road standards hurts motorists, rural areas.
May 4, 2007... The commissioners are understandably frustrated with what amounts to a Catch-22 situation: Without more state transportation funding, it's difficult for the county to improve or build roads. As state funding has decreased, the local cost...

TWO DEGREES FOR THE PRICE OF ONE 3 earn associate degrees during high school years.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Eric Ernst That's quite a savings. Two years at a state school costs about $30,000, including tuition, room and board, travel, books and fees. CECI grads also benefit from a slew of scholarships available for transfer students and...

Charge is upgraded in Englewood stabbing death.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Porter, 25, of Nokomis, and his co-worker at a Venice car dealership had called an escort service asking for two women, according to a police report. MacDonald and her cousin and fellow escort Leslie Ondrovich,...

BEST BETS.
May 4, 2007... Middle school dance: A dance for students in grades 6 through 8 will be held at the Harold Avenue Recreation Center at 23400 Harold Ave. in Port Charlotte. The dance starts at 6:30 p.m. Call 627-1074 for more information.

Players tackle a 'Romantic' comedy.
May 4, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT "Isn't It Romantic" is about the dilemmas and complexities, and perhaps even absurdities, of the post-college careers and struggles for independence of two former college classmates, Janie...

Open auditions for 'Moon Over Buffalo' at Playhouse.
May 4, 2007... Byline: MARILYN D. CARPENTER CORRESPONDENT The LBP production will be directed by Dale Moore. The cast includes: George Hay, an actor in his 50s; Charlotte Hay, his wife and an actress in her 50s: Ethel, Charlotte's...

Monster Trucks to take over Motorsports Park.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The program will begin at 8 p.m. today and Saturday with a 2 p.m. Sunday matinee. Among the monster trucks are Predator, Prowler, Scarlet Bandit, Hot Tamale, Grim Reaper and Sgt. Smash. There will be monster...

Anglers in Redfish Cup know where the fish are lurking.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com Weigh-ins will be held from 3 to 4:30 every afteroon at Laishley Park in Punta Gorda. In addition, there will be booths, vendors, Splash Dog competition, cardboard boat races, Jim Morris...

Ex-governor's name will not be on college.
May 4, 2007... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T CAPITAL BUREAU Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, had originally advanced the proposal to name the UF school the "Jeb Bush College of Education," after saying he was irked that the university's faculty Senate had...

Senate says no tax cut on phone and cable.
May 4, 2007... Byline: JOE FOLLICK H-T CAPITAL BUREAU Proponents of cutting the taxes said the state's rates are among the nation's highest. Detractors said it was unlikely that the savings would be passed on to consumers. Early in the session, the...

Senate backs lease plan for existing toll roads The measure, which could lead to higher tolls, needs approval of the House and governor.
May 4, 2007... Byline: LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T CAPITAL BUREAU The measure would let the Department of Transportation lease existing toll facilities, excluding the Florida Turnpike, which runs from Wildwood to Miami, as well as auxiliary turnpike...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
May 4, 2007... July 23, 1935 - May 1, 2007 Martin Thomas "Marty" Bushman, 71, Port Charlotte, formerly of Key West, died May 1, 2007. A memorial gathering will be 2 p.m. May 11 at the family residence in Port Charlotte. Arrangements by Roberson...

BEST BETS.
May 4, 2007... Oh Boy! Oberto Redfish Cup Tournament, festival: The fishing begins at 8 a.m with a grand prize of $40,000 at stake, plus $60,000 in additional cash and prizes. The Redfish Tournament Festival starts at 10 a.m. and includes the "Relatively...

Sci-fi author gets a youthful rendering for next book cover.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Francine Milford Sleator visited the library to congratulate the winners of the "Design-A-Cover" contest where students in Sarasota County were invited to create a cover for one of Sleator's books. The largest amount of entries...

BEST BETS.
May 4, 2007... SATURDAY "Open Y Night" for teens grades 6-12 - an action-packed evening of fun, is 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday at the Venice YMCA, 701 Center Road. Teens will have access to the YMCA rock wall, the pool and the gymnasium. There will be a...

Builder may face more counts Avalon Homes owner already faces felony charges over unfinished work.
May 4, 2007... Byline: GINNY LAROE ginny.laroe@heraldtribune.com North Port Police recommended this week that prosecutors charge Pufta with seven additional counts of misapplication of construction funds, North Port Police Detective Lenny Hills said....

The early birds get free trees at festival.
May 4, 2007... Byline: BETSY WILLIAMS CORRESPONDENT "We wanted to make sure we would get a tree," Craig Goodie said. Fifteen minutes before the event started, the line was well over the 100-person mark. By the time it started, Alice White,...

AC Heroes save the day in Lamarque program.
May 4, 2007... Byline: NANCY CHAPMAN nancy.chapman@heraldtribune.com Knight is an author, with seven books to his name. One has been published; "King" is available on Amazon .com. He also develops board games through his own company, Knight Games...

Group keeps storm forecast.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT It has dropped the prediction for named storms from 17 to 16. Relying mostly on how warm its experts expect the tropical North Atlantic to be in the busiest months of the hurricane season and on wind speeds over...

Manatee jury recommends death for Ross.
May 4, 2007... Byline: MICHAEL A. SCARCELLA michael.scarcella@heraldtribune.com The brutality of the murders, one juror said, warranted more than life in prison without parole. "The decision to murder his parents was not simply one thought or one act...

News of Record.
May 4, 2007... APRIL 18-24 Ahmad, Donavan Lester and Shaketa Dorinda Moss. Bager, Danny Widenborg and Amanda Mae Toothman. Barrera, Gilberto and Katherine Loor. Benker, Jeffrey Robert and Amysue Bernthal Magowan. Billiar, Christopher...

IN BRIEFS.
May 4, 2007... Alison I. Bilderback and Adeline R. Dozois, both of Southeast High, and Brian M. Frey of Lakewood Ranch High each will receive $2,500 for college. They qualified for the awards from the National Merit Scholarship Corp. with exceptionally...

Deputy convicted of DUI resigns.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT Prentice was arrested after a traffic stop in the 4300 block of Cortez Road West. He failed field-sobriety tests, according to police reports. Prentice took a plea deal last month that included a year of probation...

Boat safety checks set for Saturday.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT The officers will check for fitted life jackets, fire extinguishers and other required equipment. They will also be on the lookout for intoxicated boaters. During the past two years, more than 700 boats have been...

Parading in Palmetto.
May 4, 2007... Yovany and Latin Passion were among the well-known performers at the fairgrounds, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto. The event was presented by the Excelsior Education & Training Foundation, which has a mission to create jobs and independence for...

American Cancer Society sets up Relay for Life events.
May 4, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT This year's theme is "American Bandstand: Taking a Stand Against Cancer." Events include: n6 p.m. Saturday until noon Sunday at G.T. Bray Park, 5502 33rd Ave. Drive W., Bradenton. Luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m. ...

OBITUARIES.(Obituary)
May 4, 2007... Feb. 3, 1929 - May 1, 2007 Betty J. Caputo, 78, Palmetto, died May 1, 2007. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Brown & Sons Funeral Homes, 43rd Street Chapel. Services will be in Altoona, Pa., where burial will be...

Risk factor for heart disease traced to gene.
May 4, 2007... Byline: NICHOLAS WADE THE NEW YORK TIMES The genetic variant is so common that some 50 percent of people in European populations carry one copy of it, and about 20 percent of people have inherited two copies, one from each parent. It is...

Uniformity, not grass, is key to harmony.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Tom Lyons Such tales may amuse those of us who live in the lawless, ungated Outlands and who never yearn for centralized control of our neighbors' shrubbery, lawn ornaments and mailbox designs. But I would never want to deny the...

Tax decision delay affects local plans Cities and counties get more time to lobby, but less time to prepare for cuts.(THE 2007 LEGISLATURE)
May 4, 2007... Byline: DOUG SWORD and JOE FOLLICK STAFF WRITERS The delay gives cities and counties more time to lobby against the impact of tax cuts, but less time to prepare for their ramifications. City of Sarasota Finance Director Gib Mitchell...

After crash, an identity riddle Who is the motorcycling teen who was burned after hitting a truck?
May 4, 2007... Byline: LATISHA R. GRAY latisha.gray@heraldtribune.com Deputy James Shurtleff tried to stop the teen on Cambridge Drive after noticing the motorcycle did not have a license tag. The boy sped off, ran a stop sign and crashed into a 2004...

BRIEFS.
May 4, 2007... St. Petersburg police arrested Asa Peterson, of Bradenton, on Wednesday shortly before 6 p.m. He is wanted here for killing and robbing John A. Pirrone, a report stated. Pirrone, of the 1990 block of Debbie Street, was shot and killed...

BEST BETS.
May 4, 2007... SATURDAY Booker Middle School hosts a free Eighth Grade VPA Solo Showcase, starting at 7 p.m., at the Booker High School theater. Singers, dancers, actors, artists will all be performing. For more information, call 359-5824 or e-mail...

Forum offers campus safety tips for future freshmen.
May 4, 2007... Byline: CAREY ROTHSCHILD CORRESPONDENT "College should be a fun, pleasant experience, but we want you to be safe." Being aware at all times and using good judgment were recommendations made by all of the presenters. "When you...

Venice man ran the Marine Corps Marathon at 75.
May 4, 2007... Byline: MARK ZALOUDEK mark.zaloudek@heraldtribune.com Since then, he completed five marathons, including the Marine Corps Marathon at the age of 75. He also became friends and frequently jogged with fellow Greenwich resident Jim Fixx, whose...

OBITUARIES.
May 4, 2007... Feb. 23, 1921 - May 1, 2007 Martin D. Butler, 86, Venice, formerly of Waterloo, N.Y., died May 1, 2007. A celebration of life will be 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday at Ewing Funeral Home. Survivors include his wife, Doris; daughters Roxanne...

Basics with a new shine.
May 4, 2007... Byline: ALAN SCULLEY CORRESPONDENT Aguilera has not been afraid to put technology to work in her own music. In fact, a primary goal for her latest release, the two-CD set "Back to Basics," was to put a modern spin on music rooted in...

A drink to sink your teeth into.(LIQUID LOVE)
May 4, 2007... Byline: KEVIN O'HORAN kevin.o'horan@heraldtribune.com Everyone speaks chocolate. And that goes for a German Chocolate Cake shot, too. They make it at the Bridgetender Inn and Dockside Bar, 155 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, and sell it...

Akon does right by himself.
May 4, 2007... Byline: ALAN SCULLEY CORRESPONDENT "So the entire 'Konvicted' was a way of letting them know that I could pretty much go outside of what you see other urban acts do... and still get a hit out of it." One can also consider the fact...

5 O'Clock Club steps up to help ailing wife of a local musician.
May 4, 2007... Byline: Steve Echeverria Jr. Not only does the "5-0" provide an outlet for live music, itis one of those establishments that brings the music community together -- especially when one of its own is in dire straits. Take this Sunday's...

He'll always be the king of funk.(NEW CD REVIEW)
May 4, 2007... Released nearly three years after his fatal heart attack, "Deeper Still" (Stone City/MRI Records) is a collection of 11 sleek songs dripping with urban funk and feathery hedonism. New fans may only know James through "Chappelle's Show,"...

A long trek to 'Sweet Land'.(Movie review)
May 4, 2007... Byline: ABBY WEINGARTEN CORRESPONDENT Set in the 1920s, immigrant Inge (Elizabeth Reaser), travels from Germany to Minnesota to wed a Norwegian farmer, Olaf (Tim Guinee). The historic climate is one of suffragism and German suspicion due to...

FST looks down 'Rabbit Hole' for summer.
May 4, 2007... Byline: JAY HANDELMAN jay.handelman@heraldtribune.com "That's lucky for us, and lucky for him," Hopkins said, referring to playwright David Lindsay-Abaire's "Rabbit Hole," a drama about a couple trying to deal with the loss of a child. ...

Miguel's caters to a traditional palate.
May 4, 2007... Byline: JACK WINNER CORRESPONDENT The traditional menu reflects a moderate approach to cooking as well. Strong flavors are softened, spices reined in, as if to address the older crowd that predominates here. On the menu, Shrimp Pil Pil...

Houses unfinished, and a future unclear As more home buyers feel the pain, building officials feel the pressure.
May 5, 2007... Byline: STEPHEN FRATER and DEVONA WALKER STAFF WRITERS This week, Meadow filed a criminal complaint of contractor fraud with the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office against Dean Rossey Sr. and Gary W. Oben, Ideal's most recent owners. Meadow...

Crist notches wins, but tax reform stalls Insurance package pleases governor, but taxpayer relief will wait till June.
May 5, 2007... Byline: JOE FOLLICK and LLOYD DUNKELBERGER H-T CAPITAL BUREAU Crist's biggest win might have been Friday's legislative approval of an insurance reform package that increased the role of state-owned Citizens Property Insurance. The bill...

Handkerchiefs fall, and 'anticlimax' is word of the day.
May 5, 2007... Byline: ANNA SCOTT anna.scott@heraldtribune.com So it went Friday, perhaps the most anticlimactic last day of Florida's legislative session in decades. The dropped handkerchiefs signifying the finale hit the floor of the Capitol's...

Stuck in the slow lane GM, Congress in denial about shift to fuel-efficient cars.
May 5, 2007... In an interview this year with MSNBC, McManus recalled that GM executives refused to believe surveys showing that many consumers wanted fuel-efficient vehicles. The officials dismissed those findings even after gas prices rose and sales of...

Fatal flaw Virginia quickly closed a gun-law loophole; Florida should too.
May 5, 2007... On Monday, Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine signed an executive order requiring his state to add the names of anyone who has received court-ordered mental-health treatment to the database that gun dealers use to check the background of people...

Dying honorably, but too young.
May 5, 2007... Byline: Laura Sperling Even so, young Sarasota men are dying in Iraq. My instinct, like that of his parents, is to shelter Ryan from that world. The "art" of war is utterly foreign to him. Even the thought of him going strikes a deep...

Bullpen suffers another late meltdown in loss Oakland's Nick Swisher hits a 3-run homer in the ninth inning off Tampa Bay reliever Brian Stokes.
May 5, 2007... Byline: JON STYF jon.styf@heraldtribune.com So after pitching six of his best innings of the season, Fossum had to get out of the game and let the bullpen take over the one-run lead he left them with. Once again, however, the bullpen...

Coach gets tossed as MCC loses opener Lancers rally from a five-run deficit to take a brief lead, but loss sends them to the losers' bracket.
May 5, 2007... Byline: ALAN DELL CORRESPONDENT The ejection might not have hurt as much if his team held up better before losing a 7-6 heart-breaker to Chipola Junior College on Friday in opening-round play of the State JuCo Tournament at Chain of Lakes...

Walk-off winners Pete Hernandez's solo shot propels Indians to region final.
May 5, 2007... Byline: PERRY D. PENTZ perry.pentz@heraldtribune.com The senior catcher slugged a walk-off home run to lead off the bottom of the seventh inning lifting Venice to a 2-1 victory over Tampa Middleton on Friday night in a Class 5A-Region 3...

Grantham wins first Bobcat gold Senior wins 1,600-meter run to capture North Port's first individual championship in meet history.
May 5, 2007... Byline: DENNIS MAFFEZZOLI dennis.maffezzoli@heraldtribune.com Grantham became the first individual champion in Bobcat history, winning the 1,600- meter run at the FHSAA Class 3A State Track and Field Meet on Friday. In one of the day's...

Time off didn't hamper Punta Gorda angler Dan Latham took a year off, but he and teammate Mike Friday lead early.
May 5, 2007... Byline: STEVE GIBSON steve.gibson@heraldtribune.com They lead Bryan Watts of Lithia and Greg Watts of Eagle Lake by more than 2 pounds. The Watts brothers weighed in at 12.86 pounds. Rounding out the top five are the Punta Gorda team of...

Lady Lancers blank Pensacola JC 8-0, fall to Gulf Coast Community 11-7 Manatee CC, ranked No. 2 in the nation, must win three games today to stay alive in the double-elimination tournament.
May 5, 2007... Byline: STAFF REPORT MCC, ranked No. 2 in the nation, must win three games today to remain alive in the double-elimination tournament. The Lady Lancers will meet St. Petersburg College at noon and will play again at 4 and 6 p.m. if...

Blazers advance to Class A-3 final with 5-3 victory.
May 5, 2007... Byline: JODY ROYCE jody.royce@heraldtribune.com For the second straight year, SCS pulled off a surprise on the road. This time it was a 5-3 decision over Wellington Christian in a Class A-Region 3 semifinal Friday at Village Park. The...

RAYS NOTEBOOK.
May 5, 2007... Taking the infield The Devil Rays showed up early Friday to take infield practice, something Maddon hopes to do more often. The practice was planned before the home stand and wasn't a reaction to the two-game win streak they entered the...