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Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Three locals in sex sting

The sound of men crying like babies was welcomed by Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight after 31 individuals were nabbed in a six-day sting targeting online child sex predators. “Did you hear some of them screaming and crying like babies?” Knight said Monday during a press conference to announce the … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Thaxton mum about future
Wed May 16 2012 08:00AM

Sarasota County Commissioner Jon Thaxton said Tuesday he will not do anything regarding his political future until Monday. Thaxton, 54, is prevented from running for a fourth term to the … Find out how to read more online.

Venice by the numbers
Wed May 16 2012 08:00AM

The public is invited to participate in Community Data 2.1, a half-day workshop on innovative approaches to using community data to make community decisions. Friday morning at Venice City Hall … Find out how to read more online.

Chef hopes to keep Snook Haven open
Wed May 16 2012 08:00AM

Sarasota County last week took steps to terminate its contract with the vendor operating Snook Haven, a popular Venice tourist attraction, for missing rent payments. Two months ago Sunrise Sunset … Find out how to read more online.

Hines plans BOCC run
Sat May 12 2012 08:01AM

Joe Gruters got it right. The chair of the Republican Party of Sarasota County said that without District 5 County Commissioner Jon Thaxton running for re-election, voters are “likely to … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

Deputies: Fla. mom killed 4 kids, then herself
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

PORT ST. JOHN, Fla. (AP) — In the middle of the night, Tonya Thomas’ neighbors awoke to the sound of a gunshot and moments later heard a knock on their door. Three of Thomas’ four children were outside, including one … read more.

12 students affected by rash at high school
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

HOLLYWOOD, Fla. (AP) — Twelve students and two teachers at a South Florida high school have been transported to area hospitals after coming down with a rash while in class. Broward County Public Schools officials say the students were all … read more.

War crimes charges against Mladic
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

(AP) — The indictment against Ratko Mladic — who went on trial Wednesday at the U.N. war crimes tribunal in the Hague, Netherlands — holds the former Bosnian Serb army commander “individually criminally responsible for planning, instigating, ordering and/or aiding … read more.

Oil drops to lowest level in 6 months
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

NEW YORK (AP) — The price of oil dropped to a six-month low Tuesday on concern that economic uncertainty in Europe could hurt demand for crude. Benchmark West Texas Intermediate crude fell 80 cents to end the day at $93.98 … read more.

Facebook investors to cash out more shares
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Insiders and early Facebook investors will be unloading more of their shares in the initial public offering, the company said Wednesday, as they take advantage of investor demand. Facebook said in a regulatory filing that 84 … read more.

Defense rests without calling Edwards, mistress
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — John Edwards’ defense team rested Wednesday without calling the two-time Democratic presidential candidate or his one-time mistress to the witness stand, a sign of confidence after presenting little more than two days of testimony and evidence. … read more.

FTC: Skechers deceived consumers with shoe ads
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government wants you to know that simply sporting a pair of Skechers’ fitness shoes is not going to get you Kim Kardashian’s curves or Brooke Burke’s toned tush. Skechers USA Inc. will pay $40 million to … read more.

Obama warns against political disruption in Yemen
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama served notice Wednesday to those seeking to disrupt Yemen’s political transition that he would use whatever authority is available to sanction individuals and entities who undermine stability in the strategically important Middle Eastern nation. … read more.

Researchers Link Health to Education Gap
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

(Bloomberg) — Higher levels of education in the United States correlate with longer life expectancy and less obesity, according to the government’s annual health report. Obesity, which leads to chronic ailments such as diabetes and heart disease, was twice as … read more.

Rivals airbrush anti-Romney words
Wed May 16 2012 01:36PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Remember Newt Gingrich calling Mitt Romney a liar? Michele Bachmann saying Romney’s unelectable? Rick Santorum calling Romney “the worst Republican in the country” to run against President Barack Obama? They’re hoping you don’t. And acting like it … read more.

Deputies: Fla. mom killed 4 kids, then herself
Tue May 15 2012 10:21PM

PORT ST. JOHN — A Florida mother who fatally shot her four children before killing herself Tuesday called three of the kids who had sought help from a neighbor back to the house before firing the fatal shots, authorities said. … read more.

Cheaper gas not enough to boost vacation driving
Tue May 15 2012 10:21PM

NEW YORK — Cheaper gas won’t be enough to get many more Americans on the road this summer. They’re still too worried about their jobs and the economy. Economists and tourism experts are expecting only a small uptick in summer … read more.

FCAT writing test passing score shrinks
Tue May 15 2012 10:21PM

TALLAHASSEE — An emergency rule adopted Tuesday will lower the passing grade for Florida’s standardized writing test to keep the failure rate about the same as last year after preliminary results showed it would have dramatically increased otherwise. The State … read more.

Court records: Zimmerman had broken nose
Tue May 15 2012 10:02PM

MIAMI (AP) — Court records show George Zimmerman had a pair of black eyes, a nose fracture and two cuts to the back of his head after the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. The medical records were part of … read more.

US strategy: Halt Alzheimer’s by year 2025
Tue May 15 2012 10:21PM

WASHINGTON — Asserting “we are at an exceptional moment” in the hunt for an Alzheimer’s disease treatment, National Institutes of Health director Dr. Francis Collins on Tuesday promised a raft of new research aimed at stopping and reversing the memory-robbing … read more.

Energy fades as campaign issue as gas drops
Tue May 15 2012 10:00PM

WASHINGTON (MCT) — Barely two months after the cost of fuel was a white-hot matter in the presidential race, the subject has receded, just as prices have declined in much of the country. AAA reported Monday that the national average … read more.

Lack of trust in Facebook may hold back ad sales
Tue May 15 2012 10:21PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Facebook’s reach is wide but not deep. Few users surveyed in an Associated Press-CNBC poll say they click on the site’s ads or buy the virtual goods that make money for it. More than 40 percent … read more.

FCAT writing scores plummet
Mon May 14 2012 10:34PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The State Board of Education has set an emergency meeting for Tuesday to consider lowering the passing grade on the writing portion of Florida’s standardized test, after preliminary results indicated only about a third of students would … read more.

Obama attacks Romney’s record on jobs
Mon May 14 2012 10:34PM

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is casting Mitt Romney as a greedy, job-killing corporate titan with little concern for the working class in a new, multi-pronged effort that seeks to undermine the central rationale for his Republican rival’s candidacy: his … read more.

Sophia, Jacob top popular baby names
Mon May 14 2012 10:32PM

WASHINGTON — Reality TV is giving birth to some of the most popular baby names. No, not Snooki. But Mason, as in Kourtney Kardashian’s son, jumped 10 spots to become the second most popular name for newborn boys in 2011. … read more.

Autistic adults lack jobs
Mon May 14 2012 10:32PM

CHICAGO — One in 3 young adults with autism have no paid job experience, college or technical schooling nearly seven years after high school graduation, a study finds. That’s a poorer showing than those with other disabilities including those who … read more.

Man who cared for famed old tree dies at age 103
Mon May 14 2012 10:28PM

PORTLAND, Maine — Frank Knight’s decades-long battle to save New England’s tallest elm served as an inspiring tale of devotion, so it is fitting that he will be laid to rest in a coffin made from the tree he made … read more.

Student with flesh-eating bug mouths words
Mon May 14 2012 10:26PM

AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — After 10 days in the hospital, a Georgia graduate student fighting a rare flesh-eating infection isn’t letting the breathing tube in her throat stop her from mouthing questions such as “Where am I?” and “How long … read more.

Venice Fantasy 5 player wins $27K
Tue May 15 2012 10:42AM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Seven winners of the “Fantasy 5” game will collect $27,094.93 each, the Florida Lottery said Monday. The winning tickets were purchased in Margate, Wilton Manors, Orange Park, Jacksonville, St. Petersburg, West Palm Beach and Venice, lottery officials … read more.

FAMU marching band suspended another year
Mon May 14 2012 10:26PM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida A&M University’s famed marching band is being suspended for at least one more school year as officials try to cleanse the hazing culture that led to the death of a drum major, the school’s president … read more.

Facebook CEO turns 28, IPO could be $100B gift
Sun May 13 2012 09:06PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Don’t let the hoodie and sneakers fool you. Mark Zuckerberg is no wet-behind-the-ears CEO. Facebook’s chief executive turns 28 on Monday, setting in motion the social network’s biggest week ever. The company is expected to start … read more.

Legendary bass player ‘Duck’ Dunn dies in Tokyo
Sun May 13 2012 09:06PM

NEW YORK — Donald “Duck” Dunn, the bassist who helped create the gritty Memphis soul sound at Stax Records in the 1960s as part of the legendary group Booker T. and the MGs and contributed to such classics as “In … read more.

2012 college graduates enter better job market
Sun May 13 2012 09:06PM

NEW YORK — The class of 2012 is leaving college with something that many graduates since the start of the Great Recession have lacked: jobs. To the relief of graduating seniors — and their anxious parents — the outlook is … read more.

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More Local News

New Challenger site urged
Wed May 9 2012 08:01AM

Back and forth, and back again. Citing neighborhood opposition and a viable alternate site, the city is now pressing Venice Challenger Baseball to accept its gift of land in the middle of Wellfield Park for three ball fields for the … Find out how to read more online.

House to move again
Sat May 12 2012 08:01AM

When Jim Ainslie purchased a 1935 cottage and moved it from Valencia Road to Villas Drive in Golden Beach, he wasn’t aware of the stir it would cause. He saw it as a workspace and a place to restore antiques. … Find out how to read more online.

Lovebugs? No, we hate them
Sat May 12 2012 08:01AM

The heat of the highway. The intoxicating scent of fuel and exhaust. Hot, vibrating car engines. Put all those things together and it’s the perfect party setting for lovebugs. But if Southwest Floridians haven’t seen the coupling insects out in … Find out how to read more online.

263 dogs taken from Venice home
Sat May 5 2012 11:57AM

It took Sarasota County Animal Services two full days to remove 263 dogs, many of them in need of veterinary care, from a Venice home. Lt. Scott Ortner, director of Animal Services, says it’s quite possibly the worst case of … Find out how to read more online.

Plan could break road transfer stalemate
Wed May 9 2012 08:01AM

Venice City Manager Ed Lavallee this week offered a strategy designed to end the stalemate over a county transfer of 10 miles of road to the city. Over the past year and a half city leaders have acknowledged the long-overdue … Find out how to read more online.

Lower US 41 speed limit eyed
Wed May 9 2012 08:01AM

Venice City Council Member Kit McKeon appears to have sold his fellow members on reducing the speed limit on U.S. 41 Business south of Venice Regional Medical Center, at least while the bypass is under construction. The speed limit currently … Find out how to read more online.

June start for Plaza Venezia
Wed May 9 2012 08:01AM

Building plans for permits were being submitted this week for the new Plaza Venezia shopping center, to be constructed at the Laurel Road/Pinebrook Road intersection. The projected start date is June 26, with projected completion in March 2013, said Michael … Find out how to read more online.

Unfunded liability: Kick the can?
Sat May 5 2012 08:00AM

Editor’s Note: This is part two of a series on city fire and police pensions Facing a pension crisis, city of Venice leaders are at least able to divide the problem in two. They’ll have to negotiate with union officials … Find out how to read more online.

Cars trump trail users
Wed May 2 2012 08:00AM

Who has right of way where the Legacy Trail crosses a road? The issue is heating up now that Palmer Ranch Communities Coalition has persuaded Sarasota County to change the configuration at Sarasota Central Parkway, giving motorists preference. “Overall, we … Find out how to read more online.

Honore extension delayed
Sat May 5 2012 08:00AM

With the opening this week of two newly constructed southbound lanes of Interstate 75 and the projected completion of all six lanes bypassing Venice in July, eyes are turning to the next project, the extension of Honore Avenue south from State … Find out how to read more online.

West Villages defaults on bonds
Sat May 5 2012 08:00AM

The West Villages Improvement District defaulted on its Unit 3 bonds Tuesday, according to District Manager Todd Wodraska. “Our office is sending out notices to the state Inspector General (Office of Auditing) and to the disclosure agent to the bond … Find out how to read more online.

Carvey heading VFD during search for new chief
Wed May 2 2012 08:00AM

Shawn Carvey has been selected to serve as Venice’s interim fire chief. He replaces Fire Chief John Reed, who retired April 24 after more than two decades of service to the department. Carvey is a 16-year Venice Fire Department veteran, having … Find out how to read more online.

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