Daily Archives: August 2, 2012

Beach-water advisory issued for Lido Casino Beach

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

A beach-water advisory has been issued for the Lido Casino beach, Sarasota County health officials have announced. Health Department staff received testing results from beach-water samples taken on Wednesday, Aug. 1, that showed an elevated level of enterococci (enteric) bacteria, … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Sarasota County | Comments Off

DUI arrests up through May on Siesta Key

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office recorded almost a 31% increase in DUI arrests on Siesta Key for the first five months of 2012 compared to the same period in 2011, Sheriff’s Office records show. Deputies logged 71 DUI arrests from … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime & Law Enforcement, Siesta Key | Comments Off

Orange Avenue drainage work to get under way

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

The City of Sarasota is scheduled to start work on Saturday, Aug. 4, to improve drainage along North Orange Avenue, from 10th Street to 19th Street. Parts of the avenue will be closed to traffic between October and January. The $1.8 million … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Neighborhoods, Transportation | Comments Off

Volunteers sought for seagrass survey

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County is seeking volunteers for its seagrass survey program, which collects data on local seagrass, algae, water clarity and depth from locations throughout Sarasota’s bays. “Seagrass is vital to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, improving water quality, stabilizing shorelines and … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Analysis: City manager amendment hits snag on way to ballot

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

Can 3,300 registered city voters be wrong? Or is this race-baiting in the making? In a replay of last month’s city-manager hiring question, the city commissioners concluded this latest debate in a decision-less silence. An unlikely coalition trooped to City … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Political News | Comments Off

Downtown mooring work to start in September

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Stan Zimmerman

A second attempt to install mooring anchors at the bayfront is set to begin on Sept. 1. In anticipation of that, the city has warned boaters in the area to move their vessels from the northern and eastern sections of … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Tourism, Transportation | Comments Off

Oriole Bird to lead Walk for the Kids

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Oriole Bird will lead the annual Walk for the Kids in support of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota County on Sept. 15 at Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles’ spring training home, the Orioles have announced. In addition … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonprofit News, Sarasota People, Sports | Comments Off

Bayfront Park playground to be closed Aug. 3-4

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The playground at Bayfront Park, across from downtown Sarasota, will be closed for repairs Friday, Aug. 3, and Saturday, Aug. 4, the City of Sarasota has announced. During that time, crews will replace a portion of the playground’s rubber surface, … Continue reading →

Posted in City of Sarasota, Parks and Recreation | Comments Off

Early voting in Sarasota County: the basics

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

Hard to believe, but election season kicks into high gear Saturday, Aug. 4, when early voting officially begins in Sarasota County. You can cast your ballot between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Saturday, Aug. 4, to Saturday, Aug. 11, … Continue reading →

Posted in Local Government, Political News, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Half a quote is worse than none

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Editorial Board

Almost everyone reading this has, in their lifetime, said, “I love Satan.” At least, that’s what the Republican Party might want us to believe. You see, everyone has uttered the first-person singular pronoun. Ditto, one would hope, for the word … Continue reading →

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School Board approves millage rates; employees to get health benefits break

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

While the Sarasota County School Board is being required by the state to raise its required local millage rate for the 2013 fiscal year, federal government action is going to result in a break for employees on the district’s health-care … Continue reading →

Posted in Health & Medicine, Sarasota School Board | Comments Off

Turtle Beach Campground offers ‘BOGO’ special to Sarasota County residents

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Sarasota County residents may stay two consecutive nights for the price of one at Turtle Beach Campground on Siesta Key, the county has announced. The buy one, get one free (“BOGO”) special offer runs through Aug. 31, a county news release … Continue reading →

Posted in Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County, Tourism | Comments Off

Plaintiffs contend county must remain a defendant in Midnight Pass suit

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Midnight Pass Society and its fellow plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit seeking the reopening of Midnight Pass say they have met their legal burden in alleging a case against Sarasota County. Therefore, in a motion filed July 3 in … Continue reading →

Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Tourism, Wildlife | Comments Off

Sarasota County libraries cited as example of excellence by national publication

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Sarasota County Library System has been receiving national recognition from the America Library Association’s official publication, “Public Libraries,” for a program that has resulted in increased availability of items in the libraries where they are in demand, a higher … Continue reading →

Posted in Sarasota County, Sarasota People | Comments Off

Foundation working to expand upon county libraries’ successes

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Guest Columnist

The Sarasota County Library system this spring was named the 2012 Library of the Year by the Florida Library Association.  Travel back in time to a place that holds a special memory. That place might have had a certain look … Continue reading →

Posted in Guest Column, Sarasota County, Sarasota People | Comments Off

Public hearing set for Aug. 21 on Sarasota County Charter amendments

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

Just seven days after the primary election, Sarasota County residents will have the opportunity to weigh in on a measure that could be on the general election ballot in November. The County Commission will hold a public hearing on Aug. … Continue reading →

Posted in Political News, Sarasota County | Comments Off

Final suspect arrested in Hibiscus Inn armed robbery

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Rachel Brown Hackney

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested the final suspect in an armed robbery that occurred at the Hibiscus Inn on Stickney Point Road on July 13, the office has announced. Detectives determined that Raheem “Bubba” Maxwell, 21, of 2309 … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime & Law Enforcement, Siesta Key | Comments Off

Why do Sarasota County middle school students say they’re learning less about HIV/AIDS?

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

Overall, the results of a risk behavior survey among Sarasota County middle school students, conducted last fall and released in late June, is full of good news. The percentage of students who said they smoked tobacco declined from 30 to … Continue reading →

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Dent drops out of candidates’ forum over dispute with sponsor

Posted on August 2, 2012 by Cooper Levey-Baker

Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent skipped a supervisor candidates’ forum held July 30 and broadcast by Sarasota Talk Radio WSRQ because, according to organizers, she disagreed with the inclusion of one of the event sponsors, Sarasota Citizens for Responsible Government. … Continue reading →

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