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'PRECURSOR TO MURDER': MOST SARASOTA STRANGULATION CASES NOT PROSECUTED, INVESTIGATION FINDS
FROM SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE
The Office of the State Attorney, 12th Judicial Circuit, has declined to prosecute an alarming number of non-fatal domestic battery by strangulation cases, a Sarasota Herald-Tribune investigation has found, raising questions as to why this complex crime of power and passion continues to silently fracture the familial structures within our community and squeeze the voice out of its victims, if not the life, all without penalty and punishment.
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PROPOSED POPE RANCH DEVELOPMENT DENIED IN FINAL BOCC VOTE
FROM THE BRADENTON TIMES
Manatee County Commissioners unanimously denied a controversial rezoning request for the proposed Pope Ranch development in Parrish, ending a drawn-out application process that included multiple continuances. Simply Dwell Homes, a subsidiary of Neal Communities, had sought to rezone 217.36 acres along CR 765 (Rutland Road) from general agriculture and coastal designations to planned development residential. The final vote came during a land use meeting and lasted less than ten minutes.
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MAJORITY OF PURPLE RIBBON COMMITTEE MEMBERS STRESS FOCUS ON POTENTIAL REUSES OF VAN WEZEL, IN SPITE OF CONCERNS ABOUT ITS VULNERABILITY TO FUTURE STORM DAMAGE
FROM SARASOTA NEWS LEADER
While two of the six members of the City of Sarasota’s Ad Hoc Van Wezel Purple Ribbon Committee believe the city’s 55-year-old performing arts hall is doomed and has no place in city’s 53-acre Bay Park on the waterfront, other committee members stressed the potential for future uses of the so-called “Purple Cow.” Jane Kirschner, mother of past Sarasota Mayor Kelly Kirschner, has urged city leaders, “Don’t even think of COWDOZING Sarasota’s icon,” as noted by city resident Kelly Franklin. Over the past few years, Franklin has secured the signatures of 3,000 Sarasotans who want to see the Van Wezel protected, Franklin has reported.
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TWO SARASOTA BROTHERS JUST PADDLED FROM THE BAHAMAS TO FLORIDA TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS
FROM SARASOTA MAGAZINE
Four Sarasota paddlers — including local attorneys Brandon and Travis Taaffe — successfully completed “The Crossing,” an 80‑mile overnight relay from Bimini to Florida, to raise awareness and funds for Piper’s Angels Foundation, which supports families battling cystic fibrosis. What began at midnight on June 22 saw teams endure ocean currents, wind, waves — and limited rest — to highlight the therapeutic benefits of saltwater for CF patients, inspired by the experience of founder Travis Suit’s daughter, Piper.
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WHEREVER WINNIE GOES, A TRANSMITTER WILL FOLLOW THE LOGGERHEAD'S TRAVELS FOR TOUR DE TURTLES
FROM WUSF
A tiny satellite transmitter on a hulking loggerhead sea turtle named Winnie will provide information on the reptile's travels over the next three months and give those interested a way to track her. Research biologists with the Sea Turtle Conservancy and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, along with Turtle Watch volunteers, on Monday took advantage of the nesting season by attaching the transmitter for Tour de Turtles, an educational and research project. A couple of hundred people observed the activity on Coquina Beach South in Bradenton. The crowd paraded past Winnie, who scientists caught shortly after she laid eggs, with multiple exclamations since seeing a sea turtle up close is an amazing experience for young and old.
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'NO HOLES' ORDINANCE MAY BE ADOPTED BY ANNA MARIA ISLAND
FROM ABC 7
The City of Anna Maria Island is looking to create a blank slate of sand for beachgoers and newly hatched turtles as they plan to pass a “no holes on the beach” ordinance. Holmes Beach has already passed a similar ordinance for safety reasons, said Police Chief William Tokajer. “We aren’t doing it to stop kids with a little play shovel, from going to the beach and making little holes,” he said. ”This is a safety thing. We are having people dig holes that are 6 feet deep. And a little kid walking along can fall into that, and then it could collapse on him, that’s a safety factor.” According to the ordinance, holes dug on the beach should not go deeper than one foot below the surrounding sand.
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MANATEE COUNTY IS BUYING FOREST LAND AROUND AN OLD CEMETERY. HERE'S WHY
FROM BRADENTON HERALD
Manatee County leaders have voted to buy two new pieces of land with the county’s voter-backed conservation fund. A purchase of several acres of forest land at the edge of Rye Preserve, a nature preserve in Parrish, will create a buffer between the conservation area and encroaching development, county staff say. The land buy is also meant to shield Rye Cemetery, a last remnant of the Rye community that once existed along the Manatee River.
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SRQ NAMES NEW PRESIDENT AND CEO TO SUCCEED RETIRING RICK PICCOLO
FROM THE OBSERVER
Beginning this fall, Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport will be under new leadership. On Tuesday, the Sarasota-Manatee Airport Authority Board of Directors announced the unanimous selection of Paul Hoback Jr. as the incoming president and CEO, succeeding Rick Piccolo who will retire this year. Tentatively scheduled to begin at SRQ on Oct. 19, Hoback is currently executive vice president and chief development officer of the Allegheny County Airport Authority (ACAA), operator of Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). He has served in various leadership roles in aviation for 25 years.
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