Venice Gondolier Sun

Please wait....

| Subscribe

| Today's Ads

| Place Ad

| Electronic Edition

| Jobs

| Real Estate

| Venice Weather

ARCADIAN

ENGLEWOOD

NORTH PORT

PORT CHARLOTTE

PUNTA GORDA

VENICE

DIRECTORY

Website Comments
Business News
Carriers
- Carrier Access
- Carrier Application
Community Calendar
Community
- Big Brothers / Big Sisters of the Sun Coast
- Chamber of Commerce
- Children First
- Loveland Center
- Senior Friendship Center
- Venice Community Center
- Venice Main Street
Contact Us
Customer Service
Editorial
- Editorials & Letters
- Submit Letter To Editor
Education
- State College of Florida
- Out-of-Door Academy
- Ringling School of Art and Design
- Sarasota County School Board
- University of South Florida (Sarasota Campus)
- Venice Public Library
Electronic Edition
- Free Trial
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Login
- Subscribe
Entertainment
- Boating and Fishing
- Florida Lottery
- Historic Spanish Point
- Venice Theatre
- Parks
- Let's Go!
- Movie Listings
- Puzzles & Games
- Selby Botanical Gardens
- Suncoast Chorale
- The Venice Symphony
- TV Listings
- Van Wezel Performing Arts Center
- Venice Art Center
- Venice Area Auduban Society
Florida Public Notices
Fox News
Government
- City of Venice
- Sarasota County Government
- Southwest Florida Water Management District
Health
- Venice Community Hospital
- Sarasota County Health Department
- Sarasota County Medical Society
- Sarasota Memorial North Port ER
- Venice Regional Medical Center
- Women's Resource Center
Manage Subscription
- Access Account
- Create Online Account
- Forgot Password
Obituaries
Points of Interest
- Mote Marine Aquarium
- Myakka River State Park
- Venice Area Beautification
- Venice Golf Courses
Police Beat
- Police Beat
- Sarasota County Sheriff's Office
- Venice Police Department
RSS
- Venice News
- Venice Business
- Venice Columnists
- Venice Editorial
- Venice Obituaries
- Venice Police Beat
- Venice Sports
Social Services
Sports
- Latest Sports News
- Professional Sports
  - Charlotte Stone Crabs
  - Tampa Bay Rays
  - Baltimore Orioles
  - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  - Tampa Bay Lightning
  - LPGA
  - MLB
  - NASCAR
  - NBA
  - NFL
  - NHL
  - PGA
Weather

Today's Top Stories

News Alerts:

Friday, May 18, 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

Autopsy: Evidence of marijuana in Martin’s blood
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

ORLANDO (AP) — Medical examiners found evidence of marijuana in Trayvon Martin’s system after he was fatally shot by a neighborhood watch volunteer, an autopsy report released Thursday shows. The report was included in a large amount of evidence released … read more.

Rural homeless shelters in Fla. to get $2 million
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Homeless shelters across the state will receive more than $2 million dollars in federal grants. The Department of Children and Families says the money will go to 25 emergency homeless shelters in rural areas. The money will … read more.

Woman foils would-be robbery by chasing suspects
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

HOBE SOUND (AP) — A Hobe Sound woman chased after four would-be robbers when she returned home from taking her husband to work and saw them climbing out of her window. Renee Granlund told Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers she saw … read more.

Central Fla. woman gives birth at gas station
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

LONGWOOD (AP) — A Florida woman has made what can certainly be called a speedy delivery: She gave birth at a gas station. Orlando’s WKMG reports Shelly Tester gave birth with the help of her husband early Wednesday at a … read more.

Man pleads guilty to pointing laser at planes
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

ORLANDO (AP) — The U.S. Attorney’s Office says a 49-year-old man faces up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to aiming a laser pointer at a plane departing from Orlando International Airport. Prosecutors say Glenn Stephen Hansen pointed … read more.

Fla. tourism numbers show slight gain in 2012
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Florida tourism officials say numbers for the first quarter of the year are up slightly over the same period a year ago. Visit Florida, the state’s marketing division, released numbers Wednesday showing a 2.4 percent boost for … read more.

Polk Co. confirms 6th positive rabies case
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

FORT MEADE (AP) — Polk County has confirmed its sixth positive rabies case this year. A Fort Meade resident found his two dogs with a dead raccoon. The raccoon was tested for rabies, and it was confirmed positive for rabies … read more.

Agency for disabled people rates Fla. providers
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The state has updated its Medicaid provider ratings for Floridians with developmental disabilities. The Agency for Persons with Disabilities posted the new rankings on its website Wednesday. They are part of an effort by all state agencies … read more.

Workshops set for gopher tortoise conservation
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — Wildlife officials will be conducting regional workshops for gopher tortoise conservation. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made the announcement Wednesday. The workshops will present information on the management plan and permitting guidelines for gopher tortoises. … read more.

Prosecutor: Plea deals set in Fla. A&M hazing case %reldate(2012-05-17T14:09:43
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

BC-FL--FAMU Arrests,129 Prosecutor: Plea deals set in Fla. A&M hazing case %reldate(2012-05-17T14:09:43 Eds: APNewsNow. Will be updated. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A prosecutor says two defendants accused of hazing a Florida A&M University band member are expected to plead guilty … read more.

Student to plead guilty to Obama threat
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — Court records show a Miami college student intends to plead guilty to making threatening posts against President Barack Obama on Facebook. A change of plea hearing is set for Wednesday for 20-year-old Joaquin Amador Serrapio Jr. He … read more.

Maas named executive editor of Tampa Tribune
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TAMPA (AP) — A longtime news manager at The Tampa Tribune has been chosen as the new executive editor. The newspaper reported the appointment of Richard “Duke” Maas on Thursday. The 59-year-old Maas has been managing editor of the Tribune … read more.

Ed secretary questions Fla. law on tutoring
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

MIAMI (AP) — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan questioned Thursday why the Florida Legislature passed a law requiring districts to continue tutoring services that have not proven effective. Florida was one of nearly a dozen states that received a waiver … read more.

Citizens board chair urges caution
Thu May 17 2012 08:08PM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — Citizens Property Insurance Corp. could face dire consequences if it fails to involve Florida lawmakers before deciding whether to approve a dramatic rate increase for new policyholders, the state-backed firm’s board president warned Thursday. The corporation’s Board … read more.

US ready to strike Iran
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

JERUSALEM — The U.S. has plans in place to attack Iran if necessary to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, Washington’s envoy to Israel said, days ahead of a crucial round of nuclear talks with Tehran. Dan Shapiro’s message resonated … read more.

Greek Cabinet, legislators sworn in
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Greece on Thursday swore in 300 legislators for just one day before it dissolves Parliament and calls new elections, among them 21 lawmakers from Golden Dawn — arguably the most far-right party to be involved in … read more.

Buffett buys 63 Media General papers
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — Former paperboy and current Omaha, Neb., billionaire Warren Buffett is throwing the weight of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. behind the newspaper industry, buying the majority of Media General Inc.’s papers months after picking up his hometown … read more.

Stocks slump again
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

NEW YORK (AP) — Unable to shake their worries about Europe, investors drove stocks to a four-month low Thursday and piled into bonds, sending the yield on the 10-year Treasury note close to an all-time low. The Dow Jones industrial … read more.

Senators want to stop Saverin from dodging taxes
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

WASHINGTON (LA Times) — Two senators on Thursday denounced Facebook Inc. co-founder Eduardo Saverin as a tax dodger for renouncing his U.S. citizenship ahead of the company’s initial public offering and introduced legislation to punish him and others who leave … read more.

Fate of ‘uninsurables’ hinges on Supreme Court
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

WASHINGTON — Cancer patient Kathy Watson voted Republican in 2008 and believes the government has no right telling Americans to get health insurance. Nonetheless, she says she’d be dead if it weren’t for President Barack Obama’s health care law. Now … read more.

Cellphone disaster alert system to start soon
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

DAYTON, Ohio (Cox Newspapers) — Major U.S. wireless carriers will go live this month with an emergency disaster alert system broadcasting free text messages warning of tornadoes, flash floods, earthquakes and other emergencies. Major carriers AT&T, Cellcom, Cricket, Sprint Nextel, … read more.

US unemployment aid applications stay at 370,000
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment benefits was unchanged last week, suggesting modest but steady gains in the job market. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly unemployment aid applications stayed at a seasonally adjusted 370,000, … read more.

Facebook IPO set at $38
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

NEW YORK — Facebook’s initial public offering of stock is shaping up to be one of the largest ever. The world’s definitive online social network is raising at least $16 billion, a big windfall for a company that began eight … read more.

Cuban president’s daughter gets US travel visa
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

HAVANA (AP) — Cuban first daughter Mariela Castro has been granted a U.S. visa to attend events in San Francisco and New York, one of her associates confirmed Thursday. The travel permission sparked a firestorm of criticism from Cuban-American politicians … read more.

Postal Service to begin closing plants this summer
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service is moving ahead with plans to close dozens of mail processing centers, saying on Thursday it can no longer wait as Congress remains deadlocked over how to help. At a news … read more.

Prisons to step up anti-rape efforts
Thu May 17 2012 08:37PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House on Thursday ordered federal, state and local prisons, jails and detention facilities to step up the fight against prison rape, issuing mandatory screening, enforcement and prevention regulations in hopes of reducing sexual victimization behind … read more.

Census Bureau: Minority births outnumbered whites for first time
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

LOS ANGELES (LA Times) — The United States has reached a historic tipping point — with Latino, Asian, mixed-race and African-American births constituting a majority of births for the first time, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday. Minorities made up … read more.

RFK Jr.’s estranged wife hanged herself
Thu May 17 2012 08:06PM

BEDFORD, N.Y. (AP) — The Kennedy family, so practiced at public mourning, is grieving again after the estranged wife of Robert Kennedy Jr. hanged herself at her home in suburban New York. Mary Richardson Kennedy, 52, an architect known for … read more.

Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7

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.

Page: [1] 2 3

AP Video

Venice Weather

Weather Forecast | Weather Maps | Weather Radar

Publish Your Photos