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Saturday, May 18, 2013

Ex-priest gets life in prison for sex abuse

A former priest convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse will spend the rest of his life in prison. In March, a jury convicted William Wert, 56, of eight counts of lewd and lascivious conduct on a 14-year-old boy. Two counts were dropped, and the jury found Wert not … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Mote Marine has new president
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Michael P. Crosby is the new head of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium following the nonprofit organization’s annual board meeting Thursday. Crosby is taking the role of president and CEO … Find out how to read more online.

Detert’s amazing run
Wed May 15 2013 08:02AM

During her first year in the Florida Senate, Nancy Detert thought she might have made a mistake getting elected. “It wasn’t what I thought it would be,” she said. She … Find out how to read more online.

Spatula leads student to Hollywood, Iron Man actor
Sat May 18 2013 01:18PM

Audrey Harris is glad Laurel Nokomis School requires all its students to participate in its science fair. At least she is now. The 15-year-old eighth-grader just got back from a … Find out how to read more online.

Honoring ‘Monty’
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

The tireless efforts of one resident to beautify the city of Venice, and one place in particular, were rewarded this week. City officials renamed the Venice Arboretum in West Blalock … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

Treasury officials told of IRS probe in June 2012
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — Senior Treasury officials were made aware in June 2012 that investigators were looking into complaints from tea party groups that they were being harassed by the Internal Revenue Service, a Treasury inspector general said Friday, disclosing that Obama … read more.

Dirty war inside Syria?
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

BEIRUT — About 30 security agents showed up just after midnight, breaking down the door to an apartment in the town of Daraya near the Syrian capital of Damascus. They grabbed a 24-year-old university student and drove off. That was … read more.

Danger in office Powerball pools
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

In workplaces across the nation, Americans are inviting their colleagues to chip in $2 for a Powerball ticket and a shared daydream. The office lottery pool is a way to improve your odds and have a little fun with co-workers. … read more.

Woman tells of Berlusconi’s wild parties
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

MILAN — Silvio Berlusconi’s private disco featured not only aspiring showgirls performing striptease acts as sexy nuns and nurses, but one woman dressed up as President Barack Obama and a prominent Milan prosecutor whom the billionaire media mogul has accused … read more.

Canada abuzz over purported crack video of mayor
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

TORONTO (AP) — A video purportedly of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford smoking crack has caused an uproar in Canada. Ford on Friday called the allegations “ridiculous.” The video has not been released publicly, and there is no way to verify … read more.

Benghazi probe co-chair subpoenaed
Sat May 18 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The chairman of the House Oversight committee has issued a subpoena to compel the co-chairman of the independent review board that investigated last year’s attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, to answer questions about … read more.

NASA: New pump resolves big space station leak
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — An impromptu spacewalk over the weekend seems to have fixed a big ammonia leak at the International Space Station, NASA said Thursday. The “gusher” erupted a week ago, prompting the hastiest repair job ever by … read more.

Florida’s crime rate dropped 6.5 percent in 2012
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida’s crime rate dropped 6.5 percent in 2012, including a significant decrease in thefts, robberies and burglaries, according to a Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner released Thursday. It’s the lowest crime rate since the state … read more.

Fla. Gov. reappoints 3 passed over agency heads
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott is reappointing three agency heads passed over by the Florida Senate. Scott on Thursday announced he was reappointing State Surgeon General John Armstrong along with Michael Crews and Jesse Panuccio. Crews is … read more.

Authorities arrest man in Idaho in terrorism case
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Federal authorities in Idaho said Thursday they have arrested an Uzbekistan national accused of conspiring with a designated terrorist organization in his home country and helping scheme to use a weapon of mass destruction. The U.S. … read more.

Panther kitten rescued, recovering from surgery
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) — A 9-month-old Florida panther has been rescued after a man spotted the injured kitten on his way to work. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission say a homeowner in Collier County saw the … read more.

TSA stops Fla. man, 19, with loaded gun in bag
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A 19-year-old with a loaded gun he says he inherited from his grandfather was stopped by Transportation Safety Administration officers at Daytona Beach International Airport. The incident happened Wednesday morning as Thomas Suddard tried to … read more.

2 killed while crossing State Road 7 in South Fla.
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

MARGATE, Fla. (AP) — Two pedestrians died when a minivan hit them as the crossed State Road 7 near Fort Lauderdale. Margate police say the crash happened just early Thursday morning as the man and woman walked across the street. … read more.

Obama picks budget official to run troubled IRS
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama picked a senior White House budget official to become the acting head of the Internal Revenue Service on Thursday, the same day another top official announced plans to leave the agency amid the controversy … read more.

Obama acts, but Republicans unsatisfied
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama, seeking to regain his footing amid controversies hammering the White House, named a temporary chief for the scandal-marred Internal Revenue Service Thursday and pressed Congress to approve new security money to prevent another Benghazi-style … read more.

Fla. gov. rejects Amazon deal
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who has made job creation his top priority since coming into office, has rejected a proposed deal to bring major Internet retailer Amazon to the state. After months of behind-the-scenes negotiations, Scott … read more.

Tornadoes whip through North Texas; 6 dead
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

GRANBURY, Texas (AP) — Habitat for Humanity spent years in a North Texas subdivision, helping build many of the 110 homes in the low-income area. But its work was largely undone during an outbreak of 13 tornadoes Wednesday night that … read more.

California fuels $550 million Powerball jackpot
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

SAN DIEGO (AP) — The numbers sum up the frenzy that has taken over the Golden State since it became the newest in the nation to join the madness over Powerball, which saw its jackpot soar Thursday to $550 million. … read more.

Justice Dept. faulted over terrorist identities
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The government allowed “a small but significant number” of terrorists into America’s witness protection program and then failed to provide the names of some of them for a watch list that’s used to keep dangerous people off … read more.

Feds propose overhaul for child care centers
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

(AP) — Federal health officials proposed Thursday to overhaul 500,000 child care centers across the country, beefing up safety standards including background and fingerprint checks for employees and requiring states to better monitor the facilities. Roughly 1.6 million U.S. children … read more.

Teary testimony from victim’s family in Arias case
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

By BRIAN SKOLOFF Associated Press PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors deciding the fate of convicted murderer Jodi Arias were brought to tears Thursday, visibly shaken by dramatic statements from the victim’s family members as they described how their lives were ripped … read more.

Watchdog: Israel trying to legalize settlements
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

JERUSALEM (AP) — An Israeli watchdog group on Thursday accused the government of taking steps to legalize four unauthorized settlement outposts in the West Bank, days before the U.S. secretary of state is set to arrive on a new peace … read more.

Obama calls on Congress to fund embassy security
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama on Thursday tried to turn the tables on Republicans who have criticized his administration’s response to last year’s deadly attack in Benghazi, Libya, calling on lawmakers to approve his request to increase funding for … read more.

A late fade on Wall Street; Wal-Mart, Disney slump
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Signs of a slowing economy combined with comments from a Federal Reserve official helped pull the stock market down Thursday. The news on the U.S. economy gave investors little to get excited about. Applications for unemployment … read more.

Afghanistan: Bomb kills 15, including 6 Americans
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — A suicide car bombing tore through a U.S. convoy in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least 15 people including six Americans in a blast so powerful it rattled the other side of the Afghan capital. U.S. … read more.

Obama vows sustained effort on military sex abuse
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

BC-US--Military Sexual Assault, 7th Ld-Writethru,1205 AP Photo WX103 Eds: Restores background. With AP Photos. With BC-US--Military Sexual Assault-Glance, BC-US--Military Sexual Assault-Numbers. By ROBERT BURNS and LOLITA C. BALDOR Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama said Thursday the nation’s … read more.

Refugees fleeing Syrian city of Qusayr say rebels dug in, preparing for government onslaught
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

AARSAL, Lebanon (MCT) — The Syrian city of Qusayr lies just 10 miles over the border from Aarsal in northern Lebanon. But the Syrians now crowding into Aarsal said the trip to get here from Qusayr required walking for days. … read more.

Senate committee approves 3 judicial nominees
Fri May 17 2013 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved three of President Barack Obama’s judicial nominees, including one for an influential appeals court, for a full Senate vote. Senators voted 18-0 to move forward with nomination of Sri Srinivasan … read more.

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More Local News

Doctor’s wheelchair stolen in broad daylight
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

William “Doc” Williams spent his entire life giving to others as an osteopathic physician and surgeon for more than 57 years, so he doesn’t know why thieves would steal his motorized wheelchair. “I don’t dislike them, but there is a … Find out how to read more online.

Talented Trunk Troupe dazzles kids
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Entering its third decade, Venice Theatre’s Troupe in a Trunk will have played to nearly 200,000 students by this time next year. Adult Troupe members spend close to a month on the road, traveling from school to school each spring … Find out how to read more online.

Enhanced patrols to replace checkpoints for weekend
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office will use enhanced traffic enforcement over the next few weekends to keep streets safe and take impaired drivers off the road. Deputies will use “saturation patrols” this weekend and over the Memorial Day holiday weekend … Find out how to read more online.

Venice gets ‘chalked’ with colorful artwork
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

An estimated 100 people gathered in Centennial Park, downtown for this year’s annual Chalk Festival sponsored and organized by Venice Mainstreet, Venice Art Center and Venice Paint. Participants in the event included four professional artists and 24 kids of various … Find out how to read more online.

Groups gather in Venice to help veterans
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Groups that help area veterans gathered Tuesday in a roundtable meeting to learn more about what each does, and to discuss ways to better help those they serve. Organizations represented included the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Suncoast Workforce, the … Find out how to read more online.

CITY NOTES
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Hatchett Creek cleanup funds City officials have formally accepted a Department of Environmental Protection grant to remove invasive species from Hatchett Creek around Legacy Park. The $30,000 grant requires a city match. Contracts approved City Manager Ed Lavallee received city council’s … Find out how to read more online.

Area colleges create ‘Artist-to-Teacher’ program
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

At a reception held in the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee rotunda May 13, educational leaders and administrators from USFSM, State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (SCFMS) and Ringling College of Art and Design (RCAD) signed memos of understanding creating an … Find out how to read more online.

Prayers for North Korea
Fri May 17 2013 11:00PM

Not long ago, I followed up on a news report about military saber rattling by North Korea, and realized I knew very little about that country. While I was aware that there were serious humanitarian problems, I was unaware of … Find out how to read more online.

Photo album
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Find out how to read more online.

Hidden fire hydrants place lives at risk
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Fire hydrants exist to protect life and property from imminent danger of fire. While fire hydrants are a familiar sight, residents should be aware of the importance of each hydrant to the community — not only for firefighting, but also … Find out how to read more online.

County lays out plan for new SCAT buses
Sat May 18 2013 08:03AM

Sarasota County Area Transit officials have laid out plans to try to obtain more than 60 new buses over the next five years that will be used in routes all over Sarasota County. At a recent county budget workshop, SCAT … Find out how to read more online.

Barber gives up over sign flap
Wed May 15 2013 08:02AM

The Venice Planning Commission spent most of an entire meeting trying to figure out how to stop one person — a man who didn’t even know he was in the city’s sites. Until a few weeks ago, barber Larry Hakes, … Find out how to read more online.

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