Task force eyes drug crackdown and Coast Guard plan
Sarasota County officials press for a concrete plan to curb drug trafficking. County Commissioner Jerry Hente leads a 35 member task force drafting prioritized objectives while weighing a full time coordinator role. Proposal includes basing a US Coast Guard cutter at Venice Inlet with a $125,000 dock to enhance patrols and cut vessel response times.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Dave Martin
Jerry Hente
Hente
Sarasota County
County Commission
Bob Anderson
North Port
Vic Costello
Anderson
U.S. Coast Guard
Venice Inlet
Casey Key
Cortez
Boca Grande
Developers eye historic hotel renovation in Venice
Far South Developers led by Jan Conner propose restoring the abandoned Hotel Venice once used as Kentucky Military Institute winter headquarters. They aim to place the building on the National Historical Register and back by Venice Historical Committee support, signaling more downtown heritage ventures.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Venice
Jan Conner
Far South
Gondolier
Kentucky Military Institute
National Historical Register
Paul Schmidt
County eyes 300 acre site for water plant gun range
A northeast Laurel area site of more than 300 acres near Laurel and Haul Roads is rumored as a potential home for water and sewage plants and a county gun range. Venice and Sarasota County staff led a joint search with a final recommendation pending Sarasota County Commissioners. Some officials also consider locating the gun range at the soon‑to‑be‑defunct landfill east of Venice while the Laurel Road payment policy remains unchanged.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Laurel
Coun
Venice
Laurel Road
Landfill site fate in Venice in doubt for years
Walt Rothenbach says the Venice landfill east of town will not offer major recreation until well after 2000 as unstable ground and ongoing transfer operations limit use. The 160 acre site will be capped with a synthetic layer to reduce runoff and 30 acres set aside for a truck to truck transfer station. Potential gun range was considered but may be constrained by transfer activities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Venice
Parks and Recreation
Bee Ridge
Walt Rothenbach
Ed Maroney
Commission
Bob Anderson
Barry McCarthy
Venice police plan informational rally over new contract
Dissatisfaction within the Venice police union hints at an impasse in negotiations and another information rally. Officers will review the latest city proposal led by Lucille Doeble, with handouts ready for a public picket in front of Venice City Hall on Tuesday January 25. The second such event mirrors a past firefighters rally that spurred concessions, and money now appears to be the sticking point.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ray Porter
Venice
Lucille Doeble
Venice City Hall
Venice Fire Department
Manatee Regulation Nearing Final Draft in Florida
Casey Gluckman of the state Department of Natural Resources says a final draft of a new manatee protection law, including Venice waterways, will be ready for the Florida Cabinet and Governor Graham by early February after one more in house meeting. She notes many comments came in by the January 14 cutoff and remain to be reviewed.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Casey Gluckman
Manatee
State Department of Natural Resources
DNR
Venice Waterways
Florida
Bob Graham
Brickyard Styling Center Opens Near Walgreens World Bazaar
A new Brickyard Styling Center debuts near the Walgreens World Bazaar mall area. The venue offers fashion services and beauty products, aiming to attract shoppers from regional retail clusters.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ucee
Mall
the Brickyard Styling Center
Walgreens World Bazaar
Also Mentioned on This Page
Coast Guard
Developers Eye Historic
By Dave Martin
County Parks and Recreation
Business Church
Camelios
Jacksons
Kmart
TV Guide
Arby's
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