The Islander Newspaper E-Edition: Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Page 1

Poppin’ politics. 2

Claw time. 11

Safety first. 20 OCT. 18, 2017 FREE

VOLUME 25, NO. 51

The Best News on Anna Maria Island Since 1992 AsTheWorldTerns say ‘vote early.’ 6 AM seeks to repurpose pier planks. 5

Op-Ed

The Islander editorial, reader letters. 6

10-20 YEARS AGO

From the archives. 7

Anna Maria, developer settle federal case. 8

Meetings

On the government calendar. 8 Bradenton Beach finalizes changes to LDC. 9 Holmes Beach to broaden formula business ban. 9

Happenings

Community announcements, activities. 12-13

Make plans, save a date. 14-15 Longboat man arrested for video voyeurism. 16 Get in the game. 23 Mammogram, fall fest reminders. 24 Turtle watch volunteers celebrate. 26

Scientifically speaking. 27 Wrestling returns. 28 Fall fish arrive. 29 Business roundup. 30 Classifieds. 32

www.islander.org

Murder: HBPD arrests boyfriend for child’s death

Kathy Prucnell Islander Reporter An investigation into the death of a 17-month-old in Holmes Beach has led to the arrest of the mother’s live-in boyfriend. David Vickers, 31, of Holmes Beach and formerly of Apollo Beach, was arrested Oct. 11 by Holmes Beach Police Detective Sgt. Brian Hall on charges of seconddegree murder and aggravated child abuse in connection with the death of infant Luca Sholey. Luca was declared dead Aug. 23 from injuries sustained two days earlier, according to the HBPD. Luca had been in Vickers’ care Aug. 21 at the home he shared with Luca’s Vickers mother on Peacock Lane when he said he found the child limp and not breathing. At about 9:40 p.m., Vickers called 911. He told police he’d placed Luca in his playpen an hour earlier. At 9:42 p.m., HBPD and EMS responded to the home in the 200 block of Peacock Lane. EMS performed CPR, transported Luca to Blake Medical Center in Bradenton and later airlifted him to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Melissa Wolfe with son Luca, who died Aug. 23 after allegedly suffering abuse. Facebook Photo

Mother Melissa Wolfe and a sibling of Luca lived with Vickers in the Peacock Lane apartment where Vickers took care of the children while Wolfe worked two jobs, according to Hall. Wofle’s facebook page states she works two restaurant-service jobs, one in Bradenton at Joey D’s and as a bartender at American Legion Post 30 in Sarasota. A celebration of life for Luca was held Sept. 5 at the American Legion. The father of Wolfe’s two children lives in Pasco County, Hall said. HBPD, Manatee County Sheriff ’s Crimes Against Children unit and state Child Protective Services opened an investigation into the child’s death after doctors advised HBPD that Luca’s injuries were consistent with abuse. “The investigation revealed that Luca

had been physically abused while in the care of Vickers on several occasions,” according to the HBPD report. Hall said past trauma to Luca’s face and eye were misdiagnosed as thrush and pink eye when he was taken to a walk-in clinic. Hall said it was uncertain how long Luca had been abused, but that it may have gone on as long as Vickers and Wolfe had lived together, since May or June. Whether Wolfe suspected the abuse is unknown. “I don’t know if she’d been in denial,” Hall said about the mother’s knowledge. “This is one of the most disturbing cases I’ve had in my 17 years. That’s for sure,” he added. an autopsy aug. 28 confirmed the cause of death was a swollen brain and also indicated broken ribs in various stages of healing, the police report stated. Vickers was arrested on the abuse and murder charges while in custody at the Manatee County jail, where he was being held since an Aug. 24 arrest on a revoked driver’s license. HBPD also charged Vickers several days later for stealing Wolfe’s laptop and stereo. The 12th Circuit State Attorney formerly charged Vickers Sept. 15 with grand theft PLEASE SEE Murder PAGE 3

Giddy up!

The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales eight-horse hitch and beer wagon circles the roundabout Oct. 14 on its way to Bridge Street in Bradenton Beach. The horses traveled from St. Louis for the appearance on Bridge Street in celebration of Gold Coast Eagle Distributing of Sarasota winning the Anheuser-Busch “Red Jacket Award.” Gold Eagle delivered cases of beer to its restaurant-bar distributors and the crowd was “wowed” by the appearance of Budweiser’s iconic team, complete with its dalmation mascot. For more photos, see page 10. Islander Photo: Jack Elka

ZAGAT “Top Restaurants in America”

941-778-6444 www.BeachBistro.com

Crafted Cocktails

941-213-9926

www.DoctorsOfficeAMI.com

Florida Trend “Best New” Restaurant

941-778-0411 www.eathereflorida.com


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