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THURSDAY, MAY 24, 2012
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MOST READ STORIES ONLINE LAST WEEK: 1. “Restaurant rumors spark parking concerns” (May 17) 2. “Key celebrates lively season” (May 17) 3. “FPL busts myths at SKA meeting” (May 10) 4. “Wine shop proposal culminates in wedding” (May 17) 5. “Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar expands their brand” (May 10)
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NEWSBRIEFS
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+ Hines joins commission race Charles Hines will run for the open District 5 seat on the Sarasota County Commission. The seat is now available after the Florida Supreme Court ruled term limits constitutional, thus halting Commissioner Jon Thaxton’s re-election run. Hines, a Nokomis attorney, officially announced his candidacy Friday, May 18, eight days after the ruling. Job creation and balancing the county budget are some of his top priorities, according to a news release. Hines joins William Brian Slider and former North Port City Commissioner Vanessa Carusone, both Republicans, in the race for Thaxton’s seat. “I believe my life, education, volunteerism and experience have prepared me for this role,” Hines said in a written statement.
+ Commission extends sunset for Village permits The Sarasota Board of County Commissioners approved an amendment to extend the sunset period for temporary-use permits for Siesta Key Village bars and restaurants from June 8 this year to July 14, 2014. County staff worked with representatives from the Siesta Key Association, the Siesta Key Village Association and the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce to adopt an ordinance allowing outside special events for specific dates and within time guidelines. No temporary-use permits have been issued by press time.
+ Sarasota outdoes state on FCAT Six days after the State Board of
IN THE KITCHEN: Watch a video of Karel Beck making rosemary parmesan shortbread, a recipe passed along from her friend.
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Meetings &agendas Gulf Gate Library public meeting — 5 p.m. Thursday, May 24, St. Andrew United Church of Christ, 6908 Beneva Road, Sarasota Siesta Key Village Association — 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key Sarasota County Commission Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 5, R.L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice Siesta Key Association — 4:30 p.m. Thursday, June 7, St. Boniface Episcopal, Room F, 5615 Midnight Pass Road., Siesta Key Tourist Development Council — 4 p.m. Thursday, June 7, R.L. Anderson Administration Building, 4000 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice
Education gathered for an emergency meeting to discuss abysmal scores on the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test, data was released showing a larger ratio of Sarasota County students scored above average than the state. For the writing portion of the exam, which was given to students in grade three through 10, more than 85% of students in grades four, eight and 10 scored more than a 3 or higher than the state average. The board of education considers scores greater than 3 to be proficient. The threshold of 3 is the result of education officials recently lowering the proficient level from 4.