When beachcombers saw the eagle, they knew the majestic animal was in trouble. The eagle had crashed down into the Gulf of Mexico about 200 yards offshore in Venice earlier this week, and those who witnessed the flight noticed the bird was unable to pull itself out of the water.

Published: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, February 1, 2010 at 10:40 p.m. Add this to the toll taken by the recession: Blood donations are so low that directors fear they will need to tap national stockpiles to make it through the busy spring season.

Published: Sunday, January 31, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 6:48 p.m. At 91, maybe John Zanine should expect to have some problems renewing his driver's license.

Published: Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, January 21, 2010 at 10:14 a.m. In spite of the lifestyle trend to downsize and the severely downsized economy, many people resolutely hang onto their stuff.

Published: Saturday, January 23, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, January 22, 2010 at 11:08 p.m. SARASOTA - To the room full of cancer patients struggling to pay their bills, the pharmacy director made her strained pitch.

Since 2003, Steven Lee Berhalter has given hearing tests, diagnosed patients and fitted them with hearing aids at his shop on Pinebrook Road in Venice.

The "National Register of Historical Places, Districts and Structures Located in Venice, Nokomis, Laurel, Osprey, Florida" will be launched at a reception at 5:30-7:30 p.m. Jan.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office believes it has solved several Venice area burglaries following the arrest of Ross Edward Pero, 25, of 436 E. Shade Drive, Venice.

Charla Burchett, a Sarasota attorney, celebrated the 20th anniversary of her practice by inviting her clients to participate in Charla's Community All Stars.

Published: Friday, January 8, 2010 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 8:50 p.m. Near-freezing temperatures this week sent animal owners in droves to pet stores, where they emptied shelves of doggie parkas, sweaters and horse blankets.

From a small second floor office in the city's historic Triangle Inn, James Hagler puts finishing touches on a pictorial history book of South Sarasota County.

Unique leaded stained glass wall hangings created by Nokomis artist Sam Murray will be featured in a one-person show during January at Art Uptown on lower Main Street in Sarasota.

People living in a Nokomis neighborhood say they're still dealing with the impacts of a huge sewage spill and they say they're still not getting any answers as the smell of raw sewage now mixes with the odor of dead fish and animals.

Close to the busiest intersection in Venice, the old Cox Lumber Yard at 100 Center Road has been acquired by Brian McMurphy who will develop it as Big Toys Storage Center and a retail showroom for high end and classic used cars.

This auction features collectible, Fireman/Firehouse related toys and items, with a percent of proceeds to benefit the Nokomis Fire Department.

Back by popular demand, the Golden Dragon Acrobats will dazzle audiences young and old at The Players Theatre in late December and early January.

Published: Sunday, December 20, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 18, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. David Merrill, whose guest column appears below, is right: The scenic parts of the U.S. 41 Scenic Highway in Sarasota County -- or in Manatee and Charlotte, for that matter -- are few and far between.

When it's bad, you can hardly breathe. Red tide can kill fish... and any inclination to go near a beach.

Published: Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. Last Modified: Thursday, December 17, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. A red tide bloom that is strong enough to cause fish kills and cause coughing among beachgoers has been detected off the coast of Sarasota County, near Nokomis beach.

Published: Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, December 11, 2009 at 5:36 p.m. The Florida Department of Transportation and its private-sector contractors have made progress toward reducing the impacts of highway projects.