North Sarasota News

Sarasota voters resoundingly rejected the strong-mayor referendum and ousted Vice Mayor Ken Shelin from office.

To the south of Emma E. Booker Elementary School and north of Lime Lake lies a 3-acre plot the Sarasota County Public Schools District owns and Sarasota County wishes to utilize for Lime Lake Park.

Community leaders say a diminished police presence has meant more drug dealers on street corners in the Newtown neighborhood, even as police tout their anti-crime efforts there.

Two powerful business organizations appear perched on the edge of a merger. The tentatively named Downtown Sarasota Council would bring together the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, with its 1,800 members, and the Downtown Partnership, which "is comprised of members from businesses, merchants and city residents," according to the group.

Local citizens like these are helping to turn an old, littered borrow pit called Lime Lake into a community park.

Published: Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 1:00 a.m. Last Modified: Monday, September 28, 2009 at 7:40 p.m. Since March, gun violence has killed four people and injured at least six more in north Sarasota.

Despite current economic conditions, buying a home may not be out of reach for those with low to moderate incomes.

Venice Theatre Director Allan Kollar, Musical Director Michelle Kasanofsky and Choreographer Cynthia Ashford have a treat planned for audiences in the Venice Theatre reprisal of the best-selling cabaret, "My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra." The show opens the theatre's 2009-2010 Cabaret Season, running on the Pinkerton Stage from Aug.

For more than 36 years Dr. Ed James has been bringing ABC 7 viewers stories of black hope, black pride, black accomplishment and black history.

Anthony Freeman, left, became involved with Man Up after Lyndon Jones, right, spoke at Bethlehem Baptist Church.

For more than 36 years Dr. Ed James has been bringing ABC 7 viewers stories of black hope, black pride, black accomplishment and black history.

Published: Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. Last Modified: Friday, June 19, 2009 at 11:35 a.m. Hole of the week: No.

On Thursday, June 18, at 8:30 a.m., the City of Sarasota will host its sixth public forum about paid on-street parking.