North Port Sun

NORTH PORT — The city’s director of Public Works, Branford Adumuah, officially resigned from his position this week, and his last day of work will be March 13, according to his resignation letter. Adumuah has worked for Public Works for 10 years, taking over as the director of the department … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Rays fans take detour from traffic woes
Fri Mar 6 2015 08:30AM

PORT CHARLOTTE — Tom Robertson was planning to play a little hooky from work Friday to watch the first spring training game of the Tampa Bay Rays. What he didn’t … Find out how to read more online.

Road-widening forces razing of $55K gateway sign
Fri Mar 6 2015 08:30AM

NORTH PORT — Due to a road-widening project on U.S. 41, the city is being required to tear down the North Port gateway monument near Cranberry Boulevard, which cost nearly … Find out how to read more online.

Cloudy, breezy weather expected this weekend
Fri Mar 6 2015 08:30AM

The forecast calls for a “cloudy weekend” ahead for Southwest Floridans. A cold front is moving in today, according to Charlie Paxton, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, bringing … Find out how to read more online.

Sign of the car-pocalypse?
Thu Mar 5 2015 02:53PM

CHARLOTTE COUNTY — Transit manager Rick Kolar was among those able to exhale Wednesday, after a nine-car fatal pileup on the interstate the day before virtually gridlocked traffic in the … Find out how to read more online.

State, National and World News

Syria says it killed military leader of al-Qaida group
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

BEIRUT (AP) — The military commander of al-Qaida’s Syrian affiliate was killed Thursday in an explosion targeting a meeting of senior militants in northern Syria which also killed and wounded a number of other fighters. State-run news agency SANA said … read more.

Envelopes with white powder found at Canadian offices
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

TORONTO (AP) — Authorities in Quebec launched an investigation after envelopes containing a suspicious white powder were found Thursday in the district offices of at least two Conservative Canadian cabinet ministers. A government official later said the powder sent to … read more.

Cardinal Egan, retired NY archbishop, dies at age 82
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Cardinal Edward Egan, the former archbishop of New York who oversaw a broad and sometimes unpopular financial overhaul of the archdiocese and played a prominent role in the city after the Sept. 11 terror attacks, died … read more.

Late winter snowstorm blankets South, Northeast
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A late winter storm blanketed the Northeast on Thursday after zipping across much of the South, leaving hundreds of drivers stranded on highways in Kentucky and thousands without power in West Virginia. By midday Thursday, a strong … read more.

Iraq says Islamic State militants ‘bulldozed’ ancient site
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

BAGHDAD (AP) — Islamic State militants “bulldozed” the ancient Nimrud archaeological site near the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Thursday using heavy military vehicles, the government said. A statement from Iraq’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities didn’t elaborate on … read more.

NATO, Russia exchange barbs reminiscent of Cold War days
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

RIGA, Latvia (AP) — NATO and Russia exchanged heated language reminiscent of Cold War days on Thursday with accusations of sinister geopolitical plotting and human rights abuses flying across an increasingly deep divide. NATO’s top U.S. civilian official, Alexander Vershbow, … read more.

PLO calls for ending security coordination with Israel
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A top body in the Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday called for ending security coordination with Israel — a step that could further escalate tensions. It is not clear if Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will … read more.

Maker of device in ‘superbug’ outbreak lacked FDA clearance
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — The manufacturer of a medical instrument at the center of a recent “superbug” outbreak in Los Angeles did not receive federal clearance to sell an updated version the device, according to officials from the Food and Drug … read more.

A year after losing Crimea, stronger Ukraine military emerges
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

KIEV, Ukraine — The irony of a year of war with Russia is that Ukraine today is far better prepared to defend itself than it was last March, after Russian troops invaded the Crimean peninsula. It’s been a year of … read more.

Last Ebola patient is released in Liberia
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

MONROVIA, Liberia (AP) — Liberia released its last Ebola patient, a 58-year old teacher, from a treatment center on Thursday, beginning its countdown to being declared Ebola free. “I am one of the happiest human beings today on earth because … read more.

Florida Senate Democrats push anti-discrimination bills
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Democrats in the Florida Senate say the state needs new anti-discrimination laws to protect gays, former felons and pregnant women. The senators also told a Tallahassee press conference Friday that they want mandatory paid sick leave … read more.

Records: 2 brothers to plead guilty in Florida terror plot
Thu Mar 5 2015 09:15PM

MIAMI (AP) — Court records show that two Pakistani-born brothers tentatively plan to plead guilty in Florida in a federal case accusing them of plotting a terrorist attack against New York landmarks. U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom on Thursday scheduled … read more.

Florida lawmakers criticize Obama’s changes to Cuba policy
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Republican lawmakers blasted President Barack Obama’s decision to restore diplomatic relations with Cuba on Thursday, saying it will only serve to empower the communist nation that’s been ruled by a dictatorship since 1959. Republican members of … read more.

Stetson University ponders on-campus pub
Thu Mar 5 2015 09:15PM

DELAND, Fla. (AP) — Beer on campus? That’s a possibility at Stetson University where the school’s leaders are considering turning a coffee shop into a pub-like setting where beer and wine would be served some evenings. The Daytona Beach News-Journal … read more.

Orange juice sales post biggest decline in 3 years
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) — If Florida citrus needs a hero, it needs one right now. A month after posting the best results in seven months, U.S. orange juice sales posted its biggest decline in nearly three years. The disappointing … read more.

Police: Florida mom forces boy to jump from window
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Police in St. Petersburg say a woman forced her 8-year-old son to jump out of a second-floor window before she jumped as well in an apparent suicide attempt. Authorities say their conditions don’t appear to … read more.

Plane skids off LaGuardia runway, crashes into fence by bay
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — A Delta plane from Atlanta skidded off a runway at LaGuardia Airport while landing during a snowstorm Thursday and crashed through a chain-link fence, its nose coming to rest perilously close to the icy waters of … read more.

European Central Bank: Recovery is strengthening
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

NICOSIA, Cyprus (AP) — The European Central Bank will unleash its 1.1 trillion euro ($1.2 trillion) stimulus program on Monday — and says the prospect is already boosting the eurozone economy. Mario Draghi, the bank’s president, said consumers and businesses … read more.

Jurors in Jodi Arias case: We were 11-1 for death penalty
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

PHOENIX (AP) — Jurors who deadlocked on the punishment for convicted murderer Jodi Arias, sparing her life, said Thursday that they were 11-1 in favor of the death penalty and tried unsuccessfully to get the lone holdout kicked off the … read more.

Strange circumstances surround gold heist on Interstate 95
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

WILSON, N.C. (AP) — Details emerging from the theft of nearly $5 million in gold bars on an interstate highway indicate the heist was carefully planned and raise questions about who was involved other than the three armed robbers. The … read more.

Utah LGBT anti-discrimination bill passes 1st test
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A landmark Utah proposal protecting gay and transgender individuals passed its first test at the state Legislature on Thursday when a Republican-controlled Senate committee offered its unanimous and at times emotional support of the measure. … read more.

House passes bill to clean, protect Florida’s water
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

TALLAHASSEE (AP) — The Florida House passed a bill that supporters say will help clean and protect the state’s waterways while planning for increased water demand in the future. The bill passed Thursday on a 106-9 vote. Critics, however, say … read more.

US stocks edge higher
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market closed slightly higher on Thursday as gains for utilities and financial stocks were largely offset by losses in energy and materials companies. Kroger jumped after reporting better-than-expected earnings that were boosted in part … read more.

Largest US banks all pass latest round of Fed ‘stress tests’
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — All of the nation’s 31 largest banks are adequately fortified to withstand a severe U.S. and global recession and keep lending, the Federal Reserve said Thursday. Results of the Fed’s annual “stress tests” show that as a … read more.

Ringling Bros. to give up elephant acts in 3 years
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

POLK CITY, Fla. (AP) — The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus says the “Greatest Show on Earth” will go on without elephants. Animal rights groups took credit for generating the public concern that forced the company to announce … read more.

Iranian role in fighting IS in Iraq: Where will it lead?
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Iran’s growing influence in Iraq is setting off alarm bells, and nowhere is the problem starker than in the high-stakes battle for Tikrit. It marks a crucial fight in the bigger war to expel the Islamic State … read more.

States on edge about the future of health insurance markets
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

MIAMI (AP) — Mixed signals from the Supreme Court have states on edge about the future of health insurance subsidies for millions of Americans. And a summer decision from the justices leaves little time for backup planning. Many governors, especially … read more.

Harrison Ford reported engine failure before plane crash
Fri Mar 6 2015 01:19AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Harrison Ford reported engine failure shortly after takeoff and told air-traffic controllers he was returning to the airport before crash-landing his vintage plane on a nearby golf course in Los Angeles In a communication with the … read more.

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More Local News

Judge: Murder case not affected by recordings
Thu Mar 5 2015 02:53PM

PUNTA GORDA — A judge has decided a local murder case has not been hindered, despite allegations of governmental misconduct and denial of due process because jail staff sent a recording of a privileged conversation between the incarcerated defendant and … Find out how to read more online.

South Sarasota County schools to get new computers
Thu Mar 5 2015 05:02PM

SARASOTA COUNTY — Several local schools are getting brand-new computers this summer. Following the Sarasota County School Board members’ approval Tuesday night of a nearly $8.75 million contract with Hewlett-Packard, students at Englewood Elementary, Cranberry and Atwater elementaries, North Port … Find out how to read more online.

Commissioners: South Sarasota County underrepresented
Thu Mar 5 2015 05:06PM

SARASOTA COUNTY — Some Sarasota County commissioners would like to see more South County representation on the county’s Planning Commission. At Wednesday’s County Commission meeting, board members appointed Mark Hawkins of Sarasota to fill the seat left vacant by the … Find out how to read more online.

NPPD officer arrested
Wed Mar 4 2015 08:31AM

NORTH PORT — A North Port Police K-9 officer was arrested early Monday morning after a drawn-out struggle with his estranged girlfriend at the home they share together, according to a Sarasota County Sheriff’s report. Michael Lee Dietz, 39, of … Find out how to read more online.

Local health department could lose major services
Wed Mar 4 2015 08:31AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — The Sarasota County Health Department anticipates losing $1.9 million in federal funding for primary health care services for thousands of North Port and Englewood residents each year. On Tuesday, county commissioners learned the local health department isn’t … Find out how to read more online.

NPHS Wind Ensemble excels at competition
Thu Mar 5 2015 08:30AM

After playing several difficult musical selections, the North Port Wind Ensemble recently took straight superiors at a regional concert festival. The event was held at Riverview High School in Sarasota this past weekend. Students in bands from five counties — … Find out how to read more online.

County homeless services director to receive Public Citizen of Year Award
Fri Mar 6 2015 08:30AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — The Sarasota/Manatee Unit of the Florida Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers will present the county’s director of Homeless Services, Wayne Applebee, with the 2015 Public Citizen of the Year Award during its annual Social … Find out how to read more online.

Anderson building revamp in limbo
Tue Mar 3 2015 08:30AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — Sarasota County staff should know later this month the next step to take in plans to refurbish the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center in South Venice. Last year, county commissioners approved nearly $4 million for renovations to … Find out how to read more online.