North Port Sun

SARASOTA COUNTY — It took a 12-member jury over six hours to find Michael W. Rice guilty of the first-degree murder of Philippe Nahon. Rice, 25, was sentenced to life in prison without parole by 12th Circuit Judge Frederick Mercurio, a decision that brought Nahon’s friends and family to tears … Find out how to read more online.

LATEST LOCAL NEWS

Price Boulevard widening in works
Wed Apr 16 2014 08:00AM

NORTH PORT — Although the widening of Price Boulevard has been explored before, city commissioners and staff discussed the potential project with a sense of urgency in a Tuesday workshop. … Find out how to read more online.

Report: Shoplifting leads to pursuit
Wed Apr 16 2014 08:00AM

NORTH PORT — Two men and one woman were arrested Monday after allegedly stealing numerous items from Bealls Outlet and Ross department stores, then fleeing and nearly striking an officer … Find out how to read more online.

School Board ponders lobbyist hire
Wed Apr 16 2014 08:00AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — During a workshop Tuesday afternoon, members of the Sarasota County School Board agreed they would like to pursue hiring a lobbyist to speak on their behalf in … Find out how to read more online.

Wed Apr 16 2014 08:00AM

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State, National and World News

Ukraine fights uprising
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

KRAMATORSK, Ukraine — In the first Ukrainian military action against a pro-Russian uprising in the east, government forces repelled an attack Tuesday by about 30 gunmen at an airport, beginning what the president called an “anti-terrorist operation” to try to … read more.

US stock markets rebounds after choppy day
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — A stock market swoon turned into a comeback Tuesday. Stocks managed a late-afternoon rebound for the second time in two days as investors seemed to brush off a report of lower confidence among homebuilders and simmering … read more.

Congress is giving states transportation blues
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

DAYTON, Ohio — On the road in a tour bus this week, the U.S. transportation secretary is spreading some bad news: The government’s Highway Trust Fund is nearly broke. If allowed to run dry, that could set back or shut … read more.

Violence surges in Nigeria uprising
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — Suspected Muslim extremists kidnapped about 100 girls Tuesday from a school in northeastern Nigeria, less than a day after militants bombed a bus station and killed 75 people in the capital — a surge of violence … read more.

Storm surge risks get own graphics, warnings
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

ORLANDO (AP) — Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center hope new color- coded maps they’re trying out this year will simplify two important points about storm surge for coastal residents: how far from the beach the water will spread and … read more.

Robot sub returns to plane search
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

PERTH, Australia (AP) — A robotic submarine looking for the lost Malaysian jet began its second mission Tuesday after cutting short its first because the ocean waters where it was sent were too deep, officials said. Monday’s planned 16-hour search … read more.

One year later
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

BOSTON — Survivors, first responders and family members of those killed in the Boston Marathon bombing marked the anniversary Tuesday with tributes that combined sorrow over the loss of innocent victims with pride over the city’s resilience in the face … read more.

‘Blood moon’ delights sky gazers in the Americas
Wed Apr 16 2014 01:19AM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Sky-gazers in North and South America were treated to a full lunar eclipse — at least those fortunate enough to have clear skies. The moon was eclipsed by the Earth’s shadow early Tuesday, beginning around 1 … read more.

April 15: Soft deadline?
Tue Apr 15 2014 01:19AM

WASHINGTON — The calendar shows April 15, and you haven’t even started on your federal tax return? Chances are, you don’t need to fret. If you’re due a refund — and about three-fourths of filers get refunds — April 15 … read more.

Ukraine’s east in turmoil
Tue Apr 15 2014 01:19AM

HORLIVKA, Ukraine — The fuel is local, but the matches are Russian. That in a nutshell is how the insurgency threatening the survival of Ukraine as a unified state is increasingly unfolding. Over the past 10 days, more than a … read more.

Medical pot vote could boost Fla. Dems
Tue Apr 15 2014 01:19AM

MIAMI — Tied to an unpopular president and his signature health care law, Democrats in the nation’s largest swing state see medical marijuana as a potential antidote to political malaise in this year’s midterm elections. Party operatives are pushing a … read more.

Police: Mom admitted to killing 6 babies
Tue Apr 15 2014 01:19AM

PLEASANT GROVE, Utah — Megan Huntsman was clear about what she did with six of her newborn babies. Huntsman, 39, told police she either strangled or suffocated them immediately after they were born. She wrapped their bodies in a towel … read more.

Robotic submarine deployed in search for plane
Tue Apr 15 2014 01:19AM

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Search crews sent a robotic submarine deep into the Indian Ocean on Monday to begin scouring the seabed for the missing Malaysian airliner after failing for six days to detect any signals believed to be from … read more.

After attack, officials kill 5 bears in Florida
Tue Apr 15 2014 01:19AM

LAKE MARY (AP) — After a bear mauled a woman in the driveway of her suburban Florida home, dragging her 4 feet before she escaped, wildlife officials said Monday that they had killed five of the animals, who had become … read more.

Florida woman recovering after bear attack
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

LAKE MARY, Fla. (AP) — Wildlife officials are warning residents to watch out for bears on the move, particularly after a central Florida woman was attacked by a bear outside her home. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says … read more.

Underwater combat school in Keys marks 50 years
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

KEY WEST, Fla. (AP) — An underwater combat training school in Key West is marking its 50th anniversary. The Army Special Forces Underwater Operations School boasts a $10 million complex with a modern training pool and 50-foot dive tower, as … read more.

Shipwreck off Fla slated to be underwater preserve
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — A 19th century shipwreck in the waters off St. Petersburg is slated to become the state’s 12th underwater archaeological preserve. The USS Narcissus sank near Egmont Key in 1866 during a winter storm. The dedication … read more.

Jennifer Lopez, Laverne Cox win GLAAD Media Awards
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jennifer Lopez has added a couple of more trophies to her block. The pop star and “American Idol” judge was honored Saturday night at the 25th annual GLAAD Media Awards with the Vanguard Award, which lauds … read more.

Publix employee in Fla. celebrates 50-year career
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

LAKELAND, Fla. (AP) — A Publix employee in central Florida is celebrating his 50th year working for the grocery store chain. Larry Delaney is something of a rarity at Publix. In the company’s 83-year history, only 16 employees have reached … read more.

Abdullah, Ghani lead in partial Afghan vote tally
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — Two clear front-runners emerged in Afghanistan’s presidential election as partial results released Sunday showed a tight race that increasingly appears destined for a runoff vote. Both candidates promise a fresh start with the West, vowing to … read more.

NASA OKs space station visit despite dead computer
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA is pressing ahead with Monday’s planned launch of a supply ship despite a critical computer outage at the International Space Station, promising the situation is safe. Mission managers decided Sunday to proceed with the … read more.

Politics test Silicon Valley’s Russian ties
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

SAN MATEO, Calif. (AP) — Entrepreneurs and investors say Silicon Valley’s fast-growing financial ties with Russia’s tech sector are being slowed down by current political tensions between the White House and the Kremlin. “It’s safe to say a lot of … read more.

Legal minds eye quality control for convictions
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

NEW YORK (AP) — Hospitals have staff conferences to examine why patients died. Airline pilots have a system for voluntarily submitting information on safety concerns. Yet the life-and-death world of criminal justice often operates without a similar mechanism for probing … read more.

Obama, Republicans compete for support among women
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — After months on the defensive over his health law, a more combative President Barack Obama has emerged to fight about gender politics, leading to an election-year competition with Republicans for support from women. No single group will … read more.

Official: US looking into Syria toxic gas reports
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The U.S. ambassador to the United Nations said Sunday that reports of a poison gas attack in a rural village north of Damascus were so far “unsubstantiated,” adding that the United States was trying to establish … read more.

Israeli peace negotiator offers optimism on talks
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel’s chief peace negotiator on Sunday accused a hard-line faction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s increasingly unwieldy coalition government of undermining her efforts, while Jewish settlers moved into a sensitive West Bank building that has been a … read more.

Rand Paul: US ‘can’t invite the whole world’
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Rand Paul says potential White House rival Jeb Bush was inarticulate when he described immigrants who come to the United States illegally as committing an “act of love.” In an interview that aired Sunday, Paul said … read more.

Missing plane’s black box batteries may have died
Mon Apr 14 2014 01:19AM

PERTH, Australia (AP) — Following four strong underwater signals in the past week, all has gone quiet in the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines jet, meaning the batteries in the plane’s all-important black boxes may finally have died. Despite … read more.

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More Local News

Postal workers deal with Easter, Tax Day
Wed Apr 16 2014 08:00AM

Between customers with tax returns and Easter eggs, it was double trouble early this week for local postal workers. But they were ready for it. “It’s kind of like a one-two punch this week,” said Steven Bernier, postmaster of Punta … Find out how to read more online.

City basketball game to benefit Project Graduation
Wed Apr 16 2014 08:00AM

NORTH PORT — The community is invited to a basketball game in which city employees will take on North Port High School seniors to raise funds for Project Graduation. Several city of North Port employees have volunteered their time to … Find out how to read more online.

City argues over attorney transparency
Tue Apr 15 2014 08:00AM

NORTH PORT — City Commissioner Linda Yates argued with other board members Monday over whether a consultant company’s in-house attorney position profile should be decided on in a public meeting. “The search process needs to be as transparent as possible,” … Find out how to read more online.

Man in ‘Spice’ ring sentenced
Tue Apr 15 2014 10:40AM

SARASOTA COUNTY — A North Port man has been sentenced to a year in prison for his role in a regional synthetic marijuana ring after his arrest in January. Sayed Mohammed Jan, 33, was previously charged with possession of a … Find out how to read more online.

Jury to continue deliberations today in fatal shooting
Mon Apr 14 2014 07:01PM

SARASOTA COUNTY — Jury deliberations in the insanity defense trial of Michael W. Rice, who is charged with the first-degree murder of Philippe Nahon, are stretching into a second day. The 12-member jury broke for deliberations around 4:45 p.m. Monday … Find out how to read more online.

Authorities: Few incidents at boat races
Tue Apr 15 2014 08:00AM

Crowds in the Englewood Beach area for the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand Prix were mostly relaxed, despite a handful of weekend arrests and a half-dozen medical 911 calls to the beach area during the race, according to officials. … Find out how to read more online.

Englewood settles down post-boat race
Tue Apr 15 2014 08:00AM

ENGLEWOOD — At Englewood Beach Monday, Bruce Tobiassen prepared the Miss Geico powerboat for its trip back to Riviera Beach. Miss Geico blew a drive shaft, sustained other damage, and couldn’t race in the inaugural Charlotte Harbor Super Boat Grand … Find out how to read more online.

Compromise reached on bill
Tue Apr 15 2014 08:00AM

Ashley Lotempio’s son was just 18 months old when he first began showing signs of a mental illness. At first, the Texas native was told her son was simply being a rambunctious little boy. He’d grow out of it, doctors and … Find out how to read more online.

Soggy week on tap
Mon Apr 14 2014 08:00AM

A front moving through Southwest Florida will bring with it rain for the majority of the week. The front will begin moving into the area Tuesday afternoon, bringing with it the possibility of thunderstorms, said Ernie Jillson, a meteorologist with … Find out how to read more online.

Fans flock to Englewood for fun, sun and high-speed boats
Mon Apr 14 2014 08:00AM

ENGLEWOOD — Dave Sharpnack would likely never have made it to the white sand beach on Manasota Key if it hadn’t been for the powerboat races held in Englewood Sunday. But now the 65-year-old race fan out of Denver, Colo., … Find out how to read more online.

Big beer vs. small craft brewers
Mon Apr 14 2014 08:00AM

PUNTA GORDA — Bill Frazer has been working for months to transform a Charlotte Street warehouse space into Fat Point Brewing Company, marking the first microbrewery in Charlotte County. The engineer-turned-brewer has his state and federal licenses in hand to … Find out how to read more online.

Freeman remembers Tet Offensive in 1969
Mon Apr 14 2014 08:00AM

Tet was the big battle former Air Force Sgt. Jack Freeman of Port Charlotte recalls most vividly from his year-long deployment to Vietnam. Some 80,000 North Vietnamese Army (NVA) and Vietcong (VC) troops struck all of the U.S. and South … Find out how to read more online.

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