Historic Englewood
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adno=3743231-1 TODAY'S WEATHER Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota SUN The Sunday SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2020 | YOURSUN.COM | AN EDITION OF THE SUN | $3.00 The mask debate is just about every- where lately. I've been wondering why this is such a big deal. I put my mask on when I stop by the grocery store and in crowded areas. It looks like about half the people in the stores are doing the same. A recent online survey that we did at the Sun asked if residents should be required to wear a mask in public. The results were YES at 49%, NO at 48% and TORN at 3%. It's pretty evenly split — surprisingly to me. This is not an official survey, but it's still interesting. Wearing a mask seems like a relative- ly easy CDC-recommended preventive measure to slow the spread of the disease. All we have to do is three sim- ple things: Wash our hands frequently, distance and wear a mask. Not bad. Better than being stuck at home. Since the disease spreads mostly by droplets from our breathing, sneezing and coughing, I'm thinking mask wearing is the most important part of the CDC recommendations. In many places wearing a mask is now an ordinance or an order of some type. I'm not sure how the enforcement is going, but once the local or state govern- ment passes it, I think the vast majority Wearing a mask doesn't seem like a big ask GLEN NICKERSON Publisher and editor of The Daily Sun COVID-19 SINKS FREEDOM SWIM Long-time annual event in Charlotte County canceled PAGE 1C Allegiant will soon require masks on flights PAGE 1C By CARLI TEPROFF MIAMI HERALD (TNS) MIAMI — Florida's Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 9,585 additional cases of COVID-19, surpassing Friday's re- cord-breaking 8,942 cases. The new cases brings the state total of confirmed cases to 132,545. There were also 24 new deaths announced Saturday, bringing the statewide death toll to 3,390. In just over a week, Florida has reported nearly 40,000 new cases, which accounts for about a third of all the confirmed cases in the state since the pandemic began. On Friday, the state suspend- ed alcohol consumption at bars and Miami-Dade announced that beaches would be closed and most parades and parties canceled for July 4. And while several Miami- Dade cities are requiring people to wear masks in public, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday refused to make a statewide mandate. Miami-Dade County saw 1,366 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one new death. The county's known total is now at 31,562. The death toll is at 947, the highest in the state. Broward County reported 726 additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one new death. The county's confirmed total is now at 14,046. The death toll is at 382. One of the tools that officials are relying on to determine State reports 9,585 new cases Saturday CORONAVIRUS By AAMER MADHANI ASSOCIATED PRESS Forgive the American people if they're in a fog about face masks. President Donald Trump and the fed- eral government have done a number on them. First there was the don't-do-it phase. Then the nice-but-not-for-me disso- nance. Followed by the local-rules- don't-apply exceptions. Topped off by Trump's stated suspicion that some people wear masks just to troll him. It has all added up to a murky message about one of the critical tools in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. And the politicization of the Control and Prevention recommends that people wear cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain. Some states and local communities require them. But the messaging disconnect from Washington was evident as recently as Friday, when Vice President Mike Pence defended Trump's decision to stage two big mask-scarce gatherings in the past week in states with big surges in infections and, in one case, local rules requiring masks. "We just believe that what's most Feds' mixed messages on masks sow confusion By SUE ERWIN STAFF WRITER Blue ribbons blew in the wind over the Peace River on Saturday morning. Drivers traveling the north- bound Barron Collier Bridge connecting Punta Gorda to Port Charlotte honked their horns to salute law enforcement for their work and dedication to the community. About 400 people gathered at Laishley Park to attend the Turn the Bridge Blue Unity March and to hear inspirational speakers, pray together and walk the bridge to support local officers. "I support the law, not loot- ing," said Punta Gorda resident Christine Dutkiewicz when asked why she chose to come to the event. Organizer Judy Ramirez thanked everyone for coming out on the hot, muggy morning. "It's so comforting to see all of you here today," Ramirez said. "And it's so important that you are here to support our local heroes." Many people carried flags and wore T-shirts representing various organizations that support law enforcement. BACKING THE BLUE Community thanks the police in peaceful rally SUN PHOTO BY JERRY BEARD Turn the Bridge Blue Unity March participants walk beneath U.S. 41 at Bayshore Live Oak Park in Port Charlotte on Saturday. Participants wore blue and tied blue ribbons on the northbound U.S. 41 bridge to show support for local law enforcement. SEE BLUE, 4A INSIDE What happens after a positive test? Find out on 5A The Sunday COVID-19 SINKS FREEDOM SWIM Long-tim event in County PAGE 1C By BETSY CALVERT STAFF WRITER Only four Intensive Care Unit beds remained available Monday evening in Charlotte County hospi- tals as Florida experiences a recent increase in COVID-19 cases. Only two ICU beds were open at Fawcett Memorial Hospital in Port Charlotte and Bayfront Health Port Charlotte on Monday. None were a 70-year-old woman on June 28. As rates across the state sky- rocket, concern has moved back TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 | YOURSUN.COM | AN EDITION OF THE SUN | $1.50 High 93, Low 76 Partly sunny and humid TODAY'S WEATHER SUN The Daily Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota DELICIOUS CHILI RECIPE And other flavorful dishes perfect for summer cookouts. PAGE 8D MLB releases 2020 schedule. First game July 23. PAGE 7B By ADRIANA GOMEZ LICON and LISA MARIE PANE ASSOCIATED PRESS MIAMI — Hospitals rapidly approached capacity across the Sunbelt, and the Miami area closed restaurants and gyms again because of the surging coronavirus Monday, as the U.S. emerged from a Fourth of July weekend of picnics, pool parties and beach outings that health officials fear could fuel the rapidly worsening outbreak. The seesaw effect — restrictions lifted, then reimposed — has been seen around the country in recent weeks and is expected again after a holiday that saw crowds of people celebrating, many without masks. "We were concerned before the weekend and remain concerned post-holiday, as anecdotal stories and observed behavior indicate that many continue to disregard important protective guidance," said Heather Woolwine, a spokes- woman for the Medical University of South Carolina. Confirmed cases are on the rise in 41 out of 50 states plus the District of Columbia, and the per- centage of tests coming back positive for the virus is increasing in 39 states. Florida, which recorded an all-time high of 11,400 new cases Saturday and has seen its positive test rate lately reach more than 18%, has been hit especially hard, along with other Sunbelt states such as Arizona, California and Texas. A virus outbreak in the California Legislature indefinitely delayed the state Assembly's return to work from a scheduled summer recess. Five people in- cluding Assemblywoman Autumn Burke tested positive. Coronavirus hospitalizations in California have increased 56% in the past two By DAVE KOLPACK ASSOCIATED PRESS FARGO, N.D. — A judge on Monday ordered the Dakota Access pipeline shut down for additional environmental review more than three years after it began pumping oil — handing a victory to the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and delivering a blow to President Donald Trump's efforts to weaken public health and environmental protections it views as obstacles to businesses. In a 24-page order, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington, D.C., wrote that he was "mindful of the disruption" that shutting down the pipeline would cause, but that it must be done within 30 days. Pipeline owner Energy Transfer plans to ask a court to halt the order and will seek an expe- dited appeal, spokeswoman Vicki Granado said. The order comes after Boesberg said in April that a more extensive review was necessary than what the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers already conducted and that he would consider whether the pipeline should be shuttered during the new assessment. "The Court does not reach its decision with blithe disregard for the lives it will affect," Hospitals approach capacity as Miami closes restaurants Number of confirmed virus cases, hospitalizations climb rapidly Judge orders Dakota Access pipeline shut down AP PHOTO A nun with the Saint Ann Mission, who declined to give her name, leaves a COVID-19 testing site Monday after being tested at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Clinica Campesina Health Center, during the coronavirus pandemic, in Homestead. The testing is sponsored by Community Health of South Florida. STAFF REPORT All Charlotte County in-person high school graduation ceremonies have been canceled. The Charlotte County School District announced the decision Monday evening. "It is with great disappointment that I announce the cancellation of all in-person Charlotte County Schools graduation ceremonies for the Class of 2020 scheduled for next week," said the press release by district spokesperson Mike Riley. "This was an incredibly hard decision but due to By MARK SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON — In a decision flavored with references to "Hamilton" and "Veep," the Supreme Court ruled unanimously Monday that states can require presidential electors to back their states' popular vote winner in the Electoral College. The ruling, in cases in Washington state and Colorado just under four months before the 2020 election, leaves in place laws in 32 states and the District of Columbia that bind electors to vote for the popular-vote winner, as electors almost always do anyway. So-called faithless electors have not been critical to the outcome of a presidential election, but that could change in a race decided by just a few electoral votes. It takes 270 electoral votes to win the presidency. A state may instruct "electors that they have no ground for reversing the vote of millions of its citizens," Justice Elena Kagan wrote in her majority opinion that walked through American political and constitutional history with an occasional nod to pop culture. Charlotte County graduations canceled Supreme Court rules states can bind electors' votes SEE PIPELINE SEE VOTES, 4A ICU beds down to 8% in Charlotte County County reports first new coronavirus death since June 13 SEE BEDS, 7A SEE CANCELED, 7A Inside Community plans 'alternate graduation' for North Port seniors Page 1B _ By BETSY CALVERT STAFF WRITER Only four Intensive Care Unit beds remained available Monday evening in Charlotte County hospi- tals as Florida experiences a recent increase in COVID-19 cases. Only two ICU beds were o Fawcett Memorial Hospital Charlotte and Bayfront He Charlotte on Monday. No TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2020 | YOURSUN.COM | AN EDITION OF THE SUN | $1.50 Daily Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota ta DELICIOUS CHILI RECIPE And ot dishe sum PAG ICU beds down in Charlotte C County reports first new coronavirus death since June 13 Charlotte • DeSoto • Sarasota SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2020 | YOURSUN.COM | AN EDITION OF THE SUN | $3.00 Alle soo ma PA By CARLI TEPROFF MIAMI HERALD (TNS) MIAMI — Florida's Department of Health on Saturday confirmed 9,585 additional cases of COVID-19, surpassing Friday's re- cord-breaking 8,942 cases. The new cases brings the state total of confirmed cases to 132,545. There were also 24 new deaths announced Saturday, bringing the statewide death toll to 3,390. In just over a week, Florida has reporte cases, whi a third of cases in t pandemi On Fr ed alcoh and Mi that b and m canc State reports 9,585 CORON By SUE ERWIN STAFF WRITER BACKIN Community thanks the police in peaceful rally INSIDE What happens after a positive test? Find out on 5A Good morning to Gondolier Sun subscriber Ben Norton | $1.00 INSIDE TODAY AT YOUR SERVICE DEATHS Anne B. Hoffman WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 2019 | VENICEGONDOLIERSUN.COM | LOCAL NEWS COVER TO COVER | AN EDITION OF THE SUN | $1.00 STAFF REPORT SOUTH VENICE — Four Venice residents and a North Port woman were among 16 people arrested in an oper- ation targeting retail theft in Sarasota County, authorities said. A five-day operation focused on stores in Sarasota and along South Tamiami Trail in Venice, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday. "The unique public-private partner - ship between the sheriff's office and local retailers began in 2013 with the goal of working together to curb retail theft," the Sheriff's Office said in a news release. The 16 people arrested face a total of 41 varied charges. Area residents involved included: • Amanda Pepi, 32, of the 6500 block of Glacier Avenue in North Port, faces a charge of petit theft. • Erin Mahoney, 33, of the 100 block of Pointe Loop Drive, Venice, is charged with petit theft, possession of methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia. • Amanda Wessel, 29, of the 400 block of Gulf Breeze Boulevard North, Venice, is charged with two counts of probation violation. • Richard Deemer, 29, of the 300 block of Alligator Place, Venice, is charged with possession of marijuana and driving with a suspended license. • Cecelia Sliker, 48, of the 600 block of South Neponsit Drive, Venice, is charged with one count of petit theft. "These retail operations are part of our intelligence-led policing model," said Sarasota County Sheriff Tom Knight in a news release. "Based on crime analysis, we can look at hot spots and deploy resources during these maintenance-type initiatives. Our goal Operation nets 41 charges for 16 people Sheriff's Office operation focusing on retail theft results in arrests of four Venice residents PEPI WESSEL MAHONEY DEEMER SLIKER 25 facts about the Census, and how you can get involved By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH STAFF WRITER I t has grown a lot since 1790 when Thomas Jefferson, the then-sec- retary of state, led the first one. But the Census is still as important as ever. "The six inquiries in 1790 called for questions on gender, race, relationship to the head of household, name of the head of house- hold, and the number of slaves, if any," information from the Census states. Back then, the Census was taken in the original 13 states, along with the districts of Kentucky, Maine, and Vermont, and what's now Tennessee. Since then, the country has burgeoned with an increasingly diverse population of around 330 million people in more than 140 million housing units. And for the first time in 2020, the U.S. Census Bureau will also be accepting responses online. Everyone needs to be count- ed, and thousands of people are needed to help in 2020. Legislative redistricting and governmental funding hinge on the required tally that happens every 10 years. Want to count? By BOB MUDGE SENIOR WRITER A palm-tree disease has a new name that more accurately states its effect on the plants: lethal bronzing. There's no cure. Most often an infected tree will be a goner within six months. Formerly called Texas Phoenix palm decline, the disease is known to attack 16 species of palm trees found in the state and has been identi fied in 31 counties, according to University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural in 2006. Two years later it was only present in three counties, Deadly palm-tree disease is spreading Lethal bronzing present in nearly half the counties in the state, there's no cure SEE CENSUS SEE THEFT, 4A GREG GILES NEWS EDITOR It's not every day teens get a chance to strap on a holstered stun gun, albeit a non-firing replica, and arrest someone complete with real handcuffs. But that's what a group of teens did at a recent training day with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office's Rightful Policing unit. It was the culmination of a summer youth "camp" that focused on job opportunities in law enforcement. By all accounts, the 31 young men and women who partici- pated in Laurel Civic Center's Teen Empowerment Summer Program, held Monday- Thursday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., loved it. They came from as far away as north Sarasota down to North Port. This year's focus was expos- ing youth to law enforcement job opportunities. The seven week program included field trips to ICE headquarters in Florida, FBI headquarters, Homeland Security, the Sarasota County probation department, Sheriff's Office Rightful Policing and animal control. The summer program has become so popular, in fact, it's not uncommon for students to return for two or three seasons. "It was amazing," said Brianna Jones, 15, entering her sophomore year at Venice High. "I almost didn't go but when I looked at the descrip- tion, it was interesting. When I went, I was blown away seeing all the different specialties in law enforcement. Even some- one creative and artsy could go into law enforcement." Even more surprising, she liked the financial literacy classes. "They don't teach that stuff in school," she said. "This is investing in your future." Some local businesses that began participating in the life skills and financial planning units of the curriculum have also found themselves coming back … for access to a pool of potential employees. Publix Supermarkets, who hired Jones last summer, has been so impressed with the students' motivation and skills they've even found jobs in an- other city when students went off to college or university. According to John Jefferson, the program coordinator with Laurel Civic Center for the past 19 years, it's a mesh between an immersion program in a particular field, one that changes each summer depending on student interests, and exposing youth to self enlightenment and exciting future job prospects. The program, and the unfor- gettable field trips, are taught alongside a steady diet of job skills and life skills training like financial literacy. They're required to follow a virtual budget, so they under Bonding with the badge career opportunities a draw for youths FACEBOOK/SARASOTA SHERIFF'S OFFICE Teens from a Laurel Civic Center summer program learn how to handle a non blue replica taser during a Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Rightful Policing training on July 9. Teen Empowerment Summer Program Where: Laurel Civic Center Ages: 12-18 Length: Seven weeks beginning May 28, 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Thursday Classroom presentations: 210 hours Cost: none to parents or students Focus: The 2020 summer teen program focus will be on medical career opportunities Contact: John Jefferson 941-483-3338 ADVERTISE. SUBSCRIBE. F WRITER Blue ribbons blew in the wind over the Peace River on Saturday morning. Drivers traveling the north- nd Barron Collier Bridge necting Punta Gorda t lotte h By BRIANNA KWASNIK STAFF WRITER Charlotte County school officials this week began the process of narrowing down their legislative priorities for 2020. The district has until July 26 to submit its wish list to the local legislative delegation prior to meeting with them in September or October. Charlotte County School Board members met Tuesday and narrowed their priorities to seven topics. "We're trying to look at what we're for, rather than what we're against," said Kim Amontree, board member and the district's legislative liaison. Lobbyist Vern Crawford said the district did see some movement in what they prioritized to the delegation last year. So what's on their latest list? 1 Career/technical education: Fund workforce education programs and support career/technical programs, specifically, funding for the Air Frame Power Plant Mechanic Program. For the 2019 legislative session, the district partnered with the county and asked lawmakers to support the county's request for $1,750,000 in matching dollars for the Charlotte Technical College Airframe Power Plant Mechanic program to support the rapidly growing aviation industry in the state. 2 Mental Health: Continue funding for the Charlotte County's Community Action Team (CAT). CAT provides community based services to children ages 11 to 21 with significant mental health or substance abuse diagnoses. Services can include psychiatric evaluation, therapy, case management, and crisis intervention. This was also a priority for the district during the 2019 legislative session. "My opinion is that is the biggest part of security," said chairman of the board Bob Segur. 3 Unnecessary testing: Amontree suggested looking at grade four ELA and math, geometry and biology end of course assessments at the high school level, taking away the Florida Standards Assessment writing as a separate assessment and adding a component to the ELA, and testing only one grade in middle school. Though she said they need to look at what our legislatures are willing to consider. "Whatever we recommend does need to be in line with federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)," Crawford said, adding that the federal requirements do not currently address end of course exams. THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION B 7 things Charlotte schools want from lawmakers School leaders are narrowing the list of legislative priorities SUN PHOTO BY BRIANNA KWASNIK Bob Segur was elected School Board chairman by his fellow board members on Tuesday. Gilchrist parking problems persist Parking at the popular Punta Gorda Gilchrist Park is back up for discussion. The city took up the issue Wednesday including lack of parking, and proximity of spaces available to the park's pavilion area. There has also been some damage to a cracked roundabout, which was discussed, but no firm decisions were made on any plans or changes. Driver suffers medical emergency, dies North Port resident Steven Slack, 70, was driving a Ford F-150 truck when he suffered a medical emergency early Wednesday in Port Charlotte, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Slack drifted off U.S. 41, where his truck struck a stop sign. His vehicle ended up in the parking lot of a Chik-fil-A at 1814 Tamiami Trail, where it went on to hit an electrical box and a light pole. Slack was found lifeless in his truck, which ultimately came to rest in the parking lot, according to FHP. Mystery ship perplexes people in Englewood A ship anchored about 6 miles off Stump Pass has left some residents wondering why. Several people in Englewood have asked about what the big orange ship has been doing out in the Gulf. It showed up last week. Large vessels in the Gulf aren't unusual, but are usually seen around ports like Port of Tampa, or Port Manatee in Tampa Bay. Boca Grande is no longer a port for large phosphate vessels, and shipping lanes are far from shore. The Coast Guard office in St. Petersburg said the ship could be there for tracking weather, delivering hurricane supplies, red tide research or environmental testing. A representative from Edison Chouest Offshore, which owns the ship, said Wednesday the company has hundreds of ships on the water doing various jobs and declined to elaborate on the ship's mission. — STAFF REPORTS AMONTREE AREA NEWS BRIEFS FACEBOOK PHOTO The "Gary Chouset," anchored off Stump Pass near Englewood. Yes, it's real One pleasant afternoon for a couple quickly turned to horror as they encountered what they thought was a Skunk Ape. The couple was out rollerblading one January afternoon in the early 2000s when they saw what at first they thought was a large dog on all fours. The animal was digging in the dirt. "We should have brought a lead to see if someone lost a dog," the witness said to his wife, according to a report from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). "I would hate to see it get hit." As they approached what they thought was a lost dog, the "dog" lifted Are you a Skunk Ape believer? 6 sightings in Charlotte, 8 in Sarasota; but they seem to stay away from DeSoto PHOTO BY DAVE SHEALY According to Dave Shealy, Skunk Apes stand 5 to 7 feet tall and weigh 200 to 450 pounds. The bipedal humanoid is covered in reddish-black fur and has a very strong, bad odor. By LIZ HARDAWAY STAFF WRITER PORT CHARLOTTE T he Skunk Ape, or Florida's Bigfoot, is an animal that may or may not be real. It walks on two legs and has reddish-black hair, but there's no scientific evidence it exists — at least yet. Crystal Diff, the program coordinator for Charlotte County History Services, put on a presentation Tuesday at the Port Charlotte Library asking children: "Is the Skunk Ape real?" These kids got to decide for themselves. They studied a plaster rendering of a Skunk Ape foot that has four toes, and learned about cryptozoologists. Those are scientists who aim to prove the existence of animals of myth or legend — by collecting evidence. This was part of the Paranormal Florida Series presented by the library. "I'd smack him," said 5-year-old Kaci Hull if she ever saw a skunk ape. Roshan Sojan, 9, said he would run for his life. Here's some stink on the Skunk Ape. You can decide if he's fact or fiction. SEE YES, 4B SEE NO, 4B No, it's myth To the National Park Service, and many other officials, the Skunk Ape is no more than "(one of ) Florida's best known myths and legends." Though there are reports of sightings and collections of footprints, none of this has been proven true with scientific evidence. "Some people think it's an escaped ape or an extinct type of ape," Diff said. "There are sightings of (the Skunk Ape that) have been reported ... but we do not have actual evidence that it exists." In fact, neither the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office nor the Sarasota SEE SCHOOLS, 4B a Gorda to P otte honk aid Kim mber and ve liaison. wford ee some hey legation las r latest list? ducation: education pport programs, ing for the ant Mechan e 2019 on, the dist the county rs to suppo quest for matching do tte Technic CTION B e sc re nar parking persis popula Park is up the luding d proxi le to th also bee e to a c which ut no fi on any suffe ergen Port re Ye Y on for a or as the y though rollerbl on in the what at dog on a ging in t u a n Ch y, Skunk A HARDAWA F WRITER r Florida y or may has red vidence THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION B By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH COMMUNITY NEWS EDITOR ENGLEWOOD — From a weekend of raising funds to a ribbon cutting, the Englewood Boys & Girls Club board of directors have been busy — and they aren't finished yet this week. The board members teamed up with Bert's Black Widow Harley-Davidson, Dixon Mechanical and volunteers from the Englewood Area Board of Realtors to serve food during Father's Day weekend at the motorcycle dealership. Dixon Mechanical owner Bart Dixon's son Tyler cooked pulled pork donated by Keith Farlow of Farlow's on the Water in Englewood. The group sold meals and raffle tickets at the Harley-Davidson dealership. "We were told they raised $1,400 to help our Boys & Girls Club," said Trey Anderson, 10, a Myakka Elementary School student who helped cut the rib- bon Tuesday at the club's open house in conjunction with the Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce. "We had a lot of good news this week." Trey and a few other Boys & Girls Club members thanked all of the guests who came out to see the newly located club. Until earlier this month, the Englewood Boys & Girls Club operated out of a one-room business in a shopping center. That was not ideal. Through Community supports Englewood Boys & Girls Club PHOTO PROVIDED BY KIM PARKS Members of the Englewood Boys & Girls Club and its board celebrated with Englewood Florida Chamber of Commerce Tuesday at the open house for the club now relocated at Gulf Cove United Methodist Church in Englewood. SUN PHOTO BY ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH Kristen Conti, board member of the Englewood Boys & Girls Club, gets a little help from Trey Anderson, 10, a Myakka River Elementary School student and club member Tuesday during the open house. Club partners with Gulf Cove United Methodist Church STAFF WRITER Charlotte County school officials this week began the process of narrowing down their legislative priorities for 2020. The district has until July 26 to submit its wish list to the local legislative delegation prior to meeting with them in September or October. Charlotte County School Board members met Tuesday and narrowed their priorities to seven topics. "We're trying to look at what we're for, rather than what we're against," said Kim Amontree, board member and the district's legislative liaison. Lobbyist Vern Crawford said the district did see some movement in what they prioritized to the delegation last year. So what's on their latest list? 1 Career/technical education: Fund workforce education programs and support career/technical programs, specifically, funding for the Air Frame Power Plant Mechanic Program. For the 2019 legislative session, the district partnered with the county and asked lawmak- ers to support the county's request for $1,750,000 in matching dollars for the Charlotte Technical College Airframe Power Plant Mechanic program to support the rapidly growing aviation industry in the state. By ELAINE ALLEN-EMRICH COMMUNITY NEWS EDITOR STUMP PASS — A mystery ship anchored about six miles off Stump Pass has had some Englewood residents perplexed. Several people questioned what the big orange ship has been doing out in the Gulf for the past few days. It first showed up Thursday, sitting at anchor and visible from the shore at Stump Pass Beach State Park, and stayed there through the weekend. Large vessels in the Gulf aren't unusual, but are more apt to be seen coming and going from ports, like the Port of Tampa or Port Manatee in Tampa Bay. Boca Grande is no longer a port for large phosphate vessels, and shipping lanes are far from shore. Comments swirled on the local Red Tide Watch Manasota Key Facebook page. Some close- up photos of the ship posted online show the name "Gary Chouset" painted on the ship's hull. Maritime websites list the vessel as a supply ship that could be used by oil drilling companies. Was it here for drilling? Was it part of the upcoming beach renourishment project for Manasota Key? According to three Coast Guard officials in three offices from St. Petersburg to Fort Myers, the vessel's markings show it is not a drilling vessel, but indeed a supply ship, the kind used to transport goods, tools, equipment and person- nel to and from offshore oil platforms and other offshore structures. It's also not part of the re- nourishment effort, according to project coordinator Michael Poff. The project won't start pumping sand onto Manasota Key beaches until after sea turtle nesting season ends Oct. 31. The Coast Guard office in St. Petersburg said the ship could be there for several reasons including tracking weather, delivering hurricane supplies or doing red tide research or testing on the ocean for the environment. That type of ship also has the ability to dig and pull up Internet cables from the bottom of the Gulf. The ship doesn't long-range drilling capabilities. The Coast Guard in Fort Myers said there was "no threat," and could be in the Gulf waiting out some inclem- ent weather. A representative from Edison Chouest Offshore, which owns the ship, said Wednesday the company has hundreds of ships 7 things CHARLOTTE COUNTY SEE SCHOOLS, 4B SEE CLUB, 4B Ship off Stump Pass a mystery Residents wonder about 'Gary Chouset' anchored offshore FACEBOOK PHOTO The "Gary Chouest" is a supply ship that can supply oil rigs or other offshore facilities. SEE SHIP, 4B By VICTORIA VILL ANUEVA- MARQUEZ STAFF WRITER SARASOTA — The video nev- er shows his face, but his voice warbles as Sarasota County Schools Chief Operating Officer Jeff Maultsby stands in a room early Christmas morning with disco lights yelling for "Ms. Raina." "I ain't gonna show you what I'm doing," he says. Maultsby remains on paid ad- ministrative leave amid accusa- tions of sending suggestive text messages to his administrative assistant, Cheraina Bonner. Superintendent Todd Bowden announced at a School Board meeting Tuesday that Maultsby would be removed from his position until an investiga- tion into the allegations was complete. The board later approved the appointment of Jody Dumas, the district's executive director of facilities construction and planning, to serve as the acting chief operating officer. According to text messages obtained from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Maultsby and Bonner had exchanged 831 texts, some Maultsby texts, video released School district official sidelined while inquiry continues SUN PHOTO BY TAMI GARCIA Jeff Maultsby, director of business and economic development for Sarasota County, signs an I-beam that is being installed at the new Atlanta Braves spring training facility in West Villages. SEE MAULTSBY , 4B THURSDAY, JU By ELAINE ALLEN COMMUNITY NEWS NGLEWOOD — F ekend of raising f bon cutting, the E ys & Girls Club bo ectors have been b y aren't finished y k. he board mem ber with Bert's Black ley-Davidson, Dix chanical and volu m the Englewood A rd of Realtors to s ing Father's Day w motorcycle dealer ixon Mechanical o t Dixon's son Tyle ed pork donated b ow of Farlow's on er in Englewood. Eng embers of the En e open house for Club part United By ELAINE ALL COMMUNITY N STUMP PASS — ship anchored ab off Stump Pass ha Englewood reside Several people what the big oran been doing out in for the past few d showed up Thurs at anchor and vis shore at Stump Pa State Park, and st hrough the week Large vessels in aren't unusual, bu apt to be seen com going from ports, of Tampa or Port n Tampa Bay. Boc Ship Resident Maultsby arasota ew Atla GREG GILES NEWS EDITOR It's not every day teen chance to strap on a h stun gun, albeit a n replica, and arre complete with But that's w teens did day w She P ing wit ortunities for youths orda to Port otte honk ed their horns ute law enforcement for ork and dedication to munit THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION B By VICTORIA VILLANUEVA-MARQUEZ STAFF WRITER SARASOTA — The video never shows his face, but his voice warbles as Sarasota County Schools Chief Operating Officer Jeff Maultsby stands in a room early Christmas morning with disco lights yelling for "Ms. Raina." "I ain't gonna show you what I'm doing," he says. Maultsby remains on paid administrative leave amid accusations of sending suggestive text messages to his administrative assistant, Cheraina Bonner. Superintendent Todd Bowden Tuesday that Maultsby would be removed from his position until an investigation into the allegations was complete. The board later approved the appointment of Jody Dumas, the district's executive director of facilities construction and planning, to serve as the acting chief operating officer. According to text messages obtained from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, Maultsby and Bonner had exchanged 831 texts, some of which showed Maultsby apparently flirting with Bonner and telling her about getting drunk. Last Christmas, Maultsby sent a.m. Who needs lessons on cellphone use? Administrator accused of misusing cellphone ONLINE View the video at www. yoursun.com/ northport By VICTORIA VILLANUEVA-MARQUEZ STAFF WRITER SARASOTA — The Sarasota County School Board approved a new policy Tuesday to allow middle and high school students to use electronic devices under certain conditions. All students must have electronic devices silenced and put away, but middle and high school students will be allowed to use their devices while supervised by a teacher for instructional purposes. And high-schoolers will have a bit more leeway than younger students. They will be access their devices in between classes and during lunch. Elementary students will have stricter rules. They will not be allowed to use electronic devices at all. "We're even telling elementary teachers, we don't want teachers to use the cellphones or whatever with the students because we don't want to have the expectation that kids would bring their devices to school," School Board member Shirley Brown said. Sarasota County Schools surveyed more than 700 staff members, 2,000 parents and 70 administrators before drafting the policy, according to Laura Kingsley, the district's chief academic officer. Kingsley said she expects teachers and administrators to enforce the policy within their schools. "If students violate the policy, I kind of envision there being little Ziploc bags in our administrators' offices with children's names on them," Kingsley said. "And parents may have to pick up those electronic devices." Students get new rules for electronic devices SARASOTA COUNTY SCHOOLS OOLS, 4B Along with reading, she sang and played guitar, leading a sing-a-long with children and their parents/caregivers, who accompanied her with small percussion instruments. Those who attended the free event were able to create a cowboy hat craft to take home. More information on the two North Port libraries are on Page 4. More photos from the June 13 event are online at www.yoursun.com/northport. 'Cowboy Jake' rides into libraries Author Alice White Jayden Charles, 4, and his mother, Irina, clap while listening to Alice White sing "You Are My Sunshine" at Shannon Staub Public Library. Alice White leads a sing-a-long duiring her reading of her new children's book "The Adventures of Cowboy Jake" at Shannon Staub Public Library. SUN PHOTOS BY TAMI GARCIA Aspen Granger, 1, plays a small percussion instrument while her cousin Nathaniel Wickman, 4, and her aunt, Jessica Wickman, listen. They were at a recent reading of the new children's book "The Adventures of Cowboy Jake" by North Port resident Alice White. By ANNE EASKER STAFF WRITER PORT CHARLOTTE — A North Port man died after experiencing a medical emergency behind the wheel and crashing, according to investigators. Steven Slack, 70, was driving a 2008 Ford F-150 south on U.S. 41 north of the intersection of Cochran Boulevard around 4 a.m. Wednesday, a Florida Highway Patrol news release stated. When he experienced the medical emergency, Slack reportedly drifted to the left, crossing the northbound lanes and exiting onto the east shoulder of U.S. 41, where his truck struck a stop sign. According to FHP, the vehicle continued south on the shoulder and entered the parking lot of the Chik-fil-A at 1814 Tamiami Trail. In the parking lot, the front of the truck struck an electrical box and a light pole. The truck came to final rest in the parking lot facing south. Slack was found dead at the scene, according to FHP. Email: anne.easker@yoursun. com North Port man dies after medical emergency, crash Driver drifted off U.S. 41 in Port Charlotte, striking sign, pole near Chik-fil-A INSIDE The Importance of Friends at Shannon Staub Public Library, and Stars at the library See page 4B s a k of Pointe Loop Drive, Venice, is arged with petit theft, possession of methamphetamine; possession of drug paraphernalia. • Amanda Wessel, 29, of the 400 block of Gulf Breeze Boulevard N Venice, is charged with two cou wi "T our int said S Kn WESSEL SLIKER with the b ens get a a holstered a non-firing rest someone ith real handcuffs. s what a group of did at a recent training with the Sarasota County heriff's Office's Rightful Policing unit. It was the culmination summer youth "camp focused on job op aw enforcem By all a a wit f law By men a p c b A of Ja Sh Sta Pub Libr Drive off U Port strikin nea UNE 20, 2019 -EMRICH S EDITOR From a funds to a Englewood oard of busy — a yet this rs team Widow xon unteer Area serve week rshi own er c by n t T Com glew glewood Boys r the club now tners w Metho LEN-EMRICH EWS EDITOR — A mystery bout six miles as had some ents perplexed questioned nge ship has n the Gulf ays. It first sday, sitting ible from the ass Beach tayed there kend. n the Gulf ut are more ming and like the Port Manatee ca Grande off S s wonde THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION B By BRIANNA KWASNIK STAFF WRITER Charlotte County school officials this week began the process of narrowing down their legisla- tive priorities for 2020. The district has until July 26 to submit its wish list to the local legislative delegation prior to meeting with them in September or October. Charlotte County School Board members met Tuesday and narrowed their priorities to seven topics. "We're trying to look at what we're for, rather than what we're against," said Kim Amontree, board member and the district's legislative liaison. Lobbyist Vern Crawford said the district did see some move- ment in what they prioritized to the delegation last year. So what's on their latest list? 1 Career/technical education: Fund workforce educa- tion programs and support career/technical programs, specifically, funding for the Air Frame Power Plant Mechanic Program. For the 2019 legislative session, the district partnered with the county and asked lawmakers 7 things Charlotte schools want from lawmakers School leaders are narrowing the list of legislative priorities AMONTREE Yes, it's real One pleasant afternoon for a couple quickly turned to horror as they encountered what they thought was a Skunk Ape. The couple was out rollerblading one January afternoon in the early 2000s when they saw what at first they thought was a large dog on all fours. The animal was digging in the dirt. "We should have brought a lead to see if someone lost a dog," the witness said to his wife, according to a report from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). "I would hate to see it get hit." As they approached what they thought was a lost dog, the "dog" lifted its head and stared at the couple for a few seconds before it started running toward them. "It chased after us ... (the animal) seemed to float," the witness wrote, as he and his wife skated away. About a year later, the witness was jogging near the same area where he noticed a large, dark red blood stain in the road. There was a dead animal smell lingering in the area, according to the report. "They smell really, really, really bad," Diff said. "In all of the reports, the first thing people notice is a really bad odor that smells like a skunk, or some say a really wet dog ... rotting meat." After investigating the area, he found a kill — mangled domesticated Irish Wolfhound hidden in the brush. The witness then heard an "unusual chattering" he described as an unknown language with weird pitch changes. Upon further investigation, the witness described the sounds to be almost identical to a BFRO recording of an animal in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California. This is only one of the six reports in Charlotte County Are you a Skunk Ape believer? 6 sightings in Charlotte, 8 in Sarasota; but they stay away from DeSoto PHOTO BY DAVE SHEALY pes stand 5 to 7 feet tall and weigh 200 to 450 pounds. The bipedal humanoid is covered in No, it's myth To the National Park Service, and many other officials, the Skunk Ape is no more than "(one of ) Florida's best known myths and legends." Though there are reports of sightings and collections of footprints, none of this has been proven true with scientific evidence. "Some people think it's an escaped ape or an extinct type of ape," Diff said. "There are sightings of (the Skunk Ape that) have been reported ... but we do not have actual evidence that it exists." In fact, neither the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office nor the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office have received reports of skunk ape sightings. "Our deputies are always ready to respond to the frequent and sometimes unique calls we receive related to Florida wildlife," said Katie Heck, a spokesperson for the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. "We encourage anyone who witnesses a suspicious incident or activity in their neighborhood to report it to law enforcement immediately." One theory is that most Skunk Ape sightings are bears or misidentified wildlife, according to Joe Nickell, a senior research fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and a paranormal investigator. The two have similar habitats, behaviors, and putrid smell due to scavenging on dead animals and rummaging in garbage bins. The bear also has a "remarkably human-like" hind footprint. "At moderate speeds, the hind and fore feet may superimpose to 'give the appearance of a single track made by a bipedal creature'," Nickell wrote, causing the appearance of the cryptid's notorious big foot. In 2014, Institute of Human Genetics researcher Bryan WAY STAFF WRITER PORT CHARLOTTE T he Skunk Ape, or Florida's Bigfoot, is an animal that may or may not be real. It walks on two legs and has reddish-black hair, but there's no scientific evidence it exists — at least yet. Crystal Diff, the program coordinator Charlotte Library asking children: "Is the Skunk Ape real?" These kids got to decide for themselves. They studied a plaster rendering of a Skunk Ape foot, which has four toes, and learned about cryptozoologists. Those are scientists who aim to prove the exis- tence of animals of myth or legend — by "I'd smack him," said 5-year-old Kaci Hull if she ever saw a skunk ape. Roshan Sojan, 9, said he would run for his life. Here's some stink on the Skunk Ape. You can decide if he's fact or fiction. By DANIEL SUTPHIN STAFF WRITER Parking is not a new prob- lem for Gilchrist Park in Punta Gorda. It's been a regular topic at City Council meetings since the first redesign phase was completed in late 2017 − most notably by fans and players of the Guitar Army jam sessions every Tuesday and Thursday at the park along West Retta Esplanade. The lack of parking, and the proximity of the spaces available to the park's pavilion area, were back on the table at Wednesday's City Council meeting, bringing about plenty of ideas but not much action. What's the problem? User damage. "The current ... whatever we call that roundabout that we have there now ... is all cracked and broken from peo- ple driving on it, parking on it and it's completely wasted space," said Vice Mayor Lynne Matthews. "It's starting to look really nasty because people have cracked all the cement on it. One way or another that has got to be taken out." Since the park was re- opened, locals have taken issue with the renovations ranging from parking, to pickleball, to the design of the park in general. What is changing? Nothing yet. The City Council opted to put off any formal decisions until the Citywide Master Plan − a guide for future develop- ment in the city − is completed this fall. "I think on a lot of these projects we should should be procrastinating just a little bit until we do get a master plan," said Council Member Gary Wein. "We are throwing band- aids out there when we don't even know what the soar is." Instead, the City Council suggested ideas for the entry way that sits directly west of the PG Waterfront Hotel. Mayor Nancy Prafke said the main goal is to get the roundabout closer to the pavilion. Parking issues still haunt Gilchrist Park Council discussion sends it back to the drawing board SEE PARKING, 4B SEE SCHOOLS, 4B AREA NEWS BRIEFS SEE YES, 4B SEE NO, 4B Mystery ship perplexes people in Englewood A ship anchored about 6 miles off Stump Pass has left some residents wondering why. Several people in Englewood have asked on social media about what the big orange ship has been reasons like: tracking weath- er, delivering hurricane supplies, conducting red tide research or environmental testing. A representative from Edison Chouest Offshore, which owns the ship, said Wednesday the company has hundreds of ships on the water doing various jobs, but would not be specific about the ship's mission. By Wednesday, the ship had moved a few miles offshore and appeared to anchor, only a dot on the horizon. Driver suffers medical emergency, dies North Port resident Steven Slack, 70, was driving a Ford F-150 truck when he suffered a medical emergency early Wednesday in Port Charlotte, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Slack drifted off U.S. 41, where his truck struck a stop sign. His vehicle ended up in the parking lot of a Chik-fil-A at 1814 Tamiami Trail, where it went on to hit an electrical box and a light pole. Slack was found lifeless in his truck, which ultimately came to rest in the parking lot, according to FHP. — STAFF REPORTS FACEBOOK PHOTO The "Gary Chouset," anchored off Stump Pass near Englewood. THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION Who needs less By VICTORIA VILL A ANUEVA V -MARQUEZ STAFF WRIT Students get new rules for electronic SA l s d re he chi boo Adv f Co ake han aub blic rary N er U 9 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION B m wo s & w re w d. is no longer a port for large phosphate vessels, and shippin lanes are far from shore. Comments swirled on the local Red Tide Watch Manaso Key Facebook page. Some clo up photos of the ship posted Stump Pass a r about 'Gary Chouset the 300 block ce, is charged arijuana and pended license. r, 48, of the 600 block of sit Drive, Venice, is charged ount of petit theft. e retail operations are part of ntelligence-led policing model," rasota County Sheriff Tom a news release. "Based on sis, we can look at hot spots sources during these pe initiatives. Our goal to SEE THEFT, 4A North, ounts of nt d Sara Knight in a crime analysi and deploy reso maintenance-type 25 f Want to coun badge THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTIO Ar AREA NEWS BRIEFS THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | facebook.com/SunPreps | @Sun_Preps | SECTION C DENIED: Chastain won't be able to appeal disqualification PAGE 4C By JACOB HOAG SPORTS WRITER FORT MYERS — It wasn't the greatest start for the Charlotte High boys basketball team, but by tournament's end, the Tarpons were the champions of the Summer Shootout hosted by Evangelical Christian School (ECS). Fighting fatigue and offsea- son rust, the Tarpons battled through it all to cut through elite competition, beating Lehigh in the tournament champion- ship game to claim the title. "I thought we just grinded it out all week," Charlotte coach Tom Massolio said. "This is our fifth day of playing — like a lot of teams here — and our 14th game in five days. I was really happy that we competed each and every game. "We didn't start this tourna- ment very well, but I always tell them it's not how you start, it's how you finish. I thought we played some good competition and were ready to go." Charlotte wasn't playing at it's best the first two days of the Shootout, according to Massolio. But when it came to the final day, which featured two sin- gle-elimination brackets based on records from the previous days, the Tarpons reignited their fire. Charlotte cruised past By MICHELLE KAUFMAN MIAMI HERALD A few things we know for sure about the U.S. Women's World Cup team after two games: Scoring has not been a problem (16 goals by eight different players so far), and there is no better collection of talent in the tournament. The only question remaining is just how good is this team? My hunch is really, really good, as in cruise-to-the-trophy good. But we will have a much better idea by Thursday night. It's hard to judge a team — especially its back line and a new goalkeeper — when it beats Thailand 13-0 and Chile 3-0. Through two games, U.S. players have outshot oppo- nents 65-3 and lead 25-1 on corner kicks. Consider U.S. coach Jill Ellis started seven backups against Chile and the game would have been more lopsided were it not for the jaw-dropping performance of Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler. The first real test for the Americans will come at 3 p.m. ET Thursday against Sweden, a veteran team that played the United States to a scoreless tie in the 2015 World Cup and booted the Americans out of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Although both teams are already safely into the By BRIAN MAHONEY AP BASKETBALL WRITER NEW YORK — Zion Williamson smiled his way through nearly half an hour of questions, try- ing to portray himself like any player just hoping to be drafted. Suddenly, a tall, thin new comer pushed his way to the front of the shoulder-to-shoul der swarm surrounding Williamson and shot down that idea. Soon, he can start showing if he has the game to match. The powerhouse power forward will almost certainly be doing it in the uniform of the New Orleans Pelicans, who hold the No. 1 pick Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. NBA teams are discouraged from announcing who they will pick, and the Pelicans con- firmed nothing to Williamson when he visited recently. "They just told me that maybe they'll draft me and I'm a good player or something," It would be one of the biggest surprises anyone in the NBA conjured up in years if the Pelicans passed on a player whose combination of size, speed and skill calls to mind James and few others. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Williamson averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 68% from the field and joining Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis as the only freshmen to be voted national player of the year by The Associated Press. His sledgehammer slams were good for college, but Williamson wants to be known for more than his above-the-rim game in the pros. In fact, he isn't eager to take part in the By JAKE SEINER AP SPORTS WRITER NEW YORK — Gary Sánchez hit a three- run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays by 3 1/2 games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April. Snell (4-6) walked four, gave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest start of his career. He is the first reigning Cy Young winner to allow at least six runs and get no more than one out in a start, according to STATS. Colin Poche replaced the left-hander with the bases loaded, hit Gio Urshela with a pitch and allowed a two-run single to DJ LeMahieu before ending the inning. Snell's previous shortest start was one-plus inning against the Yankees on Sept. 26, 2017. Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks. The left- hander has a 2.06 ERA in six starts against the Rays over the past two seasons. New York had just three hits during the six-run first inning. Sánchez's homer was his 21st in 54 games this season. The Yankees have homered in 22 consecutive games, three shy of the franchise record from 1941. After the rocky first, Tampa Bay's bullpen Zion's time: Williamson the center of attention at NBA draft Hot prospect tried to portray himself as an ordinary player just hoping to be selected AP PHOTO Zion Williamson, a freshman from Duke, attends the NBA Draft media availability, Wednesday, June 19 in New York. The basketball draft will be held Thursday, June 20. NBA DRAFT BASKETBALL SOCCER Snell chased in 1st, Sabathia wins 250th, Rays swept Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell pulled in the first inning after giving up six runs AP PHOTO Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, right, pulls starting pitcher Blake Snell from the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, June 19 in New York. YANKEES 12 RAYS 1 SEE RAYS, 5C Charlotte earns offseason crown Tarpons, Mustangs reach championship games at Summer Shootout SUN PHOTO BY JACOB HOAG Charlotte senior Tyrik Gainer pulls up against Fort Myers on Wednesday. Gainer led the Tarpons in points in the Championship win over Lehigh as well. SEE CROWN, 8C What's on the line for USWNT against Sweden SEE WORLD CUP, 5C to 5 fa to unt? Are yo T he is b reddis eviden Cry By DANIEL S STAFF WR Parking is not lem for Gilchris Gorda. It's been a reg City Council m the first redesi completed in l notably by fa the Guitar Ar every Tuesda at the park a Esplanade. The lack the proxim available t area, were at Wednes meeting, of ideas b Park Council d Mystery ship perplexes people in Englewood A ship anchored about 6 miles off Stump Pass has left some residents wondering why. Several people in Englewood have asked on social media about what the big orange ship has been reasons like: tracking weath- er, delivering hurricane supplies, conducting red tide research or environmental testing. A representative from Edison Chouest Offshore, which owns the ship, said Wednesday the company has hundreds of ships on the water doing various jobs, but would not be specific about the ship's mission. By Wednesday, the ship had moved a few miles offshore and appeared to anchor, only a dot on the horizon. Driver suffers medical emergency, dies North Port re sident Steven Slack, 70, was driving a Ford F-150 truck when he suffered a medical emergency early Wednesday in Port Charlotte, according to Florida Highway Patrol. Slack drifted off U.S. 41, where his truck struck a stop sign. His vehicle ended up in th parking lot of a Chik-fil-A a 1814 Tamiami Trail, where went on to hit an electrica box and a light pole. Slack was found lifeless his truck, which ultimate came to rest in the parki lot, according to FHP. — STAFF R FACEBOOK PHOTO The "Gary Chouset," anchored off Stump Pass near Englewood. ARQUEZ TAFF WRITER SARASOTA — The Sarasota County School Board approved a new policy Tuesday to allow middle and high school students to use electronic devices under certain conditions. All students must have electronic devices silenced and put away, but middle and high school students will be allowed to use their devices while supervised by a teacher for instructional purposes. And high-schoolers will have a bit more leeway than younger students. They will be access their devices in between classes and during lunch. Elementary students will have stricter rules. They will not be allowed to use electronic devices at all. "We're even telling elementary teachers, we don't w use the cellphones the students becau have the expectatio bring their device Board member Sh Sarasota Count more than 700 st parents and 70 a drafting the poli Kingsley, the di officer. Kingsley sai and administr policy within "If student kind of envis Ziploc bags i offices with them," King may have t devices." troni 'Cowboy Alice White leads a sing-a-long duiring her eading of er new ildren's ok "The ventures Cowboy e" at nnon b c y. Aspen Granger, 1, plays a sm listen. They were at a recent White. N mmu ood up photos of the ship posted online show the name "Gary Chouset" painted on the sh hull. Maritime websites list the vessel as a supply ship could be used by oil drillin companies. Was it here for drilling? it part of the upcoming b renourishment project fo Manasota Key? According to three Co Guard officials in three from St. Petersburg to Myers, the vessel's ma show it is not a drillin HURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | | | facebook.com/SunPreps | @Sun_Preps | SECTION C DENIED DENIED ED: Chastain won't be able to appeal disqualification PAGE 4C By JACOB HOAG SPORTS WRITER FORT MYERS — It wasn't the greatest start for the Charlotte High boys basketball team, but by tournament's end, t he Tarpons were the champions of the Summer Shootout hosted by Evangelical Christian School (ECS). Fighting fatigue and offsea- son rust, the Tarpons battled through it all to cut through elite competition, beating Lehigh in the tournament champion- ship game to claim the title. "I thought we just grinded it out all week," Charlotte coach Tom Massolio said. "This is our fifth day of playing — like a lot of teams here — and our 14th game in five days. I was really happy that we competed each and every game. "We didn't start this tourna- ment very well, but I always tell them it's not how you star t, it's how you finish. I thought we played some good competition and were ready to go." Charlotte wasn't playing at it's best the first two days of the Shootout, according to Massolio. But when it came to the final day, which featured two sin- gle-eliminati on brackets based on records from the previous days, the Tarpons reignited their fire. Charlotte cruised past By MICHELLE KAUFMAN MIAMI HERALD A few things we know for sure about the U.S. Women's World Cup team after two games: Scoring has not been a problem (16 goals by eight different players so far), and there is no better collection of talent in the tournament. The only question remaining is just how good is this team? My hunch is really, really good, as in cruise-to-the-trophy good. But we will have a much better idea by Thursday night. It's hard to judge a team — especially its back line and a new goalkeeper — when it beats Thailand 13-0 and Chile 3-0. Through two games, U.S. players have outshot oppo- nents 65-3 and lead 25-1 on corner kicks. Consider U.S. coach Jill Ellis started seven backups against Chile and the game would have been more lopsided were it not for the jaw-dropping performance of Chilean goalkeeper Christiane Endler. The first real test for the Americans will come at 3 p.m. ET Thursday against Sweden, a veteran team that played the United States to a scoreless tie in the 2015 World Cup and booted the Americans out of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Although both teams are already safely into the By BRIAN MAHONEY AP BASKETBALL WRITER NEW YORK — Zion Williamson smiled his way through nearly half an hour of questions, try- ing to portray himself like any player just hoping to be drafted. Suddenly, a tall, thin new comer pushed his way front of the shou der swarm surrounding Williamson and shot down that idea. Soon, he can start showing if he has the game to match. The powerhouse power forward will almost certainly be doing it in the uniform of the New Orleans Pelicans, who hold the No. 1 pick Thursday night at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. A teams are discouraged nnouncing who they will ck, and the Pelicans con- rmed nothing to Williamson when he visited recently. "They just told me that maybe they'll draft me and I'm a good player or something," It would be one of the biggest surprises anyone in the NBA conjured up in years if the Pelicans passed on a player whose combination of size, speed and skill calls to mind James and few others. Listed at 6-foot-7 and 285 pounds, Williamson averaged 22.6 points and 8.9 rebounds while shooting 68% from the field and joining Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis as the only freshmen to be voted national player of the year by The Associated Pre ss. His sledgehammer slams were good for college, but Williamson wants to be known for more than his above-the-rim game in the pros. In fact, he isn't eager to take part in the By JAKE SEINER AP SPORTS WRITER NEW YORK — Gary Sánchez hit a three- run homer to help chase Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell in the first inning, CC Sabathia got his 250th career win and the New York Yankees thumped the Tampa Bay Rays 12-1 Wednesday to complete a three-game sweep. Gleyber Torres added a grand slam during a six-run seventh inning, and New York three-hit Tampa Bay to win its fifth in a row and extend its lead the AL East over the second-place Rays by 3 1/2 games. Tampa Bay was swept for the second time this season — the other came against Boston in April. Snell (4-6) walked four, g ave up two hits and was charged with six runs while getting one out on 39 pitches in the shortest s tart of his career. He is the first reigning Cy Young winner to allow at least six runs and get no more than one out in a start, according to STATS. Colin Poche replaced the left-hander with the bases loaded, hit Gio Urshela with a pitch and allowed a two-run single to DJ LeMahieu before ending the inning. Snell's previous shortest start was one-plus inning against the Yankees on Sept. 26, 2017. Sabathia (4-4) pitched one-run ball over six innings. He struck out seven and allowed three hits and three walks. The left- hander has a 2.06 ERA in six starts against the Rays over the past two seasons. New York had just three hits during the six-run first inning. Sánchez's homer was his 21st in 54 games this season. The Yankees have homered in 22 consecutive games, three shy of the franchise record from 1941. After the rocky first, Tampa Bay's bullpen Zion's time: Williamson the center of attention at NBA draft Hot prospect tried to portray himself as an ordinary player just hoping to be selected AP PHOTO Zion Williamson, a freshman from Duke, attends the NBA Draft media availability, Wednesday, June 19 in New York. The basketball draft will be held Thursday, June 20. NBA DRAFT BASKETBALL SOCCER Snell chased in 1st, Sabathia wins 250th, Rays swept Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell pulled in the first inning after giving up six runs AP PHOTO Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, right, pulls starting pitcher Blake Snell from the game during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium, Wednesday, June 19 in New York. YANKEES 12 RAYS 1 SEE RAYS, 5C Charlotte earns offseason crown Tarpons, Mustangs reach championship games at Summer Shootout SUN PHOTO BY JACOB HOAG Charlotte senior Tyrik Gainer pulls up against Fort Myers on Wednesday. Gainer led the Tarpons in points in the Championship win over Lehigh as well. SEE CROWN, 8C What's on the line for USWNT against Sweden SEE WORLD CUP, 5C THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2019 | YOURSUN.COM | SECTION D By ELIZABETH WELLINGTON THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER R ihanna is making fashion history. Fenty, her women's wear line, has joined Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Givenchy under the vast LVMH umbrella (ella ella ella). By joining forces with LVMH, the powerhouse French conglomerate behind the world's biggest labels, Rihanna is blessing high fashion with an inclusivity that Europe's exclusive fashion houses have never seen before. Rihanna is the fi rst woman for whom Bernard Arnault, the mega-company's chairman and chief executive, built a label from scratch. She's only the second designer who can claim that honor. The fi rst was Christian Lacroix in 1987. Rihanna is also the fi rst woman of color to lead an LVMH maison. According to the Business of Fashion, she's a 49.99 percent shareholder in LVMH's Fenty. "Rihanna has always been bold. Never afraid. And now she's a pioneer," said Tuesday Gordon, longtime manager of Philadelphia's high end luxury boutique Joan Shepp. "This is a special moment in fashion for black women." It's also a win for young fashionistas. And that has the potential to make an even greater impact on the industry. Fenty speaks to those younguns who wouldn't think twice about pairing a Fenty Japanese denim blazer with a pair of fast-fashion Fashion Nova jeans. It has in mind the young man who may want to wear a corset. And it relates to all who would rather scroll through Instagram and click to buy than thumb through a fashion glossy. Rihanna belongs to the millennials on down. Rihanna's women's wear line is a win for young fashionistas FENTY Rihanna is the fi rst woman for whom Bernard Arnault, the mega-company LVMH's chairman and chief executive, built a label from scratch. GAME CHANGER MAKE IT FASHION About Fenty Fenty reflects Rihanna's personal style, character, and experiences. Style categories include coats, jackets, tops, dresses,pants, skirts, sunglasses and shoes. Prices range from $180 for caps, $200-$450 for jewelry, $420-$480 for sunglasses, $500-$700 for dresses, $560-$700 for shoes and $1,100-$1,300 for jackets. "Rihanna has always been bold. Never afraid. And now she's a pioneer. This is a special moment in fashion for black women." Tuesday Gordon longtime manager of Philadelphia's high end luxury boutique Joan Shepp SEE FASHION, 2D Shop online at fenty.com Crucial information about your community comes from local reporters. To Subscribe: The Daily SUN and YourSun.com deliver the latest community, sports and lifestyles news, plus our Pulitzer Prize winning Editorials. Subscribe today. Call 941.206.1300 to start your SUN Newspaper subscription with digital access. Access to high quality information is essential, especially local information and especially now. What's the impact? How are our local leaders responding? For answers to these questions, we rely on the hard work of our local reporters. As a result, readership of local news outlets has reached record highs. To Advertise: Our dedicated staff of multimedia marketing consultants is devoted to helping your business succeed. Call 941.206.6406 to fi nd out how we can help.