News Briefs

+ More light to shine on Village SCAT stop
During the Siesta Key Association meeting this month, Director Michael Shay talked about how dark the area is around a Sarasota County Area Transit sign near the intersection of Treasure Boat Way and Ocean Boulevard.

That is a transition point between the lights belonging to Florida Power & Light and the Village, he said.
County staff promised last fall to double the wattage of two streetlights in that area and to cut back the vegetation to improve the dispersion of the light, Shay said.

Although he had sent staff an email that day asking for an update, he had not received a reply before the meeting.

The Pelican Press was able to get an update from Tom Maroney, general manager of business operations for the county — and the supervisor of the Village upkeep. Maroney said the foliage was cut back when the new fence was installed at that intersection late last year. Additionally, the railing for the fence, he said, sits farther back than the previous railing did.

As for the lighting, Maroney said Ryan Montague, in the county’s Mobility/Traffic Operations Office, had met with FPL representatives on the site about three weeks ago. As a result of their discussions, FPL put in a work order for higher-wattage bulbs. The bulb replacement probably will be completed in about three weeks, Maroney added.

+ Siesta man charged with vehicle burglaries
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has arrested David Skolnick, 29, of Siesta Key, for several burglaries that occurred last week.

A deputy stopped Skolnick around 3 a.m. Feb. 16, for riding his bicycle without a light. When the deputy asked him for identification, Skolnick opened his wallet, which contained someone else’s driver’s license, according to a report.

Skolnick had another ID and credit cards that did not belong to him, along with items in his backpack that were not his, the report said.

When deputies drove to Donnington Court, where the evidence indicated the victims lived, they discovered three vehicle burglaries had occurred.

Skolnick, who has 26 prior arrests in Sarasota County, was charged with four counts of burglary, two counts of grand theft, two counts of petit theft and one count of possession of burglary tools. He also was charged with violation of probation, for prior weapons charges.

Each of the burglarized vehicles was unlocked, according to a news release, so the Sheriff’s Office staff is reminding residents to remove valuables from their vehicles and always to lock their doors.

+ One Book program to welcome Wilson
Leah Wilson, author of “The Girl Who Was On Fire,” will appear at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Selby Library, 1331 First St., Sarasota, as part of the final celebration for the One Book, One Community program. 

The focus of the program for 2011-2012 has been the young-adult book, “The Hunger Games.”                                                    

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the county call center at 861-5000 or visit www.onebooksarasota.com.

Meetings & agendas
• Criminal Justice Commission — Noon Feb. 27, Sarasota County Administration Center, Third Floor Think Tank, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.
• Community Alliance Developmental Disabilities Summit — 9 a.m. Feb. 28, Sarasota County Public Schools headquarters, Blue Awning Building, Room 221, 1960 Landings Blvd., Sarasota.
• Siesta Key Association — 4:30 p.m. March 1, St. Boniface Episcopal Church, Room F, 5615 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key.
• Siesta Key Village Association — 8:30 a.m. March 6, Daiquiri Deck Raw Bar, 5250 Ocean Blvd., Siesta Key.