News Briefs

+ Youth may register for free Orioles clinic
The Orioles and OriolesREACH will conduct a free baseball skills clinic for pre-registered Sarasota youth at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 7, on the main field at Ed Smith Stadium.

The clinic is open to youth ages 8-14 who reside in Sarasota County, according to an Orioles news release. 

Any young person interested in participating must complete an application form available at Ed Smith Stadium or at www.orioles.com/sarasota. (Click on “Community Calendar.”) A person may print and mail the completed form to Ed Smith Stadium, Attn: April 7 Clinic, 2700 12th St., Sarasota, Fla., 34237.

Fifty boys and girls will be selected randomly from the applications to receive instruction in throwing, hitting, fielding and base running. Orioles minor league players and instructors will conduct the clinic. 
The deadline for registration is Tuesday, March 20. Those randomly chosen will be notified by Saturday, March 24.

This clinic is the final one of four the Orioles have planned for Sarasota-area youth during the 2012 spring training season.

+ Second public meeting set for Gulf Gate Library
Sarasota County library staff and representatives from the Harvard Jolly architectural firm will hold a second open house March 29 on plans for the new Gulf Gate Library.

The event will be conducted from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at St. Andrew United Church of Christ, 6908 Beneva Road.

Sarasota County Libraries General Manager Sarabeth Kalajian said those attending the open house will be able to see schematics for the interior of the new library, as well as a site proposal for the building.
The new library will be constructed on the site of the current facility, 7112 Curtiss Ave., Sarasota.

“It’s getting to the exciting place,” Kalajian said of the project.

Attendees will be able to see proposed designs for both the ground floor and the second floor, she added.
For more information, call 861-5000.

+ Background-check fingerprint process changed
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office has automated the processing of fingerprint-based criminal history requests through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Residents who need background checks for employment applications, volunteer screenings and other processes will use the new computer-based “livescan” technology installed at the same locations where the fingerprint service traditionally has been offered: the Sarasota County Jail, 2020 Main St., Sarasota, and the South County Jail at the Venice Police Department, 1350 E. Ridgewood Ave., Venice.

The FDLE and FBI will not accept inked fingerprint hardcopy cards as of April 1, the news release notes.    
The process has changed slightly, so the public should be aware of the following, according to a news release:

Each applicant must have an ORI (Originating Agency number) or CRI (Controlling Agency number) from the company requesting the criminal history.

The requesting agency must register with FDLE to receive electronic results.

The cost of the livescan service is $15, cash only.

Each applicant must bring an official photo ID.

Meetings & agendas
• Community Alliance Steering Committee — 1:30 to 3 p.m. March 19, Sarasota County Public Schools offices, brown awning building, 1960 Landings Blvd., Sarasota.
• Sarasota County School Board — March 20: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., workshop, 1980/1960 Landings Blvd., Sarasota; 3 p.m., regular meeting, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota.
• Sarasota County Criminal Justice Commission — noon, March 26, Third Floor Think Tank, County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota