News Briefs

+ Waechter’s court hearing delayed
The State Attorney’s Office has not yet filed formal charges against former Sarasota GOP Chairman Bob Waechter, stemming from a December arrest for alleged fraudulent campaign donations.

The office’s inaction delayed Waechter’s Jan. 11 scheduled court appearance for the felony charge.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office detectives in Waechter’s arrest report said deputies traced a pre-paid debit card that the 70-year-old Siesta Key Association member purchased to donations made to Democratic candidates in the name of fellow Republican Lourdes Ramirez.

+ Sheriff’s Office had little input on beach project
New Siesta Key Village businesses located on Avenida Madera are joining forces to improve their marketing efforts.

“What we want to do is brand the street,” said Jeff Madden, co-owner of Beach Bites, which opened Sept. 24. Owners and managers of Solorzano Brothers Pizza, Eat Here and Sub Zero Ice Cream and Yogurt, which opens Jan. 17, have discussed changing the alley’s name to “Eat Street.”

The effort is more marketing-based, Madden explained. Eateries could bundle advertising under the “Eat Street” brand, which would not require an official name change.

“We’re excited about it — the street is really coming alive,” Madden said. “It’s been dead for a while.”

+ Firm sought for Ed Smith condition study
Sarasota County posted a request Jan. 12 for proposals to assess the condition of Ed Smith Stadium and associated Baltimore Orioles Training Facilities and Clubhouse, and the Buck O’Neal Baseball Complex at Twin Lakes Park.

The firm, chosen after Feb. 12, will collect data at sites and present five categories of repairs ranked by priority. The company will estimate the timeframe necessary for renovations and estimate repair costs, according to solicitation documents.