News Briefs

+ Suspicious incidents cause multiple shutdowns
On Tuesday, a pair of suspicious incidents required buildings to be shutdown and the FBI to assist local authorities, but neither resulted in any damages.

Just after noon, a suspect threw a powdered substance into the LensCrafters store at the Westfield Southgate Shopping Center.

About two hours later, authorities locked down the area around Five Points Park. A suspicious envelope was delivered to the Plaza at Five Points, marked with the words “TNT” and “kaboom.” The envelope was determined to be neither hazardous nor explosive.

On Wednesday, Sarasota police said the suspect in the mall incident was a man whose fiancee died several months ago. He had been leaving her ashes at various places around town. He told police he was unaware he had caused any problems and was apologetic for causing a commotion.

+ Rosie O’Donnell purchases Casey Key home
Rosie O’Donnell has a new view — the Casey Key beachfront.

The 51-year-old television personality and comedian closed on a 4,647-square-foot Casey Key beachfront home Oct. 10.

O’Donnell purchased the home, which was remodeled in 2009, for $5 million. The previous owners, William and Donna Brian of Berkley, Mich., bought the home in 2005 for $4.6 million and were represented in the sale by Thomas Hedge Jr. and Monica Barth of The Hedge Team at Premier Sotheby’s International Realty. Jill Friedman and Kevin Vale of Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate represented O’Donnell in the sale.

O’Donnell’s new Key West-style beachfront home has large French doors that open to views of the beach. It features such as amenities as French oak floors, custom carpentry and state-of-the-art appliances.

+ Citizens graduate Sheriff’s Office program
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office graduated 22 people from the 40th class of the Citizens Law Enforcement Academy (CLEA) Oct. 10.

CLEA is an 11-week course that gives citizens an inside look at Sheriff’s Office operations ranging from running the jail, criminal investigations, SWAT teams and forensics. The course also includes ride-along and firearms training, as well as demonstrations by K-9 and mounted patrol units.

The Sheriff’s Office runs the CLEA program twice a year; more than 800 people have graduated over 20 years. Applications are full for the spring 2014 class, but the fall class, which begins next August, still has spots available. Visit www.sarasotasheriff.org.

Meetings & agendas
Regular City Commission Meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota.

Sarasota Board of County Commissioners Meeting — 9 a.m. Tuesdsay, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.

Joint County/City Commission Meeting — 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22, Third Floor Think Tank, Sarasota County Administration Center, 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota.