News Briefs

+ Town offices to close for Labor Day
Town offices will be closed Monday, Sept. 3, in observance of Labor Day and will re-open at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4. Garbage and recycling have been rescheduled to Tuesday. For more information, call 316-1988.

+ Homeowner removes nuisance brush
One property owner’s brush with the Longboat Key Code Enforcement Board is over.

The board voted at its Aug. 13 meeting to establish grounds for a repeat violation for Kelly Sullivan, of 500 Schooner Lane, for a large pile of brush that accumulated in his yard. According to Code Enforcement Officer Amanda Nemoytin, Sullivan removed the brush within hours of, and possibly during July’s board meeting, during which the board gave him 48 hours for removal.

+ State agency OKs Comp Plan amendment
The State Land Planning Agency has reviewed the Comprehensive Plan amendment adopted June 21 and found no need for changes.

The amendment allows for a possible overlay for properties in the Whitney Beach area.

If the amendment is not challenged by an affected person within 31 days of the July 31 notification date, it will become effective.

+ Mote scientists hope for Edna sightings
Mote Marine Laboratory returned a female dolphin nicknamed Edna to the wild Aug. 14, two-and-a-half months after she stranded on Longboat Key.

But for the past two weeks, Mote scientists haven’t heard from Edna.

Although she was tagged by the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, which planned to send tag readings to a satellite for 60 to 100 days, researchers received the last good-quality signal from Edna’s tag Aug. 17, which showed she was offshore Longboat Key.

Dr. Randall Wells, director of the Sarasota Dolphin Research Program, said in a prepared statement:
“In cases like this, we hope the issue is with the tag and not with the dolphin’s condition ... We will continue to wish the best for Edna and remain vigilant for sightings of her.”

Meetings & Agendas
• Longboat Key Town Commission special budget workshop — 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4
• Longboat Key Town Commission regular meeting — 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4
• Code Enforcement Board regular meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 10