What's happening: Week of Feb. 12, 2015

Police recover body of Ringling Bridge jumper
The Sarasota Police Department recovered the body of a man who jumped from the Ringling Bridge before 9:30 a.m. Monday.

Police later identified the man as Louis Klinger, 63, a resident of Lakewood Ranch.

Klinger was reportedly involved in a hit-and-run accident near the intersection of North Tamiami Trail and University Parkway, after which he fled to the John Ringling Causeway, according to SPD spokeswoman Genevieve Judge.

County weeds out wildflower program
The county has ended an initiative to install wildflowers in medians along Fruitville Road near I-75.

The pilot project, which began in December 2013, has already used up almost all of its allocated funding because of upkeep and maintenance costs.

The county set aside $19,495 for two years of funding. In the last year, the program has siphoned out all but $6,000.

The wildflowers will be replaced with native shrubbery and more colorful flowers. The replacement cost is estimated at $10,000.

What's the buzz?
Nancy’s Bar-B-Q isn’t packing up its downtown Sarasota location, but it is moving to the east side.
The restaurant, which has a cult-like following for its North Carolina-style pork barbecue, has signed a lease for a unit on Lakewood Ranch Main Street and likely will open for business in May.

Nancy’s owner, Nancy Krohngold, originally planned to open in a spot farther west on University Parkway, near the Mall at University Town Center, but those plans fell through after Benderson Development scrapped plans for the outparcel Nancy’s would occupy, Krohngold said.

Instead, she reached a deal with Schroeder-Manatee Ranch subsidiary Lakewood Ranch Commercial Realty almost immediately after her plans fell through in October.

“We’re ripe for growth, and I feel confident this is the right fit,” Krohngold said of her future second location. “I’m extremely excited about being the first barbecue location in Lakewood Ranch.”

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“ Yes!!!!”
Mariah Cohen

“Yes!!!! We need BBQ in LWR!!!”
Tracy Fox

“Best brisket sandwich I've ever had!”
Garrison C. Masengale

BY THE NUMBERS
5,668 - Calls Sarasota’s busiest fire station, Station 1 downtown, received in 2014

49 - Parks city staff operates

2 - Packages of stick-on mustaches a woman stole from a grocery store
See more Cops Corner entries on page 9A.

8 hours, 10 minutes - Length of the longest City Commission meeting last year

MEETINGS
Regular City Commission meeting — 2:30 and 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Commission Chambers, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota

Sarasota County School Board meeting — 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 17, Landings Administrative Complex, 1980 Landings Blvd., Sarasota