Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/100825
Sarasota News Leader December 28, 2012 Page 42 JULY 9 Laura Williams, director of Florida operations for the Baltimore Orioles, accepts a commemorative plaque from Sarasota resident Norman Schimmel and Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta, recognizing the fact that the Orioles drew more than 100,000 fans to their 2012 spring training games in Sarasota. (Barbetta was acting in a private capacity for the presentation.) The official count for 2012 was 106,398 fans at 15 games, Williams told The Sarasota News Leader this spring. The Orioles surpassed the 100,000 mark in 2011 as well, following the renovations of Ed Smith Stadium. The Orioles were one of only six Major League Baseball teams, out the 15 based in Florida, to achieve an attendance level of 100,000 or higher this year. (From left) Norman Schimmel, Laura Williams and Joe Barbetta. Contributed photo JULY 10 With Commissioner Jon Thaxton casting the solitary ���No��� vote, the Sarasota County Commission votes 4-1 to allow a pilot program for A photo shows damage to environmentally sensitive land caused by feral hogs ��� a factor that led to the County Commission agreeing to allow hunts of the animals on county property. Photo courtesy Sarasota County