Cedar Hammock firefighter honored for rescue idea

Cedar Hammock firefighter honored for rescue idea

MANATEE -- Cedar Hammock firefighter Mike Dunn was awarded the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Firefighter Award on March 10 for developing the Your Life Matters cards for victims of overdoses.

Florida State VFW Commander Amber Putman, Chairman of the Award Committee Pat Love and VFW Post 10141 Cmdr. Tony Fouse presented the award to Dunn for "exemplary and courageous service to the community and the nation."

Dunn developed the cards, which list places to go for help with addictions. First responders in Manatee County leave the cards with rescued overdose victims so they have the resource if they decide to seek help.

"What I have discovered these last few months is this: These overdose patients are real people with real hearts and they are hurting," Dunn wrote in describing the idea. "The worst part is, if they want to get help, it is hard to find where to start."

Police capture 4-foot boa constrictor in Sarasota

SARASOTA -- A 4-foot-long boa constrictor outside an apartment porch has been captured by Sarasota police officers.

At about 6:30 a.m. Thursday, Sarasota police officers were dispatched to the 200 block of North Shade Avenue about a snake inside the porch.

Sarasota officers Todd Tschetter and Sean Gleason captured the snake before calling animal services to retrieve it, according to a news release.

Officer Tschetter used a pole already inside his patrol vehicle to wrangle the snake while officer Gleason held a pillowcase from the homeowner to hold the snake, according to the news release.

Judicial Nominating Commission to meet

SARASOTA -- The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will convene at 1:30 p.m. April 13 at the Judge Lynn N. Silvertooth Judicial Center, 2002 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, in the eighth-floor conference room to discuss judicial applications received to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge John F. Lakin.

The 12th Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission will also convene at 1:30 p.m. April 26 and 9 a.m. April 27 for the interview, deliberation and voting process.

Email Jenny Davis at jdavis@blalockwalters.com for call-in information.

-- Herald staff reports

This story was originally published March 17, 2016 at 11:35 PM with the headline "Cedar Hammock firefighter honored for rescue idea ."