The search for a former Venice city councilman came to a sad end Wednesday when police apparently found the body of David Sherman in the woods north of Pinebrook Park. A medical examiner’s report will make final identification of the body, but Police Chief Tom McNulty said personal items indicate it was the councilman, who lost a bid for re-election in November.

Sherman was reported missing on Feb. 7 and his death has been the subject of speculation in Southwest Florida political circles since then. Police in fact were focusing energy on theories besides Sherman’s death for his disappearance. While foul play was ruled out early, detectives learned in conversations with Sherman’s family that he had disappeared once before, in the 1980s when he walked away from his life and didn’t contact anybody for six and a half years.

But the potential of a suicide—or a serious injury that resulted in his death— was not ruled out either. McNulty, already decided that the community needed an update on the search, ordered cadaver dogs Wednesday morning to search the area for any signs of Sherman. They found the body, dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, in a wooded area north of Curry Creek.  "He had gotten into a wooded area with some dense vegetation," McNulty said. "It was my belief he did not want to be found."

Sherman had served on the Venice City Council from 2011 through November, when he was defeated by challenger Deborah Anderson. The contest was a bit of a family grudge match; Sherman had previously defeated Anderson’s husband for the seat in a prior election. His defeat was somewhat of a surprise on election night following a low-key election cycle in Venice.

McNulty said family reported Sherman took the loss hard. “We believe that job was very important to him,” he said. Still most felt he was moving on. But he also was suffering other financial setbacks, McNulty said. 

The Manatee Players’ production of John Pielmeier’s Tony Award-winning drama, Agnes of God, opens tonight in the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater. When a child in the convent dies, one young nun is accused of murder, setting into motion a battle for dominance between her Mother Superior and the psychiatrist assigned to her case.

“It’s always been very close to my heart - the message, the questions that the play brings up regarding science versus faith,” said Candace Artim, director of Agnes. The play’s deft handling of heavy subject matter is its strength, according to Artim, who credits the play for its measured approach. It’s exploratory, but not antagonistic. Not dictating, but starting a conversation. “Thoughtful and thought-provoking,” said Artim. “It does continue to open questions, but that’s the point. That’s what this play generates for the audience.”

And Kiwanis Theater regulars will notice a marked change in this latest production, as it will be the first to be presented ‘in the round.’ At Artim’s request, the traditional proscenium approach has been foregone in lieu of this more immersive presentation, allowing Artim and her team to utilize lighting and other technical elements in different ways to capitalize on the minimalist set design.

“I wanted to open it up and do something different,” said Artim.

The Manatee Players' Agnes of God, starring Amy Woerner, Alice Cotman and Lynne Doyle and directed by Candace Artim, opens today at the Bradenton Kiwanis Theater at the Manatee Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm. 

TripAdvisor listed Siesta Beach on Siesta Key as the No. 1 beach in the United States. The list of the top 25 beaches in the country was released as part of the 2015 Travelers’ Choice recognition, beating out No. 2 Saint Pete Beach and No. 3 Ka’anapali Beach in Hawaii. 

TripAdvisor

Former state Rep. Doug Holder, R-Osprey, was appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to the Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority. Holder served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2006 to 2014. He currently serves as a board member for Florida Center for Early Childhood Board of Directors and as a trustee for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. He succeeds Henry Rodriguez and is appointed for a term ending November 17, 2018. 

Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority

The Sarasota YMCA announced Tracy Spalsbury as director of marketing. This is a newly created position to develop effective communications and marketing strategies to help build the community’s understanding of the YMCA’s cause and impact. Spalsbury has more than 10 years of experience in marketing and branding. Her previous roles were at two of the area’s larger companies, Tervis and Feld Entertainment.  

Sarasota YMCA