Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Welcomes Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes to its Builders Give Back Program

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...e-Back-Program

The Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation (LWRCF) is pleased to welcome Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes to its Builders Give Back program. Through this program, which launched in May 2023, builders make a $100 donation per closing to the LWRCF in the name of the new homeowner.

Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes join the other builders currently participating in the program: Anchor Builders, AR Homes, Homes By Towne, John Cannon Homes, Lee Wetherington Homes, Pulte Homes, and Stock Luxury Homes. The program is further supported by Lakewood Ranch Communities, which donates a matching $100 per closing to the LWRCF.

The Builders Give Back program benefits the LWRCF by both developing engagement with homeowners in their community and introducing them to local philanthropy, which in turn will help create support for the LWRCF into the future. The mission of the LWRCF, which is financed fully by residents and businesses, is to enhance the quality of life in and near the Lakewood Ranch community by responding to local needs, granting funds, and building lasting relationships.

As Lakewood Ranch continues to grow, the needs of the community – including human services, education, animal services, and arts and culture – will also grow. For more information, visit:

https://lwrcf.org or call (941) 208-6799.

[wondermint2]

'Crossed the line:' Manatee deputy resigns after texting woman 'lewd' texts, misused computer

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...er/ar-BB1kRVdm

A Manatee County Sheriff’s deputy has resigned following an internal investigation that found he sent a woman unwanted, lewd text messages and misused a database to look up her phone number while on duty, the Herald-Tribune has learned.

Former deputy Donald Olmsted Jr. resigned after nearly 35 years of service after officials found that he misused office equipment to contact a woman and sent her multiple lewd texts. Olmsted resigned during the internal affairs investigation in July. The Herald-Tribune is not naming the woman involved.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County road rage incident

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/03/3...rage-incident/

Florida Highway Patrol responded to a highway violence incident on the southbound lanes on Interstate 75 at mile marker 228 in Manatee County on March 30th.

Two vehicles were involved in the incident, one driving a silver Infiniti SUV and a black Chevy Malibu.

The driver of the Malibu says the driver of the Infiniti brandished a firearm in a threatening manner.

During the investigation Troopers stopped the Infiniti and found a firearm inside the vehicle.

The driver was placed under arrest for Improper Exhibition/ Brandishing of a Firearm and was then booked into Manatee County Jail.

[wondermint2]

The Centennial Park Boat Ramp Closed

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/04/0...outputType=amp

The Centennial Park Boat Ramp off Tamiami Trail will be closed starting today. Crews will be working on emergency repairs to the ramp. The ramp is expected to reopen to the public on Saturday.

As an alternate boaters can use the public ramp at Ken Thompson Park.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Proposal for Sarasota Memorial to adopt Ladapo anti-vaccine guidance stirs controversy

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/oth...4cfb0198&ei=29

A Sarasota County Public Hospital Board Member wants Sarasota Memorial Hospital to incorporate a post on the hospital's website embracing assertions by Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo that COVID–19 vaccinations are risky and inappropriate for human use, a stance that federal health officials say is contrary to science and potentially deadly.

Board member Victor Rohe raised the idea during the board’s Jan. 23 meeting, and the topic is now scheduled for consideration when the board that governs Sarasota County's public hospital meets May 21. But as word about the possibility of Sarasota Memorial adopting Ladapo’s views spread in recent weeks, several community members – many of them fresh from skirmishes in other local culture war issues before the School Board and County Commission – preemptively spoke out on the topic at the panel’s March 26 meeting.

Rohe is one of three self-dubbed "Health Freedom" advocates who won a seat on the hospital board in 2022 as the issue of how Sarasota Memorial Hospital handled the COVID pandemic intensified. Their election prompted SMH to conduct an internal study of its COVID-19 response. The study's positive review of the hospital's performance fueled more controversy, as critics decried Sarasota Memorial's adherence to federal guidelines during the pandemic.

Four more board seats are on the ballot this year, with another slate of "medical freedom" candidates running, with the potential to give them a majority of seats on the board.

Letters to the Editor - Don't allow COVID-19 deniers, extremists to ruin Sarasota Memorial Hospital

For full column:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...orial-hospital

Keep ‘medical freedom’ slate off SMH board

The March 29 article titled “SMH board candidates file to run as a slate” should scare all Sarasota residents. If elected, the three candidates who are supported by Michael Flynn – a past adviser to former President Donald Trump – will ruin a great hospital.

Mary Flynn O’Neill, Tamzin Rosenwasser and Tanya Parus are part of the “medical freedom” movement that objected to how the hospital handled the COVID-19 pandemic. ( An independent review found that the hospital acted appropriately .)

The trio also favors privatizing the hospital.

If they are elected, what is considered a very good hospital will be guided by a bunch of conspiracy theorists who do not believe that COVID-19 was dangerous.

The hospital system also runs First Physicians Group. It is important that these physicians and all concerned citizens stand up to be counted. Do not vote for these three candidates.

When you are sick and in need of good care, remember this warning: We all know what happened to our excellent school system when extremists got control of the Sarasota County School Board.

The medical dictum “First Do No Harm” should be a warning to all. These people will do lots of harm if elected.

Ike Koziol, M.D., retired, Sarasota

[wondermint2]

Sarasota church says goodbye to beloved music minister retiring after three decades (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/03/3...outputType=amp

First Congregational United Church of Christ in Sarasota has existed for 70 years, and Greg Chestnut has been the music minister at the church for 35 of those years.

After spending over three decades teaching and leading a choir of over 40 people, while also being a valuable member of church community, Chestnut is retiring.

“It’s been a wonderful niche for me, I feel like the luckiest man alive,” said the music minister.

The choir members say they feel Chestnut has changed their lives for the better and that he helped build the church into what it is now.

[wondermint2]

Charlotte County seeks to delay future water price rise

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/33876...ter-price-rise

Charlotte County officials are looking for more time to gather information before a water authority vote on possible changes to prices per million gallons.

The Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority is due to meet Wednesday to discuss the allocation of water from expanded operations and a proposed change to the purchasing agreement.

At a March 26 meeting, Charlotte County commissioners advised Commissioner Joe Tiseo — the county's current representative on the water authority board — to motion for a delay for changing the master water supply contract.

DeSoto County has recently submitted a proposed change to the pricing on payment-in-lieu-of-taxes funding for water delivered through the Peace River Water Treatment Facility.

Based on water usage, Charlotte County and Sarasota County account for 45% each of the nearly 35 million gallons per day produced by the facility in the mid-2010s. The remainder is used by the city of North Port and DeSoto County itself.

DeSoto County representatives have cited that increase, plus the cost of inflation, to introduce a new formula for determining PILOT funding.

Charlotte County's payments would be projected to increase to roughly $874,000 starting in fiscal year 2027-28.

In the same timeframe, DeSoto County's own PILOT funding for water received would jump from roughly $15,000 to $91,000; for Sarasota County, it would translate from $345,541 to just over $1.7 million.

Payment in future years would escalate on a formula based on inflation.

Any change to the master water supply contract must be agreed to by the five signatories for the Peace River Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority — Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties, as well as the city of North Port.

North Port is not considered a full "member," according to Manson, but is treated as such due to its initial signing and separate contribution of excess water into a collective "pool."

[wondermint2]

The Suncoast’s Purple Martin flourishes at the Celery Fields

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/03/3...outputType=amp

Spring has arrived on the Suncoast.

While the official first day of spring was a little less than two weeks ago, dozens came out to the Celery Fields today to check in on one particular little bird, the Purple Martin.

It has quite the history. According to the Sarasota Audubon Society, Native Americans used to feed the Purple Martin out of gourds, keeping the little creatures close, though the reason why remains unknown to this day.

Scientists reported strong numbers Sunday, indicating that these birds will continue being a Suncoast staple for many years to come.

[wondermint2]

Mote's 40-year study proves effective

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/33873...oves-effective

A four-decade study by Mote Marine Laboratory of the nesting behaviors and productivity of marine turtles along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, confirms the effectiveness of Mote’s current conservation efforts.

Conducted by the Mote Marine Laboratory Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, this research provides critical insight into the dynamics of marine turtle populations and their implications for conservation effort according to a news release.

Most notably, the study highlights the significance of long-term data in understanding marine turtle populations.

Jake Lasala, program manager of the Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, said that long-term data is numerically invaluable.

“Long-term data sets are indispensable for developing effective conservation strategies for threatened and endangered species like marine turtles,” Lasala said. “They allow us to discern trends, understand population dynamics, and identify key factors influencing nesting success.”

Conducted across five beaches in Sarasota County since 1982, the research involved standardized monitoring of nesting habitats.

[wondermint2]

Openings still available for SCSO firearm training course


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bphGGcxpxO4

Are you interested in learning about firearm safety? Sarasota County residents will be able to learn for free.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is offering a free course May 9-10 at the SCSO Gun Range from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In order to participate, you must:

- Be a permanent Sarasota County resident
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Possess a valid FL driver’s license or government ID
- Be able to pass an SCSO background check
- Bring your own firearm, 2 magazines, and a holster

SCSO will provide ammo for students with a 9mm firearm. This course is designed for those new to firearms and those who own a handgun; no long guns will be permitted.

Openings are still available for the Thursday, May 9 class. To register, go to:

https://www.sarasotasheriff.org/prog...tion_class.php