Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Sarasota deputies arrest man for mass fraud, worked with group to net $2.3 million

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...on/ar-BB1ioYMl

After a nearly two-year investigation, Sarasota County deputies have arrested a man for scheming to defraud and grand theft of more than $100,000.

Sheldon Neil, 35, was arrested on Jan. 28 after the investigation into a group's statewide mass fraud and racketeering attempt. Neil worked with 12 other individuals across Florida to fraudulently apply for more than 200 credit cards, a sheriff's official said. Since 2018, the group has used seven fictitious businesses to attempt credit card transactions of almost $7 million and netted $2.3 million, sheriff’s officials said.

Five people in the group were arrested in October 2023, but Neil and eight other individuals had outstanding warrants for their connection to the crimes.

Credit cards were fraudulently obtained and processed by merchant processing services for fictitious merchants, and the funds were deposited into one or more of Neil’s bank accounts, court records said.

The sheriff’s office Economic Crimes Unit found that 38 of the fraudulent applications submitted were done using the identity of Sarasota County residents, and 355 of the applications were done using the identity of other Florida residents.

In March 2022, the sheriff’s office received identity theft reports from victims who lived in the county and reported that their personal identification information was used to submit credit card applications without their authorization.

[wondermint2]

Englewood fire chief fears someone starting fires may be at large

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/02/1...-may-be-large/

Englewood Fire Chief Kevin Easton says someone may be at large starting fires in his city.

Eight separate fires sprang up in Englewood late Thursday afternoon. Now, the whole city is on high alert.

The fires were all on South McCall Ave from Placida to Winchester.

[wondermint2]

Warm Mineral Springs Park's future: Plans amid some concerns (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.fox4now.com/warm-mineral...-some-concerns

Warm Mineral Springs Park in North Port is a sanctuary for many people.

"I worked here for 25 years," concerned resident Mirjana Putnik said. "It's healing water. I see a lot of people come here sick. They are hardly walking after surgery, car accidents. After two weeks or more, they are recovering from their injuries."

However, the people who love it are also worried about its future.

"How do you just go in there and develop that?," concerned resident Robin SanVicente said. "How do you start looking at places that are so archaeologically significant to the history of the United States - forget about just Florida. How do you even decide to just tamper with that?"

A public-private partnership proposal between a developer and the City of North Port recently fell through.

"They just couldn't make the math work," North Port City Manager Jerome Fletcher said. "There was an item, multiple items in their form of insurance and staffing that exceeded their expectations."

[wondermint2]

Your Opinion Matters: Sarasota Residents Invited to Participate in Main Street Redesign Survey Starting Feb. 16

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...tarting-feb-16

Downtown Sarasota residents are invited to take an online survey about Main Street. The survey is part of the Main Street Complete Streets project and seeks public opinion on improving parking, driving, walkability, and aesthetics. It will be available from February 16 to April 12 on the project's webpage.

The Main Street Complete Streets initiative is in the early planning stages. The city's goal is to make Main Street safer, more visually appealing, and better connected between US 41 and School Avenue. This initiative was ranked eighth in Sarasota’s Transportation Master Plan, adopted by the City Commission in 2019.

The planning stage for Main Street's redesign includes several opportunities for public engagement. These include surveys, public events, and more. The aim is to integrate community vision into the redesign process.

A complete street is designed to promote safe travel for all transportation modes, including walking, biking, transit, or driving. It is accessible to all users and contributes to the community's identity. A complete street may feature improved sidewalks, street lighting, benches, trees, landscaping, public art, and more.

For more information, residents can contact Alvimarie Corales, Chief Transportation Planner, at Alvimarie.Corales@SarasotaFL.gov. The goal is to transform Main Street into a space that meets the community's needs and preferences.

Visit here for more details:

https://www.sarasotafl.gov/Home/Comp...ews/News/3539/

[wondermint2]

FEMA extends housing program for Ian victims but monthly rent begins in March

For full article:

https://winknews.com/2024/02/16/fema...hurricane-ian/

FEMA announced a six-month extension of the Direct Temporary Housing program through Sept. 29 for eligible households, but they will soon need to start paying rent.

They announced on Friday that an extension is available for those in Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Hardee, Lee, Sarasota and Volusia counties.

However, under FEMA housing program rules and regulations, those continuing to live in FEMA temporary housing units after March 29 will be responsible for paying monthly rent.

Rental rates will vary based on the size and location of the temporary housing unit but will not exceed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fair market rate.

[wondermint2]

8-pack of Budweiser Clydesdales strut down Lakewood Ranch Main Street (Photo Gallery)

For full article & photos:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...treet/#photo-3

While living in St. Louis, Missouri, GreyHawk Landing's Allen and Susan Lane were able to see the Budweiser Clydesdales several times.

Susan Lane said Warm Springs Ranch, which is the official breeding facility of the Budweiser Clydesdales, is so clean, someone could eat off the floor in a horse's stable.

So when the Lanes had the opportunity to see their favorite horses again almost a year after moving to Greyhawk Landing, they didn't want to miss it.

They found a spot along Lakewood Main Street Feb. 15 along with hundreds of other Clydesdale fans who wanted a glimpse as the Clydesdales pulled the famous Budweiser wagon down the street.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County Commissioners Invest in Local Housing, Public Safety, and Recreation

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/33373...and-recreation

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) in Manatee County, Florida, has funded key community initiatives. These include affordable housing, public safety, recreation, and support services. The BOCC recently allocated $1.6 million to two workforce housing initiatives and approved $561,036 for a Hurricane Housing Recovery Program. They also set aside $985,000 for the Ellenton EMS Station 6 renovation and $2,381,860 for the G.T. Bray Recreation Center expansion.

Additional recreation investments were approved. $525,000 was allocated to replace playground equipment at three parks. The BOCC also approved a $700,000 request to plant trees at local parks. They also approved $27,830 to fund home-delivered meals through Meals on Wheels Plus of Manatee, Inc.

The BOCC is supporting education as well. They transferred $87,100 into the Library Capital Projects Fund for a library Bookmobile. They also approved the donation of 395 reconditioned Apple iPads to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County. They approved funding for median rehabilitation and the construction of a parking lot at the Premier Sports Campus.

The county received a $2.9 million grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Manatee County Palmetto Trails. They also received another HUD grant of $950,000 for a pedestrian bridge over US 41 at Lincoln Park.

The county also agreed with HUD to use a $2.5 million grant for a roundabout intersection project. Commissioner Jason Bearden stated that the board is responding to citizens by funding crucial projects.

Visit here for more details:

https://www.mymanatee.org/news___eve...ty_initiatives

[wondermint2]

Master-Planned Community Seaire Planned East of Interstate 75 on Moccasin Wallow Road in Parrish, FL

https://floridayimby.com/2024/02/mas...arrish-fl.html

Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes has plans for a master-planned community in Manatee County. At full buildout, Seaire will offer 3,000 homes and span 600 acres. Dream Finders Homes is currently moving ahead with 300 home sites.

Per the Tampa Bay Business Journal, 99 will be single-family homes, measuring 2,600 square feet to 3,500 square feet each. The remaining 201 units will be townhomes built in “four-plexes.” Those units will span 1,400 square feet to 2,000 square feet each. Our sources indicate that townhomes range from $394,990 to $405,990, although this could change with time.

Residences include townhomes and single-family homes.

In addition to the 300 residences, Seaire will offer a 4.5-acre manmade lagoon, with many homes coming with lakeside views. Dream Finders Homes intends to launch sales for Seaire later this month. Potential residents can take tours of the townhomes later this spring.

In 2022, the Jacksonville Business Journal reported that the larger Seaire community would involve three homebuilders: Lennar, D.R. Horton, and of course, Dream Finders Homes. The locally-based organization has projects in Orlando and outside of Florida, including Georgia, the Carolinas, Virginia, Texas, Colorado, and Maryland.

Metro Development Group is the master developer of Seaire itself. It’ll be located east of Interstate 75 on Moccasin Wallow Road in Parrish, FL, 34219, in Manatee County.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

This was posted online about 11 hours ago.

Firefighters on the scene of Sarasota County brush fire at Oscar Scherer park

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fi...rk/ar-BB1i3BBm

Sarasota Emergency Services are working to put out a brush fire at Oscar Scherer State Park after losing control of a prescribed fire on Friday.

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office deployed its aviation unit to assist with efforts, the department announced. Officials said that Honore Ave to Legacy Trail and Bay Street from Honore were also closed and recommended caution for those in the area.

Multiple units – including the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, Sarasota County Fire, and the Florida Forestry Service units – are also on the scene.

Chopper pilot describes experience battling Sarasota wildfire

Crews recently spent hours putting out a controlled burn-turned-wildfire in Sarasota's Oscar Scherer State Park.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58oZxmnSFVo

[wondermint2]

Tervis Tumbler capitalizing on Stanley tumbler craze

Tervis Tumbler is launching new products to compete with the viral Stanley tumblers.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVSlBFhA3Ww