Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

'Things To Do' presented by Sarasota Magazine

For full column:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-daily/2024-03-15

A list of upcoming local events.

[wondermint2]

LWV County Commission Notes: 3/12/24

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...es-31224,78848

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on 3/12/2024, observed by Maureen Dardinski.

[wondermint2]

Venice child, 3, taken off life support after drowning

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...after-drowning

A 3-year-old Venice girl was taken off life support this week after the consequences from a drowning, according to an email from the YMCA that went to parents.

The girl was a Venice YMCA Early Learning Academy student, but officials noted the drowning did not happen at the YMCA.

“Over the weekend, one of our ELA students, Evaleen, drowned,” the email stated. “She was placed on life support, and the family made the difficult decision to donate her organs. They are in the process of saying goodbye to their child.”

It did not state the circumstances of the drowning.

The child will be remembered at 10 a.m. March 16 during an already planned “Safety Around Water” event at the Venice YMCA.

“She was a bright little girl, and she was loved by so many,” the email from the YMCA stated. “I always say we are a family here at the Y, and our staff are heartbroken.”

[wondermint2]

Walk on Southwest Florida beach leads to finding this impressive piece of buried treasure

For full article & photos:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...uried-treasure

Cassie Shivley recalled the conversation she had with her father. He was going for a walk on the beach and he had one thing in mind.

Shivley's father, Brad Vanderstow, lives in Central Michigan. He is spending two months this winter vacationing in Florida. He has enjoyed looking for shells on Satellite Beach and on Fort Myers Beach. On March 6, he visited South Englewood Beach neat Stump Pass, just south of Sarasota.

"He has found quite a collection of small (shark's) teeth, and was hoping to at least find a decent sized one for a necklace," Shivley said. "He jokingly told me he wanted to find a megalodon tooth after he started finding the small ones."

Vanderstow, 64, found one. A big one.

[wondermint2]

Deeper Dive: Why Florida sheriffs support law with stricter penalties for kids with guns

The 'Juvenile Justice Bill' passed the legislative session and is now on Governor Ron DeSantis' desk. If signed, it will go into effect July 1st.

For full article & video:

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/cr...5-b9a458aa4de1

Keeping guns out of the wrong hands: that's the goal of the newly passed Juvenile Justice Bill, which will increase penalties for minors committing firearms violations.

Over the last several months an increase in crime has sparked the attention of law enforcement across the state and right here in Tampa Bay, making lawmakers take action.

10 Tampa Bay's Angelina Salcedo takes a "deeper dive" into three Bay Area counties where the problem keeps growing, along with the penalties to hold minors accountable.

The crime rate in Pinellas, Polk and Manatee counties is actually lower than what each sheriff has seen in the past 10 years, but what they're noticing is a shift in the type of crimes and who is committing them.

No matter where the shootings happen, each incident is more disheartening than the last. In Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells showed his frustration at the beginning of the year when two separate incidents put people in danger, including his deputies.

Manatee County saw an increase in shootings involving people under 18 in 2023 after a dip the year before. Nine suspects were tracked in 2022 despite 27 incidents happening. Just last year the number of suspects jumped to 25 and the incidents to 39.

"We can do something about these guns being left in vehicles. We're just making it too easy for these kids to get guns. We just got to do a better job," Sheriff Wells said.

Data shows the number of guns stolen from vehicles in the county jumped from 66 in 2022 to 83 the following year. The numbers saw similar increases in both Pinellas and Polk. Each gun stolen is likely being used to commit a crime and deputies say many of the teens involved have a history with law enforcement.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County Jail plant sale (Video)

A variety of plants and flowers grown by inmates at the Manatee County Jail are available for purchase.

For video:

https://www.fox13news.com/video/1425550.amp

[wondermint2]

Sarasota Police Release Videos of Officers Shooting and Killing William Pickett (Video)

William Pickett was wanted on a warrant charging him with robbing the Fifth-Third Bank.

According to authorities, 54-year-old William Pickett had robbed the Fifth Third Bank on Saturday, February 24, and had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Officers stopped him on Monday Feb 26th, leading to the shooting incident near University Parkway and US 41.

The Sarasota Police Department is releasing the body-worn camera videos from the five officers involved in the officer-involved shooting. VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED.

All five officers are on administrative leave, which is policy for any officer-involved shooting. This incident remains under investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

[wondermint2]

Rashad West steps down as Palmetto High football coach

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/palmetto-f...football-coach

For the second time in two seasons, Palmetto High is looking for a football coach.

Rashad West stepped down as head coach of the Tigers after one season.

“It was a tough decision but it was the right time and right decision for me,” West said. “It was kinda the right time for me with this.”

Palmetto went 5-5, losing three of four to end the season, and reached the playoffs as a sixth seed. The Tigers lost to Riverview 49-20 in the first round.

[wondermint2]

GUEST COMMENTARY - Bradenton's Commitment to Infrastructure Improvement

by Mayor Gene Brown and the Bradenton City Council

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...rovement,78657

The City of Bradenton is tackling its aged infrastructure head-on. As the current mayor and city council, we’ve allocated significant resources for long-term planning, engineering, and construction to address the aging infrastructure of sewer and water systems. Rooted in our community with multigenerational ties to Bradenton, we prioritize exceptional services, quality of life, civic pride, and environmental preservation.

[wondermint2]

100 Men in 100 Days: Big Brother volunteers needed in Sarasota

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast launches its “100 Men in 100 Days” campaign, encouraging men to volunteer with the organization and become a Big Brother.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLCiXDXvke8

The organization facilitates monitored matches between volunteers and children ages 6 through 21 in Sarasota, Manatee, and Charlotte counties.

SNN asked Zane why he thought it was important that other boys get big brothers.

“Because their mom wants them to have somebody to be in their life with them because they don’t have anybody with them to be in their life with them,” he said.

Big Brothers Big Sisters has positively impacted over 1,500 youth across a 10-county region this past year.

The “100 Men in 100 Days” campaign runs until June 19.To learn more, or to become a Big call (855) 501-BIGS (2447), or visit:

https://www.bbbssun.org/