Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Suncoast Charities for Children needs your help saving annual July 4 Bayfront Fireworks event

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...52d34679&ei=35

Suncoast Charities for Children needs your support in saving its July 4 Bayfront Fireworks event it says is in jeopardy of discontinuing within the next few years.

The organization wishes to raise $50,000 in fundraising for next year’s event and beyond, according to its news release.

Steadily decreasing net revenues and rising costs and expenses have stiffened its abilities to produce the July 4 Bayfront Fireworks event that has been “a cherished tradition bringing our community and families together for years,” the organization said.

Marina Jack, a supporter of the charity, donated towards this year’s event, though it says despite this year’s success, the future of the show is in jeopardy.

Last year, Suncoast Charities incurred well over $37,000 in total expenses, which included a 20-minute fireworks display. Marina Jack said if it wasn’t for an anonymous donation to the charity, it would have suffered a loss in funds.

Only $14,000 in public and private sponsorships were secured for the event even though the anonymous donor gave $7,000 at the last minute, Marina Jack said.

“Every contribution counts, big or small, to ensure this symbol of unity and celebration continues to light up the City of Sarasota night sky annually,” the release said.

*To donate:

https://suncoastcharitiesforchildren...ampaigns/14544

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KX-VY5Bp4ms

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Hmm IMO the cause could be 1) medical incident 2) impaired driver 3) distracted driver 4) speeding 5) confused senior

3 hurt after Jeep crashes into Manatee County store

For full article & photo:

https://www.fox13news.com/news/3-hur...e-county-store

HOLMES BEACH, Fla. - Three people are recovering from injuries after a Jeep crashed into a store while people were inside in Manatee County on Thursday.

According to Holmes Beach police, the Jeep went all the way into Gypsea Tides off Marina Drive around noon.

Investigators say two of the three victims suffered broken bones, but their injuries are not life-threatening.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, with police saying the driver could face charges.

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

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

FedEx set to lay off 220 employees in Charlotte, Lee and Collier with facility closures

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...1be4894e&ei=30

Four FedEx facilities in Southwest Florida will close resulting in the elimination of 220 jobs in Collier, Lee and Charlotte counties, according to notices filed with state officials this week.

The four facilities that will be closed are in Naples, Fort Myers and Punta Gorda. The layoffs will begin on July 29, according to notices filed with the state of Florida.

"Employees whose positions are eliminated will be provided options to consider, including relocation, severance, or a leave of absence during which they may pursue other positions with the company," according to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filed with the Florida Department of Commerce.

A FedEx company officials said in a statement that the closures were part of an adjustment "to align with the evolving needs of the business."

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

[wondermint2]

Deputies arrest suspect with machete for armed robbery and attempting to ram a cruiser in Englewood


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnwK-IvnHro

Charlotte County deputies have arrested a man they say waved a machete and tried to strike a patrol cruiser after an armed robbery call at a Dollar Store in Englewood.

[wondermint2]

Musical favorites and new works highlight Florida Studio Theatre’s summer season

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...f9eac64d&ei=43

As the weather heats up, Florida Studio Theatre lightens up the tone of the plays and musicals it presents.

“We found out many years ago when we had put in a drama every summer that they were not being well attended,” said Richard Hopkins, the theater’s producing artistic director “We decided we were going to stop wasting those great dramas in the summer when people just want to have fun in the summer, and save them for the winter months.”

But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to the three mainstage shows that Hopkins has picked to run from June into September. “It’s just a lighter approach to what is happening,” he said, like the non-partisan political comedy “The Outsider” and the songs John Kander and Fred Ebb created for more than a dozen musicals dealing with a world of issues and conflicts. They are both part of the theater’s summer season.

Here’s a look at the summer mainstage season and the three touring cabaret shows.

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*Tickets
For ticket information and subscriptions: 941-366-9000; https://floridastudiotheatre.org

[wondermint2]

Four new EMS bicycles unveiled during Venice Public Safety Day

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/fo...f9eac64d&ei=50

Venice Fire Rescue and Police Department showcased their newest assets, on display at the event were four bicycles retrofitted with emergency medical equipment during Venice Public Safety Day.

The bikes are manned by VFR Emergency Medical Technicians or Paramedics, they will carry medication and both basic and advanced life support equipment for emergency responses.

All of this was funded through a Florida Department of Health EMS Grant and Sarasota County.

The four bikes were purchased from Bicycles International with a total approximated cost of $4,000 VFR plans to expand the EMS bicycle team in the future.

[wondermint2]

Hurricane Expo Prepares Suncoast Residents for Storm Season

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hu...f9eac64d&ei=56

Linda Wilson was one of hundreds who took part in the annual Hurricane Expo Saturday at the George Mullen Activity Center in North Port.

The goal was to prepare and empower residents with valuable information and resources for the upcoming hurricane season beginning June 1st.

“I needed to find out what our escape route is, what zone we are in, I couldn’t locate it myself, so I’m hoping to get some information here in case something does happen,” Wilson said.

Presentations were offered by the National Weather Service as well as North Port Emergency Management.

Various North Port departments were also on hand to advise residents on preparing for and responding to hurricanes.

“If you come here, we have a way to sign you up, if you’re a homeowner’s association, or other groups such a boy or girl scout, or have some sort of a group where you’d like us to come speak, we’d be happy to do that to hammer home the importance of hurricane preparedness,” said City of North Port Emergency Services Manager Stacy Aloisio.

The Sarasota County Long-Term Recovery Group was also on hand offering helpful information and assistance about Hurricane Ian resources still available for affected residents.

A City-Wide Job Fair was also held at the Center to help those looking for new jobs.

For more information on storm preparation, and additional resources, visit:

https://NorthPortFL.gov/Alerts.

[wondermint2]

It looks like (according to the NOAA color coded map) our area is "leaning to above normal temperatures" for May, June & July - while areas just to the South of us are predicted to be "above normal". Precipitation chances for our area are predicted to be "equal chances" of above or below normal.

Florida looking at a hotter-than-average start to summer, NOAA says

For full article & color coded maps:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/to...f9eac64d&ei=57

You may want to clean out the kiddie pool and dust off the patio furniture early this year. We’re in for a hot start to summer, according to a national weather outlook released Thursday by the National Weather Service.

All but two states on the new national forecast map are show in shades of orange and red. The darker the color, the more likely an area is to see above-average temperatures between May and July this year.

Southern Florida in particular is expected to have an extra-hot start to summer with cities such as Miami and Fort Myers predicted to face hotter-than-average weather.

The rest of Florida should see warmer temperatures as well, but not to the degree of the south.

Northern Florida is leaning toward seeing more rain this summer summer while the rest of the state should see average precipitation.

[wondermint2]

Venice Symphony closes 50th season with plans for growth

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news...f9eac64d&ei=59

Music Director Troy Quinn is leading The Venice Symphony to an explosive end to the orchestra’s 50th anniversary season, while planning for more growth and expansion as it heads into a busy 2024-25 season.

“The Crown Jewel Finale” concerts on April 26 and 27 in the Venice Performing Arts Center will be the biggest the orchestra has ever put together, with about 160 musicians, including members of the Key Chorale chorus and soloists.

Most of the orchestra’s performances were sold out this season. “We’re expanding to be one of the premiere part-time regional orchestras. That is not happening anywhere else.”

Here’s a look at what’s coming in the new season:

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*Tickets
Concerts are at the Venice Performing Arts Center, 1 Indian Ave., Venice. For subscriptions and single ticket information: 941-207-8822; https://thevenicesymphony.org

[wondermint2]

Another Elwood Park development effort stalls

Eastwind Development attorney asks for continuance to consider more revisions to the villa project.

For full article & graphic:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...r-development/

Despite Manatee County's development boom closing in around the Elwood Park neighborhood, which was established in 1915, residents have successfully fought to preserve their unique pocket of agriculture and housing mix — so far.

In 2022, Elwood Park residents banned together against Jordan Creek, a proposal for 56 villas on 19 acres that were never built. In 2023, the community celebrated another win after a project for 202 townhomes on 22.9 acres was voted down by the Board of County Commissioners.

Residents have gathered again to oppose a reworked version of the townhome project, which now has turned into the Villas at Elwood Park. The site is located at the northeast corner of 44th Avenue E. and 45th Street E.

On April 11, the planning commission approved the revision 4-2. However, at the April 18 land use meeting, the project didn’t make it to a vote. Scott Rudacille, the attorney representing applicant Eastwind Development LLC, asked for a continuance.

“(Residents) stated their position very well. We, of course, understand it,” Rudacille said. “After hearing the additional comments today, we would like an additional opportunity to go back and look at this plan one more time.”

The continuance was unanimously approved, but no date was set as for when a revision would come back to the board.

From townhomes to villas, high density was the biggest issue all three projects faced.

“One of the problems with this particular development is that it’s going 1,000 feet into Elwood Park,” resident John Rachide said. ”That kind of density is not compatible at all.”

Elwood Park’s density is 1.05 per acre, and Eastwind was proposing 8.5 units per acre. The future land use allows for the transition up to three units per acre.

Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge told residents that if the same density is brought back, he will vote against the project.

While the plans were modified, the residential density remained the same. The major difference was that the original plans included 20,000 square feet of commercial space that was removed during revisions.

Developers also upped the amount of affordable housing included in the project from 10% to 25%, which qualifies it for Livable Manatee incentives. The county program offers a higher density than what’s normally allowed within the zoning if a developer includes affordable housing units.

“That’s only being done for incentives,” resident Ryan MacLachlan said. “Is it really affordable? Because nothing these days is.”

Commission George Kruse said he’s a proponent of affordable housing projects, but wasn’t going to change his mind that the project shouldn’t exceed more than three dwelling units per acre.

Rachide said residents of Elwood Park would happily agree to three dwelling units per acre.