Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Steube Wants Mobile Home Parks Eligible for FEMA Support

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...r-FEMA-Support

The Federal Emergency Management Agency provides reimbursement and support to individual homeowners for debris removal after storms. But U.S. Rep. Greg Steube, R-Sarasota, said after Hurricane Ian struck South Sarasota County, it took a special waiver to allow private mobile home parks and homeowner associations to receive the same support.

The congressman on Friday filed legislation in the House to formalize a process and allow private communities to receive FEMA assistance. The Clean Up Disasters and Emergencies with Better Recovery and Immediate Support (Clean Up DEBRIS) Act would make any common interest community, including housing co-ops, mobile home parks and condo buildings, to receive the same kind of reimbursement as other homeowners.

“My legislation, the Clean Up DEBRIS Act, will ensure FEMA provides debris removal assistance to privately owned communities in the aftermath of all major disasters without the need for waivers or special approval," he said. "This bill will provide a swift correction to a long, burdensome, government process that communities shouldn’t be forced to navigate during storm recovery.”

[wondermint2]

If You Think This Water Bill Increase is Bad ...

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...e-is-bad,59538

Most Manatee County residents aren't happy about a 9.75 percent increase (over two years) in their water and sewage utility rates that is owed to a combination of increased demand caused by development (about two percent annually) and years of deferring reinvestments on infrastructure. However, if county commissioners continue to allow developers to decide our growth strategies, that will just be the tip of the iceberg.

During a recent town hall held by Commissioner George Kruse, a citizen called the increase ridiculous. Kruse responded that while the current increase was unavoidable, residents could face much larger increases in the not-too-distant future if steps to avoid them are not taken.

"We've got (water) capacity right now—including some of the new builds, Buffalo Creek, and whatnot—to get us to 2037. After that, we're gonna have to buy our water from Peace River Water Authority."

"If you think nine and a half percent increase in water (bills) now is bad, wait until we tell you you're buying water from Peace River because we don't even have the adequate pipes to get it here from Peace River. So, we, Manatee County, have the sole responsibility of building those pipes. We, Manatee County, have the sole responsibility of building the reservoirs to create the capacity of Peace River to hold the water for us, and, we, Manatee County, have to buy water from Peace River whose rates are twice what ours are.

So, that's when your water rates are going to go up unless we create our own capacity here, which we have the ability to do if we're collecting enough money to increase our supply and our capacity here in Manatee County to avoid Peace River as long as humanly possible."

[wondermint2]

Long-overdue Sawgrass rezoning moves forward

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...-moves-forward

A rezoning matter that Venice city staff considered a “housekeeping” matter ended up consuming the first post-lunch hour of Tuesday’s City Council meeting.

It was an unusual rezoning to begin with — all 316 acres of the Sawgrass subdivision along North Auburn Road. All but four lots in the community are developed, Venice Planning Manager Amy Nelson said.

But all the development took place under a county zoning designation because the acreage was never rezoned after it was annexed about 30 years ago. The city code required rezoning within a year but it never happened, and it’s not clear why, Nelson said.

[wondermint2]

DeSoto Square Mall: The Bradenton, FL Mall That Time Forgot

For the full article along with some interesting pictures & videos:

https://bestattractions.org/usa/flor...-bradenton-fl/

In 1973, people sought exciting places to spend their hard-earned money. That’s when DeSoto Square Mall burst onto the scene in Bradenton, FL, thanks to the ingenuity of the Edward J. DeBartolo Corporation.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrests 17 in human trafficking crackdown, including massage parlor owners.

For full article:

https://coalition4america.com/2023/1...ssage-parlors/

In a recent crackdown on human trafficking and illegal sex work, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office arrested 17 individuals and targeted massage parlors involved in these illicit activities. This operation, aimed at addressing human trafficking concerns, included actions against alleged sex workers and men seeking sexual encounters with minors.

Undercover agents from the sheriff’s office placed online ads offering sex with minors, stating the girls’ ages as under 15 years old. Shockingly, nearly 200 people responded to these ads. In-person arrangements were made with six men who were subsequently arrested after they exchanged money for sexual services, constituting felony charges of engaging in human trafficking labor and traveling to meet a minor. The arrested individuals included Jerome Jeffson, Marckendy Dariste, Edward Aji, Juan Ojeda, Miguel De La Cruz, and Andrew Lang.

Additionally, the investigation extended to massage parlors in the area. Owners and employees of these establishments were charged with “deriving support from the proceeds of prostitution.” The targeted massage parlors included Royal Relaxation, Latin Relaxation, and VIP Sauna. The sheriff’s office also cited VIP Sauna for “numerous business violations” as per Manatee County Code Enforcement.

Ten alleged female sex workers were arrested during the operation, with their ages undisclosed. Furthermore, the sheriff’s office identified one human trafficking victim and is actively seeking information on other potential victims.

Efforts are underway to permanently shut down these businesses, with one operation already terminated.

[wondermint2]

Mosaic claims this is not a problem for the environment - but isn't that what is expected for them to say. It's not like they're unbiased. I'd like to see an independent analysis before I take anything as gospel.

The Mosaic Co. reports possible issues with liner at troubled Mulberry gypstack facility

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/th...b45abeb7&ei=47

The Mosaic Co. has reported a possible tear in the liner of the troubled New Wales phosphogypsum stack at its Mulberry facility east of Tampa, the same location of a sink hole in 2016, although findings have yet to be confirmed.

The fertilizer production company mines, produces and distributes phosphate products across the globe, and much of it is mined and produced in Florida. Most of that mining takes place where Manatee, Hillsborough, Hardee and Polk counties meet – a place calledBone Valley,where Mosaic makes its home.

[wondermint2]

A new free-standing emergency department is coming to Palmetto. Here's what to know

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/a-...f80d2595&ei=42

Florida Blake Hospital plans to build a free-standing emergency department in Palmetto and Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant couldn't be happier.

"I do feel like we need more medical offices. Palmetto is an under-served community," Bryant said.

A ceremonial groundbreaking for the 10,800-square-foot facility is set for Tuesday at 902 10th St. E., Palmetto.

The ER is planned for a vacant 3.6-acre commercial parcel to the east of the Walmart Supercenter. The site was formerly home to Vickers Trucking, owned and operated for many years by Bill and Rose Vickers.

Asked for a proposed completion date, Frank Giammaria, director of communications & community engagement for HCA Florida Blake Hospital, estimated the summer of 2024.

[wondermint2]

Residents offer input on Cortez Road study

For full article:

https://www.amisun.com/2023/10/30/re...ez-road-study/

The Oct. 18 workshop at American Legion Post #24 in west Bradenton drew about 50 community members, FDOT personnel and staffers from the Renaissance Planning consulting firm conducting the workshop.

The Cortez Road corridor extends from 121st Street Court West in Cortez to U.S. 301 in Bradenton/West Samoset. The corridor project is a partnership between FDOT, Manatee County and the Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization, with Renaissance Planning gathering input from the public and other stakeholders.

The primary goal is to identify ways to make the Cortez Road corridor safer for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and others. The study and resulting action plan also will address the connection between the roadway and the development occurring along the corridor. In the coming years, more than 8,500 new homes and residential units are expected to be constructed near Cortez and Anna Maria Island.

[wondermint2]

Survey to begin of Historic Gulf View Section of Venice

For full article:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/10/3...outputType=amp

The City of Venice has announced that it has hired Chronicle Heritage to conduct a historic structures survey of the Gulf View Section of Venice.

Beginning this week, field workers will be canvassing the streets, documenting and photographing buildings constructed prior to 1960 as part of their field work. This includes areas of downtown and parts northwest of downtown.

The City is required to regularly survey areas in Venice that may hold historically significant structures. It has been almost 40 years since the City has had any professional survey work performed. Chronicle Heritage, with offices in Tampa, will be in Venice over the next couple of weeks to conduct field work on the Gulf View Section.

[wondermint2]

Lane closures coming to John Ringling Causeway

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ling-causeway/

Construction has begun on the John Ringling Causeway, which will result in overnight single lane closures in both directions. The Florida Department of Transportation project spans the length of the bridge.

The project is regular rehabilitation work to strengthen the bridge structure and mitigate the effects of the aggressive coastal environment and severe weather. Work will extend the bridge's service life and improve its operational reliability.

To minimize impact on traffic, the normal two lanes and posted speed limit will be maintained during the day with lane closures predominantly between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. Daytime lane closures, however, may occur. The transit and bike lane will be closed for the duration of the project to maintain two lanes of traffic.

Marine traffic should remain unaffected, although barges will be in the water to allow crews to work beneath the bridge. Alternating pedestrian detours will be needed when deck sealing is performed.

Completion of the $1.8 million project is expected during the winter.