Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

More students come forward with molestation claims

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...station-claims

Former ESOL paraprofessional Angel Rodriguez Mercado is now facing four felony charges for allegedly molesting students at Abel Elementary School in Manatee County.

According to court filings, Rodriguez Mercado threatened a student who said she was going to tell a teacher after he inappropriately touched her.

The paperwork says his response was, “If you tell the teacher, it’s gonna get worse for you.”

Michelle McSwain from the Child Protection Center gave advice on what parents should tell their kids in these circumstances.

[wondermint2]

Cops Corner - Rowdy teen leaves cellphone in ride-hailing after turbulent trip

The driver ordered disruptive teen riders out of the vehicle on the Ringling Bridge. This and other tales from the files of the SPD in this week's Cops Corner.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...urbulent-trip/

[wondermint2]

Suspected Impersonator Arrested in Georgia for Sarasota County Fraud Spree

For full article:

https://hoodline.com/2024/02/suspect...?utm=newsbreak

A fugitive wanted for impersonating a cop and fleecing folks in Florida has been snagged by deputies in Georgia, officials said.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office reported that Marlita Andrews, the accused con artist, was nabbed following a traffic stop gone south on Spring Street in Macon.

They had her under the lens after catching wind that she was a wanted woman out of Sarasota County, Florida, for some heavy-duty charges including grand theft north of $10,000, money laundering, and pulling off an organized scam, WSB-TV reported.

Deputies claim Andrews played the part of a law enforcer to a tee, convincing unwary citizens they’d be slapped in cuffs unless they coughed up cash for non-existent fines.

The scam, as alleged by the BCSO, preyed upon people’s innate fear of the long arm of the law, painting a false picture that led them straight into her trap.

Details on how Andrews was eventually caught are scarce, but it’s clear that Georgia's law enforcement wasn't fooled by her act.

Sarasota County authorities have been on her tail, and, as luck, would have it they’ve now got their gal according to a report by Delaunay Media.

[wondermint2]

Florida drivers pay more for car insurance than anyone in the U.S.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxdk9CdMEkA

[wondermint2]

What are Florida lawmakers doing to lower your property insurance rates? WINK investigative reporter


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAuqp6KPyT8

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Dozens of dairy products sold in Florida linked to listeria outbreak

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/nut...a81828dc&ei=47

Dozens of dairy products that were sold nationwide have been recalled after an investigation linked the products to a multistate listeria outbreak.

The recalled products were manufactured by Rizo-López Foods Inc. and include cheese, yogurt and sour cream sold under the brand names Tio Francisco, Don Francisco, Rizo Bros, Rio Grande, Food City, El Huache, La Ordena, San Carlos, Campesino, Santa Maria, Dos Ranchitos, Casa Cardenas, and 365 Whole Foods Market, according to a food safety alert from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Trader Joe’s recalls products potentially contaminated with Listeria

For full article & photos:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...3de51ce0&ei=17

Trader Joe’s announced Wednesday the recall of four products that could potentially be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The following products are made with cotija cheese, which may contain the bacteria.

- Chicken Enchiladas Verde (SKU 58292)
- Cilantro Salad Dressing (SKU 36420)
- Elote Chopped Salad Kit (SKU 74768)
- Southwest Salad (SKU 56077)

The products are pictured above. Trader Joe’s asks that customers with these products throw them away or return them to any of its locations for a full refund.

[wondermint2]

County rules private school's modular buildings violate code as legal battle persists

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...a1f28dc2&ei=25

Residents along Bee Ridge Road gained a victory in their ongoing case against the construction of a school seeking to enroll 1,300 students.

A Sarasota County Special Magistrate found The Classical Academy, a private K-12 school, in violation of the county code for the modular classrooms on its new campus at 8000 Bee Ridge Road. The school has until March 11 to either remove the buildings or secure the necessary permits to keep them on campus, and it will receive a $250 fine for each day it doesn’t comply past the deadline.

[wondermint2]

New event space, The Ora, opens soon at Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee campus

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...a1f28dc2&ei=47

A new event space, The Ora, is opening on the campus of the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee and will soon offer a state-of-the-art luxury venue for Sarasota’s many special events and celebrations.

Featuring a 10,000-square-foot ballroom, The Ora is among the largest event spaces in the region. It was envisioned by the organization’s board of directors, who felt the region lacked a versatile and luxurious space.

The new facility at 578 McIntosh Road offers guests and event attendees multiple spaces that combined cover 30,000 square feet.

The Ora includes top-of-the-line lighting, audio and visual equipment, and custom imported stone. It also has more than 400 parking spaces. It's a major marketing point — The Ora can comfortably host gatherings of up to 1,000 people.

[wondermint2]

United Way Suncoast to hold events offering free tax preparation for some residents

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/taxe...9e9b7f3e&ei=28

Heading into a new tax season, United Way Suncoast is back again this year with its annual Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Initiative, or VITA, to make sure millions of working families get the credits they earned and deserve.

Households with annual earnings of $79,000 and below can receive free tax preparation services online or in person at two area Tax-A-Thon event

The first one is Saturday, Feb. 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties, at 3100 Fruitville Road in Sarasota.

Then on Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., United Way Suncoast will hold the DeSoto Tax Action Day at the All Faiths Food Bank Resource Center at 1021 E. Oak St. in Arcadia.

At both events, United Way’s IRS-trained VITA volunteers will be on hand to help residents with their tax preparation and also to provide additional information about other financial stability services.
s.

Last year, United Way Suncoast and its partners brought back $13.8 million in refunds, tax credits and savings on preparation fees for its five-county service area – including $1.5 million for Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

For those residents with straightforward returns and who feel comfortable doing it themselves, there is a self-prep option. For more information, visit uwsvita.org or call 833-897-8482.

[wondermint2]

Downtown Sarasota's Hotel Indigo rebranded by IHG Hotels & Resorts

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...c8a60285&ei=28

Sarasota's Hotel Indigo — a 95-room hotel that opened in 2006 — has been rebranded to voco Sarasota.

The branding change occurred late last year without major fanfare or corporate announcement.

Property records show Florida Certified Sign Erectors were contracted for building signage in May 2023, with the work completed in December at 1223 Boulevard of the Arts.

The hotel operator, IHG Hotels & Resorts, announced several European hotel properties had been rebranded to the voco properties in October last year.