Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Construction on I-75, US 301 interchange to ease traffic in Manatee County (Video & photos)

For full article, video & photos:

https://www.fox13news.com/news/manat...nterchange.amp

ELLENTON, Fla. - From the waterfront seats at Woody’s River Roo, diners can judge the traffic from where they sit.

"Getting on and off the ramps can get pretty congested," said Robert Halsted.

That's what many experience during rush hours, including Woody’s General Manager Robert Halsted.

"It definitely puts you behind quite a bit," he said.

But ongoing construction is working to reduce those frustrations.

"We see it; we experience it," Alex Ruiz said. "We are also residents in the area so we get into the traffic jams just as anybody else."

Alex Ruiz is a senior construction project manager for the Florida Department of Transportation.

He gave FOX 13 a look at the $155 million project that widens I-75 and includes two bridges that will help move traffic from U.S. 301 in Ellenton.

"What we are looking for is getting the traffic from 301 onto their own lanes outside of the I-75 lanes," he said.

The construction will create an eight-lane divided roadway. Once complete, southbound drivers will have their own lane from U.S. 301 onto I-75.

[wondermint2]

Top nature photos from around Sarasota, Longboat Key, East County in 2023-24 (Photo Gallery)

Readers from across the region submit their photos to the Observer's 2023-24 Weather and Nature Photo Contest.

For Photo Gallery:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ty-in-2023-24/

[wondermint2]

Flooding concerns rise amid intensifying impacts of rainstorms

Longboat Key residents and town officials say flood mitigation projects should be at the forefront as flooding issues grow.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ts-rainstorms/

Longboat Key residents are familiar with flooding during severe weather. But recently, residents and officials have taken notice of the growing intensity of flooding during less intense, unnamed storms.

Public comment at the Jan. 8 Town Commission meeting included residents Rusty Chinnis and Jim Whitman speaking about how they and their neighbors are growing concerned with the flooding happening during minor rainfall events.

Chinnis pointed to a recent rainstorm that drenched the Key for just an hour but left much of the Village flooded.

He said the flooding in lower areas of the island is a growing threat.

“I’ve lived in the village now in my house for almost 40 years,” Chinnis said. “My garage has been flooded four times. Two of those were in the last three months.”

Commissioner-at-Large BJ Bishop shared similar opinions and anecdotes, saying she went from 10 years of no water in the house to three water intrusions in five months.

Whitman said he believes this issue should be raised to a higher priority for the commission.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota man exonerated after 35-year wrongful imprisonment, receives grant

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/01/1...outputType=amp

Sidney Holmes is a free man after more than half his life was spent wrongfully behind bars.

Holmes was arrested in 1988 for a Broward County armed robbery, which he played no part in.

He now works as a line cook at Encompass Health Rehabilitation Clinic in Sarasota, a role similar to the food service he provided while incarcerated.

For his attitude, positivity, and humility, his co-workers and superiors helped him apply for a grant to become a Certified Dietary Manager, Certified Food Protection Professional. On Wednesday, the 57-year-old was awarded the grant, and celebrated while working the line with his colleagues.

“Being angry would just destroy myself. I have to thank God for giving me my freedom,” said Holmes.

[wondermint2]

Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 25-29 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch

For full list:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...5-29-sarasota/

A condominium in Block 6 tops all transactions in this week’s real estate. James and Susan Ogle, trustees, of Sarasota, sold the Unit 1005 condominium at 401 Quay Commons to John and Pauline Groetelaars, of Sarasota, for $7 million. Built in 2021, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 3,647 square feet of living area. It sold for $3,480,100 in 2021.

[wondermint2]

20 years in, Bob's Train owner journeys to restore Ringling's rail car

Bob Horne, owner of Bob's Train, hopes to see the yearslong project completed, even if it means continuing to perform much of the work himself.

For full article & photos:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ling-rail-car/

When Bob Horne purchased John and Mable Ringling’s private railroad car for $1 to save it from becoming scrap metal, he expected that many people would climb on board to help restore it.

Twenty years later, the project still has a long way to go.

The goal is a museum that re-creates, with as much historical accuracy as possible, the living quarters the Ringlings occupied as they traveled across the country.

The reality, at the moment, involves upholstery to fix, walls to coat, floors to even out and much more. But Horne isn’t deterred.

The 81-year-old said there’s nothing in his life that he hasn’t been enthusiastic about.

Every Saturday, save for unusual circumstances, you’ll find him at work inside the rail car that sits on a train track off Fruitville Road, adjoining the three restored Ringling train cars that make up his restaurant and circus museum, Bob’s Train.

He said the project will continue until he’s 108, and even after he’s gone, through a nonprofit he plans to establish.

And yes, he’s confident that he will live to be 108. He said longevity has everything to do with staying active, something it appears Horne has never ceased to do.

[wondermint2]

What is kratom and why did Sarasota County ban it 10 years ago? Here are 5 things to know.

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wh...ow/ar-AA1mNoCt

Sarasota was the first and – as of yet – only county in Florida that has banned the usage and selling of kratom, a Southeast Asian tea leaf used for its stimulating effects.

While kratom has had a long history of use in Southeast Asia, the use of kratom has become increasingly popular in recent years. It's estimated that 11 to 15 million Americans consume kratom regularly.

In 2014, the Sarasota County Commission unanimously banned kratom as a "designer drug." In June 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed HB179, the Florida Kratom Consumer Protection Act. It prohibits the selling or giving of kratom to people under the age of 21.

What is kratom?

Kratom is a tropical tree that’s native to Southeast Asia. Consumption of its leaves produce stimulating effects in low doses and sedative effects in high doses, according to the DEA. It contains two major psychoactive ingredients, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymytragynine.

[wondermint2]

Popular Sarasota, Bradenton waterfront restaurant now open after being closed for months

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/bradenton-...sed-for-months

One of the best waterfront restaurants in Sarasota and Bradenton has reopened after being closed for the past five months.

Cortez Kitchen, nestled along the north Sarasota Bay in the historic commercial fishing village of Cortez, closed following the retirement of proprietor Joe Oelker. A cherished Old Florida landmark in west Manatee County, Cortez Kitchen has been a destination for fresh seafood, strong cocktails, and live music for over two decades.

[wondermint2]

ArtCenter Manatee on track to have new building completed by end of this year

The new building will more than double the 10,000 square feet of the current space. It will be named for Steve and Natalee Herrig, who donated $2 million for the project from their family foundation.

For full article:

https://www.wusf.org/arts-culture/20...ed-end-of-year

ArtCenter Manatee will be housed in a new building named the Herrig Center for the Arts.

It will be on the same street in Bradenton with the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature and the Manatee Performing Arts Center.

And Third Avenue West will get a new name: Avenue of the Arts.

ArtCenter Manatee Executive Director Carla Nierman said this new building has been a long time coming and the need is clear.

Manatee County is among the fastest growing counties in the state. According to the U.S. Census, it grew by nearly 30% between 2012 and 2022.

"So a donor said to me once when I was talking to them about investing in the program, and I couldn't have said it any better. 'She said, so it's not if you build it, they will come, it's you better build it. They're coming.' Because definitely, we're seeing more and more demand. We're very excited to see new people coming in that, because once you get into it, it's just, it's almost addictive, because it's so much fun," Nierman said.

The ArtCenter was established in 1937 and offers after-school classes, and courses in drawing, pottery, glass, and more. In fact, Nierman said the Herrigs got involved because Natalee Herrig's mother was a potter for much of her life.

It also offers an Arts & Healing Program for individuals with mild to moderate dementia or memory loss. Participants must be screened for admittance, but the program is free because it is sponsored.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

140 miles of new trails planned for Manatee County

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...anatee-county/

The road to accumulating $130 million to build a countywide trail system will be less rocky after the last Manatee County Commission meeting.

The board voted unanimously on Dec. 13 to approve the Trailways Master Plan, which will eventually provide 140 miles of new trails for pedestrians and cyclists in Manatee County.

“The money’s available. We just don’t have a firm plan to put in front of them to get it,” Commissioner George Kruse said before the vote.

Traffic Management Deputy Director Clarke Davis said the county’s master plan hadn’t been updated in over 20 years.

In comparison, Sarasota County, where the Legacy Trail continues to expand, adopted its original master plan in 2006 and updated it in 2018.

Having an updated plan will make it easier to secure funding. Sources of possible funding include grants, a federal loan program and federal apportionments administered through the Florida Department of Transportation and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection that fund trailways for pedestrians and cyclists.

Manatee County Funds Trail System

For full article:

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

MANATEE COUNTY, FL (January 10, 2024) – The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved $2.1 million to be added to the design and construction budget for segments of Manatee County’s Gateway Greenway Multipurpose Trail system during their January 9 meeting. This trail system is a vital component of the multi-county, non-motorized Gulf Coast Trail, stretching from Hernando County to Collier County.

"Manatee County has done a great job building miles of trails within our parks and preserves for a more enjoyable and safer trail experience," said Manatee County At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden. “I’m pleased to support this strong start toward the implementation of a trail system that connects parks and preserves throughout Manatee County and the region."

This approval serves as a significant reference point for Manatee County's endeavors in applying for grants dedicated to trail planning, design and construction. It will facilitate the progression of construction for Manatee County segments of the trail system which will then link to adjacent counties.

“This trail plan codifies over 25 years of in-house planning efforts which coalesce around a professional product that meets the needs of all Manatee County Trail advocates,” said Natural Resources Director Charlie Hunsicker.