Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Top 10 concerts this week in Sarasota, Bradenton, Palmetto, Englewood, Punta Gorda

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/punta-gord...od-punta-gorda

March and its lengthy lineup of local events, including plenty of concerts, kicks off this week. A Rock & Roll Hall of Fame-inducted vocal duo still featuring one of its original singers will be among the performers visiting our area, along with multiple Blues Music Award and Latin Grammy-nominated musicians.

Some of those BMA-nominated performers will be playing two separate Sarasota County music festivals this weekend, both spanning three days and featuring free admission. And a concert series featuring up-and-coming artists is set to make its return, headlined this month by a comedic musical group whose fans include Jack Black and his band Tenacious D. Here are this week's highlights. Event details are subject to change.

[wondermint2]

‘Bed tax’ revenue generated by Airbnb hosts in county adds up to more than $22 million since May 2017, chief deputy tax collector reports

Condominiums continue to make up largest number of county accommodations for visitors, Tourist Development Council learns

For full article:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/bed-t...ector-reports/

Sarasota County Tourist Development Tax — or, “bed tax” — revenue from Airbnb hosts has totaled more than $22 million since the online rental platform began remitting funds to the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office in 2017, Sherri Smith, the chief deputy tax collector, has reported to the Sarasota County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

The first payments from Airbnb to the Tax Collector’s Office added up to $310,000, Smith noted during her Feb. 8 presentation. They covered the period just from May 2017 through the end of that fiscal year, which was Sept. 30, 2017.

Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates had worked with the Office of the County Attorney to get an agreement signed with Airbnb for those collections from its hosts’ accommodations countywide. Then the County Commission approved the document.

In the first full fiscal year after the agreement went into effect — 2018 — Smith said the Airbnb total was $1.1 million. By the 2021 fiscal year, that had jumped to $3.9 million. In the 2023 fiscal year, she pointed out, the figure was $6,976,986.88.

[wondermint2]

It’s All About the People! Meet Locals Shaping Our City & Caring for Our Community

We asked our loyal e-readers and local non-profit leaders to nominate a person or persons who they believe are community champions. The nominations are heartfelt and heartwarming, and we are honored and delighted to share their stories.

For full article:

https://scenesarasota.com/magazine/i...our-community/

[wondermint2]

Southwest Florida venture capital initiative to help ag

For full article:

https://vegetablegrowersnews.com/new...ve-to-help-ag/

A venture capital initiative launched in southwest Florida plans to focus on agricultural and AgTech investments.

In a move heralded as a first of its kind, “Cap Table Nation” is a group of a dozen tools engineered to interest investors and their money.

Cap Table NationDesigned by Gingras Global, Cap Table Nation’s infrastructure is set to etch its mark on local investment history, devoted to fostering growth and community development, according to a news release.

The effort signifies a commitment to investing in the region, sparking positive change across Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry, Glades, and Sarasota Counties. Cap Table Nation is designed impact diverse industries, including agriculture, water quality, tourism and skilled trade, according to the release.

Cap Table Nation’s infrastructure will house the first two groundbreaking venture capital funds, marking a significant milestone in the region’s economic landscape.

The Florida Growth Opportunity Fund, Southwest, is strategically focused on creating and nurturing companies in pre-seed, seed, or early stages of development. Engage Florida Ventures, Southwest, is geared towards supporting companies at all stages, including mature companies, fostering their growth to a scale that ensures a long-term presence in the region. The capital raise for these two funds will start in late February.

[wondermint2]

The Community Foundation of Sarasota County’s Giving Challenge 2024: A Deep Dive into Impact and Innovation

THE MAGIC BEHIND A 24-HOUR PHILANTHROPIC MARATHON

For full article:

https://scenesarasota.com/magazine/t...nd-innovation/

As the calendar approaches April 9-10, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County is gearing up for its biennial Giving Challenge—a 24-hour online fundraising marathon with a unique twist. Each donation made during this period is generously matched up to $100 by the Patterson Foundation, elevating the impact of every contribution from givers of all ages and means.

Community Foundation Manager of Nonprofit Services, Aude Monde, succinctly defines the Giving Challenge as a “24-hour community-wide giving day.” Over 700 local nonprofits join forces to raise funds for their unique missions while collectively energizing our area around charitable giving and the importance of the nonprofit community in our daily lives.

In 2022, the community raised an impressive $16.1 million from 45,000 donors across Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte, and Desoto counties.Since 2012, througheight challenges, the Giving Challenge has raised more than $75 million in unrestricted funding to support nonprofit organizations.

Monde peels back the curtain, revealing that the success of the Giving Challenge is rooted in meticulous planning. An 18-month preparation process involves thoughtful training and planning guidance to assist nonprofits make the most of this opportunity.

[wondermint2]

MCSO Master Intelligence Analyst uncovers gun trafficking scheme

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/02/2...icking-scheme/

As a Master Intelligence Analyst, Ashley Wells is responsible for reviewing data regarding multiple gun purchases from shops in Manatee County.

Typically, inquiries of this nature must be vetted for pending felony-related cases that would prevent a person from owning a firearm and may have otherwise not been discovered during a background check.

Through the course of several months, Wells noticed several inquiries involving the same name and address, weekly. Even though the buyer had no open cases, she identified this as suspicious, given the large number of firearms being purchased.

She notified the ATF and a case was opened. Wells continued to assist ATF in the investigation.

The subjects were interviewed and admitted to purchasing and sending the firearms to the Caribbean and voluntarily surrendered their unshipped inventory of firearms to ATF.

Wells’ diligence identified a pattern of suspicious activity that led to the exposure of a gun trafficking scheme. For her efforts, Ashley Wells has been named MCSO’s Employee of the Month for February 2024.

[wondermint2]

Judge orders demolition of treehouse

For full article & photo:

https://www.amisun.com/2024/03/01/ju...-of-treehouse/

HOLMES BEACH – The battle over the fate of the treehouse is finished with 12th Judicial Circuit Court Judge Edward Nicholas dealing the final blow in court.

In the final hearing of the last court case in Manatee County, Nicholas ruled in favor of the city’s request for a court order to have the treehouse removed from its Australian pine perch on the beach in front of Angelinos Sea Lodge. While he said that owners Richard Hazen and Lynn Tran could appeal his decision to the Second District Court of Appeal, the only way to stop the demolition of the treehouse is an order staying the removal order.

In speaking with The Sun on Feb. 29, Tran said she’d already submitted the engineering plans for the treehouse to the city for evaluation and requested applications for demolition permits.

“It will be a very sad day taking it down,” Tran said.

During the Feb. 28 hearing, Nicholas sanctioned Tran and Hazen for filing a third amended complaint in the case, calling the move a stall tactic to prevent the case from moving forward.

Representing the city during the most recent hearings was attorney Randy Mora.

“It’s not about what the city wants but about legal requirements,” he said. “It’s time to resolve this. All litigation must come to an end. This is that end.”

For the treehouse to be permitted as a recreational structure, it would require site plan approval, permits and to be properly set back from the erosion control line, none of which Mora said was possible given the circumstances.

“The treehouse is located within 30 feet of the erosion control line,” he said, noting that wasn’t the city’s only issue with the structure. “That structure still stands because the owners refuse to comply with enforcement. There is no version of the treehouse that will be allowed. No plans are or were approved. The city seeks an end to these proceedings here today. We are here because the city is without any other recourse.”

[wondermint2]

More SWFL condos going up for sale as fees pile up


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enPmIx27Qe8

----------------------------------------------------------------

*Another recent video about this (including interview with Venice condo owner):

Homeowners insurance and HOA fees offset falling condo prices in Florida, study says

For video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phFtG1l1Qig

While condo prices in Florida have been dropping in some parts of Florida, there hasn't been a mass influx of home buyers to those properties as homeowners insurance and increasing HOA fees are still keeping those wanting to buy away, according to new numbers from Redfin.

The Redfin study found the median sale price in the Tampa metro area for condos dropped 1% year-over-year, but sales fell 4.1% in the same time frame, and new listings jumped 27.3%. It was the same story in nearly every city Redfin looked at in the analysis.

[wondermint2]

Teen girls suspected of stealing alcohol worth thousands in FL (including North Port)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=io60Jpt6iSc

[wondermint2]

Car parts shortage leaves drivers stranded


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRL6y-Lfpuw