Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Service dogs in training take to the sea

A group of dogs took to a Palmetto boat dock Wednesday, but not for a typical day in the sun.


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

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

‘Should’ve never sold’: Hot real estate market fuels lawsuits against developer

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...df9448a6&ei=50

A Tampa area developer is now at odds with the contractor he hired to build several homes and some of his investors also filed a civil lawsuit against him and his company.

Contractor Todd Britton-Harr said he had an agreement to build seven homes in Tampa for M.A.X. Investment Properties.

Tampa pastor accused of using racist, homophobic slurs at New Beginnings veterans shelter
Britton-Harr started construction on the properties, but he said at some point the payments from the developer stopped.

“I was told, I’m going to pay. I’m going to pay. I’m going to pay,” Britton-Harr said. “It’s coming from the finance company. And it just never did.”

Britton-Harr filed liens on the properties for the $631,000 he claimed he was owed.
That should’ve stopped the developer from selling any of the homes, but one sold anyway last April for $500,000.

“It should’ve never sold,” Britton-Harr said.

The new owner apparently did not know about the $102,000 lien Britton-Harr put on the property.

“Now their mortgage is in jeopardy because they bought a property that was supposed to be free and clear and now has a lien on the property,” Britton-Harr said. “That’s what the title company is supposed to do is do a title search to ensure for the new buyer that it’s free and clear.”

M.A.X. Investment Properties is owned by Cliff Parchmon, according to state records. Parchmon has not yet responded to our requests for comment.

The fact that one home sold even though there was lien on it, sent Britton-Harr to Tampa police. He said he told detectives the developer knew there was a lien but signed closing paperwork and sold the home anyway.

CONSTRUCTION CONTROVERSY


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

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Sarasota police charge pet groomer with animal abuse (Video)

For video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/03/1...-animal-abuse/

Sarasota Police have arrested the owner of a pet grooming business after they say employees told detectives she was abusing animal in her care.

Sarasota Police arrested Diana Stevens, 41, of North Fort Myers, on March 8 at her business at 1129 S. Tamiami Trail.

Detectives were initially investigating the franchise for financial crimes when they uncovered a pattern of animal abuse by Stevens, a news release said.

Police say store employees told detectives they not only witnessed Stevens abuse the animals as she groomed them, but on several instances, they had to intervene.

Customers also reported that their pets behaved abnormally after being picked up from the business, police say. Detectives obtained a search warrant for the store and collected video evidence of animal abuse.

Police say the video appears to support allegations that Stevens beat, berated and tossed animals as she groomed them.

Stevens faces five felony charges of aggravated animal abuse and five misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to email De. Jessica Sullivan at jessica.sullivan@sarasotaFL.gov or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers by calling 941-366-TIPS or online at Sarasota County Crime Stoppers.

Florida pet groomer arrested on animal cruelty charges

A dog groomer in Sarasota is accused of punching, shaking and throwing dogs and cats that were in her care.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HM9hlsz54V0

[wondermint2]

Homeowner sues insurer known for suing its own policyholders

Almost a year and a half after Hurricane Ian and insurance lawsuits are still making their way through the courts. One insurance company stands out for suing its own customers but one of its policyholders turned the tables.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOyX60nqw0I

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Downtown Sarasota boom: $780 million of construction projects in development

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...df9448a6&ei=29

Inside the nearly 15 square miles of usable real estate in the city of Sarasota, several construction cranes soar high above downtown, remaking the skyline with large new buildings.

The sites under construction — along with others planned for the near future — could add more year-round residents than at any other point in the last 40 years, inviting a population influx that could soon see 1,000 more people living in Sarasota's urban core.

The new development won't just add traffic and people to the city center.

It could pave the way for more rental housing, as two large projects in downtown will add more than 650 apartments.

While there have been several recent examples of successful luxury condo towers, the addition of 420 rental units in Aster & Links next to the downtown movie theater on Main Street, and another 240 in The Quay's Cordelia Apartments, could be the proof of concept that spurs even more such projects, depending on how quickly they fill with tenants.

Together, apartment projects account for more than half of the total new units in the construction boom reverberating in downtown Sarasota. A review of construction projects reveals a minimum of 1,900 residential units across more than a dozen projects, totaling an estimated construction cost of $786 million, according to active city building permit data.

What's being built in downtown Sarasota? (Photo Gallery)

For photo Gallery:

https://www.heraldtribune.com/pictur...s/72849013007/

[wondermint2]

Bradenton couple used Palmetto business funds to buy guns, SUV and more, deputies say

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/br...ay/ar-BB1jSzC0

A Bradenton husband and wife are accused of spending over $220,000 of a Palmetto air conditioning company's money to buy guns, fancy dinners and a luxury SUV, according to court documents.

The Manatee County Sheriff's Office arrested John and Melissa Mathis, 52, on Feb. 2 after detectives said the couple used company funds from Spartan Air Solutions to make personal purchases.

The couple worked as office managers at the business and had access to a company credit card and checking account, which they used for "unauthorized and fraudulent activity," according to investigators.

In total, detectives say John and Melissa Mathis "systematically and jointly defrauded Spartan Air" out of over $220,000 in 2023.

This "fraudulent activity" came in the form of several high-dollar purchases that Spartan Air Solutions owner, Levi Courtney, said John and Melissa were not authorized to make.

[wondermint2]

More improvements headed to historic Cortez fish preserve

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...cf687b80&ei=20

A historic fishing preserve in the village of Cortez is now getting even more upgrades to return it to its original glory.

Officials announced a $165,000 grant from the Charles and Marjorie Barancik Foundation to add walking paths and other enhancements to the 98-acre site. Florida Institute For Saltwater Heritage member Jane Von-Hahmann said the funds will only enhance the area off Cortez Road.

“We’re going to put in some trails and waterways to connect the bridges that you can actually get from the east to the west and just make it more accessible for the public,” Von-Hahmann said.

Last November, community members celebrated completion of phase four of the fish preservation project that spokespersons said has taken nearly 23 years to complete.

They added that planning and securing much of the $900,000 state and federal funds over the years has been the biggest challenge.

Officials said the goal is to create a place sustainable for fish to grow in a healthy environment, plus a beautiful retreat.

Additional landscaping, including more vegetation to attract more wildlife to the area are also in the works.

[wondermint2]

Spring break traffic and parking on the Suncoast

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...cf687b80&ei=32

Spring break, also known as peak season on Anna Maria Island, is upon us on the Suncoast.

The City of Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said close to 18,000 people will visit the City of Holmes Beach daily during peak season.

Despite that high number, she claims more than 100 parking spaces are still available for beach goers.

Residents say it’s a timing issue, and getting through miles of traffic is also about when -- not if.

One family visiting from Lithia said what many spring breakers must also agree with, “we love it here, so we make it work.”

[wondermint2]

Opinion - Sarasota County must fund the 211 helpline now - or pay a heavy price later

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/mark...cf687b80&ei=43

The recent headline that the 211 helpline will be discontinued in Sarasota County as of April 1 took many people by surprise. But in fact, it was hardly breaking news.

The 24-hour referral service, which last year helped connect thousands of local residents in need or crisis to appropriate services, was part of a a number of significant funding cuts to behavioral health and human services by the Board of Sarasota County Commissioners I reported on last fall.

Many of the nonprofits who did not receive funding after Commissioner Mike Moran rejected advisory council recommendations and instituted a revamped scoring process for grant applications, lobbied the board in hopes of reconsideration; a few – the Boys and Girls Club, the Safe Children’s Coalition and the Loveland Center among them – were successful in having funding restored last December. But United Way Suncoast, the lead organization in the public/private 211 partnership, was not included in the reversals.

If the service ends March 31, callers will be referred to the county’s 311 line, which is only available during business hours, has no access to the social service data base and does not have responders trained in crisis intervention. It would also likely overload the 911 emergency line with non-emergency calls and callers to the newer 988 hotline who have been “deescalated” after a mental health crisis would no longer receive a “warm” (direct and immediate) handoff to 211 for follow up services.

Attempts, in several ways over several days, to reach Moran for comment were not successful. But Commissioner Mark Smith, the only commissioner to vote against the cuts last fall, says 211 is a “vital” service that was unfairly impacted by the last minute change in funding evaluations – a change Smith feels should have been implemented with a new funding cycle, not after applications had already been filed and vetted.

“These organizations are all connected,” Smith said. “When we remove one link, we weaken the entire chain.”

Which is why Smith has added a reconsideration of 211 funding to the agenda for the upcoming board meeting on Tuesday, March 19. “I don’t know if it will do any good, but it’s the right thing to do,” Smith said. “This is the last chance before the money runs out.”

This is not the first time Moran, who is term limiting off the board in November and running for Sarasota Tax Collector against longtime incumbent Barbara Ford-Coates, has grandstanded the need to “protect taxpayers’ money.” But cutting 211 is as short-sighted and misguided as his previous efforts to curtail spending on mental health services and divert arts and culture funding to tourism.

[wondermint2]

Youth MOVE gives young people a chance to help each other

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/oth...cf687b80&ei=46

A local group led entirely by young adults is creating safe spaces and activities to help youth and young adults ages 10-29 cope with mental health issues.

Its mission is to bring together people in this age group who have experienced a mental health condition, or are friends or family of people who have, said Youth Move Suncoast President Kelly Boucher.

The group organizes activities, such as a recent beach clean-up. They also hold weekly virtual support group meetings for youth, young adults and families.

“Overall, we just want them in a community together supporting each other,” Boucher said.
The need is there, said Boucher, who added they see between 500-600 people a year.

“We’ve been getting a lot more referrals lately,” she noted. “I have about seven families that I see weekly and I’m getting a few more this week. But a lot of times, I’m talking about family navigation. Some of the parents just want resources.”

The staff and volunteers are not therapists. However, group leaders like Boucher are state-certified peer support specialists. They do not provide actual therapy or diagnose conditions. But they are trained to draw on personal experiences with mental health or recovery issues to offer peer-to-peer support.

Events coming up include:

- A Vision Board workshop March 20, 5-6:30 p.m. at the SEE Space, 615 S Orange Ave. in Sarasota
- A Youth Meet-Up and Pageant Advice, March 28, 6-7:30 p.m. and the NAMI office, 240B S. Tuttle Ave.
- Elevating Youth Voice, a workgroup (via Zoom) March 28, 5-6 p.m.

To learn more about Youth MOVE and its programs, visit:

https://namisarasotamanatee.org/supp...hmovesuncoast/.