Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 4-10

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...at-april-4-10/

[wondermint2]

US News ranks the best Places to live in Florida

For the full list:

https://www.clickorlando.com/feature...y-ranked-no-1/

U.S. News has released its 2023-2024 ranking of the best places to live in Florida, ranging from the panhandle to the southern edge.

According to U.S. News, the ranking examines factors like crime rates, education quality, affordable housing and weather — among many others — to determine which areas of the state are the most desirable.

Topping the list is Sarasota, thanks in part to its multitude of beaches and thriving arts scene.

“Downtown Sarasota’s bayfront is a popular spot to walk and admire the extensive view without spending a day on the sand,” U.S. News reports. “The region also has a number of tiki bars and seaside restaurants for those looking to kick back and enjoy the Old Florida lifestyle — O’Leary’s Tiki Bar and Grill and New Pass Grill and Bait Shop are local favorites.”

However, the list says that Sarasota’s cost of living didn’t help it, with average rental prices for apartments rivaling even nearby cities like St. Petersburg and Tampa.

Meanwhile, some Central Florida locations also managed to make the list. Melbourne ranked No. 3, Daytona Beach was No. 7, and the Orlando came in at No. 8.

The full ranking is as follows:

[wondermint2]

Giving Challenge nets nearly $500,000 before it starts

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ing-challenge/

The Frank G. Berlin Foundation, a component fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, has committed $100 to each of the 728 nonprofit organizations taking part in the 2024 Giving Challenge, a 24-hour online giving event from noon to noon, April 9-10.

The foundation takes its inspiration from Joe and Mary Kay Henson, who for the second year will give $100 each to all participating Giving Challenge nonprofits.

With the challenge match by the Patterson Foundation, the couple recognized the opportunity to double their dollars in the 2022 Giving Challenge. Their donation of $66,700 became $133,400, thanks to the Patterson Foundation, which matches all unique donations from $25 to $100.

With the Hensons and the Berlin Foundation, this year’s challenge match has already netted $436,800 before the Giving Challenge begins.

“The Giving Challenge shines a bright light on our vital nonprofit sector, which is key to our quality of life,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Roxie Jerde in a news release. “In addition to supporting the missions of each organization, the Giving Challenge is a way to affirm the value and importance of each person who works for or volunteers with our local nonprofits.”

The Community Foundation supports organizations with tips and training on successful campaigning and incentivizes best practices in fundraising throughout the months leading up to the big 24-hour event.

Since 2012, the Giving Challenge has raised $75 million in unrestricted funding to benefit more than 700 nonprofits serving Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

To donate, visit: https://GivingChallenge.org

[wondermint2]

Commissioners agree on largest reasonable Longboat Key library

An enhanced library would be nearly 10,000 square feet, part of which will need to be funded through private donors.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...gboat-library/

It was time to give Sarasota County some final direction on the public library project.

At the April 1 commission meeting, Town Manager Howard Tipton and staff asked commissioners to provide an agreed upon direction to give to the county as design concepts are finalized this month.

Support Services Director Carolyn Brown led the presentation on April 1. Brown has been the town’s lead on the project.

She recapped that at the March 18 meeting, Tipton mentioned the potential at the Whitney Plaza Community Center, which takes on some of the need for community space. Brown also summarized Sarasota County’s previous presentation about core library elements and the enhancement suggestions.

The core library space will be about 8,000 square feet and include a lobby, collections space, community meeting space, public computers and room for offices.

Proposed enhancements bring the building to about 9,700 square feet, adding more space to the community meeting space and an exterior deck.

Sarasota County will incur the cost of the core library construction, and the town will be responsible for raising funds for the enhancements through private donors. The county will be responsible for operating costs once the library is up and running.

[wondermint2]

$16 million donated to SMH Jellison Cancer Institute

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...cer-institute/

For full article:

A gift of $16 million has been received by Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation from Susan Milman to support the Brian D. Jellison Cancer Institute on Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Sarasota campus.

The facility, which will offer comprehensive outpatient cancer services, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in late 2025.

The gift will be used specifically to support planning, construction and operations of the new pavilion, which will house an expanded breast health center with the latest mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic and nuclear medicine technology.

Additional services will include outpatient surgery, advanced HDR brachytherapy, radiation oncology, infusion and diagnostic imaging, plus oncology physician practices and integrative care clinics.

[wondermint2]

Town embarks on planning phase with community organization input

Every year, the town of Longboat Key's budget and strategic planning phases begin with a workshop, where community organizations are given the chance to outline their goals.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-organization/

Plans for the upcoming budget cycle are off to a solid start.

Longboat Key town commissioners and staff began the planning process for the upcoming cycle with a special workshop on April 1. Large community groups were invited to present key goals and objectives before the commission.

“This is the first community that I’ve been a part of where you actually have this opportunity,” Town Manager Howard Tipton said. “It is one of the great things of Longboat Key, the connectedness between the residents and the commission.”

After this workshop, commissioners have a strategic planning retreat on April 15, which will further fuel the path to the fiscal year 2024-2025 budget.

“It's the beginning of a three-month intensive period here in the town where we listen to members of the public,” Mayor Ken Schneier said. “This is the first instance of that — hearing your ideas, the major groups in town, about what you’d like to see on our agenda for key items to address.”

Commissioners heard each community group’s concerns and comments and discussed what could be done to address some key issues. Among common concerns were traffic, flooding, infrastructure and community center space.

[wondermint2]

Top residential real estate sales for March 18-22 in Lakewood Ranch

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...akewood-ranch/

A home in University Park topped all transactions in this week’s real estate. Patrick Henry McEvoy and Renee Lynn McEvoy, of Holmes Beach, sold their home at 7302 Westminster Court to Linda and James Strickland, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, for $2 million. Built in 1998, it has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,193 square feet of living area. It sold for $1.8 million in 2023.

[wondermint2]

Bay Park Board divided over arts center architect contract funding

City and county commissioners clash over the release of TIF funds for the Sarasota Performing Arts Center architect contract.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...itect-funding/

Tax increment financing district funding for development of The Bay park continues to garner full support of Sarasota city and county governments. As for the would-be crowned jewel of the city-owned, 53-acre park, perhaps not so much.

During the March 29 meeting of the Bay Park Improvement Board, a panel that represents both the city and county commissions, members unanimously recommended approval from both bodies of the fiscal year 2025 deposit into the Bay Park Trust Fund from TIF revenues collected — the 50% public share of construction costs for Phase II of the project. Those deposits are estimated at $2.55 million each from the city and county.

A second request for the release of TIF funds for a contract between the city and the architecture firm selected to design the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center, which is included in the interlocal agreement for funding of The Bay project, highlighted a stark contrast between the city and the county.

[wondermint2]

Letters to the Editor - Spring Breakers Gone Wild: Siesta Key Beach pays the price for obnoxious party animals

For full column:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sp...ls/ar-BB1l0bN5

Party animals left beach in shambles

Beach trash collecting on April 2 was atrocious! Our beautiful Siesta Key Beach looked like a dump pit, with many alcohol containers spread all around the access mat and throughout the beach.

I collected a huge bag of trash just from the parking lot, which should have been an indication for what was forthcoming. I spoke with one of the county workers, who confirmed that a big party was held at our beach due to closures on the east coast, with thousands participating in the celebration!

It was evident that the police were present with their horses, who left their droppings behind.

It was a very sad day at Siesta Key Beach!

The good news is that cigarette butts were at a minimum. I was thankful that county staff and local residents assisted with the trash pickup.

It appears the new trend is to flatten the cans/plastic bottles and bury them. Why? It’s still confusing to me why beachgoers carry heavy cans and bottles on the beach but refuse to carry them out or use the trash receptacles supplied.

I am very concerned about our future with this unacceptable behavior. We all partied at spring break but were respectful and responsible.

June May, Sarasota

[wondermint2]

As Florida gator mating season ramps up, Sarasota man recalls near-deadly attack


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3vB4WFk7AQ

More than one million alligators are estimated to be swimming in Florida waters. State wildlife officials said they're especially aggressive right now.

Alligator mating season is here and one's chances of running into one are higher over the next few months.

While attacks are rare, Eric Merda of Sarasota knows the dangers all too well.

"When he snapped my arm backwards, my very first thought was there goes that arm," Merda said.

An alligator bit Merda's arm off July 2022 near Lake Manatee Fish Camp in Myakka City. After losing his right arm, Merda said he spent three and a half weeks in the hospital recovering.

10 Tampa Bay first caught up with Merda that year. He's among at least 455 known people bit by an alligator to date since 1948, according to the FWC records.

For full article:

https://www.wtsp.com/article/news/lo...e-e14936bb3655