Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Learn the basics of Sarasota’s budget process at town hall session

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...get-town-hall/

City residents are invited to attend a town hall session to learn about Sarasota’s annual budget process from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, in the SRQ Media Studio in the City Hall Annex, 1565 First St.

The town hall will include a 30-minute presentation about the annual budget with an overview of the general fund and special funds, as well as spending restrictions. The presentation will be provided by Financial Administration Director Kelly Strickland, followed by a question-and-answer period.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Successful year for De Soto Grand Parade after two-year hiatus

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...fe4ab8a5&ei=54

BRADENTON, Fla. (WWSB) - Thousands attended this year’s De Soto Grand Parade after weather played a big role in the past two-years for the event.

Some of the new things that was featured during the event was a change in the float routes, Bradenton Police Department highlighted the new route and closures prior to the event.

A block party took place at Manatee West Avenue West in the downtown area prior to the parade featuring vendors, food, music, and so much more.

Our very own Bob Harrigan was this year’s Grand Marshall during the parade.

Bradenton’s De Soto Grand Parade makes a comeback. Take a look at the floats and fun (Photo Gallery)

For photo gallery:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/bradenton...015547848.html

After a long wait, Bradenton’s De Soto Grand Parade finally made a comeback this weekend.

Billed as one of the oldest and largest parades in the Southeast, the community tradition was canceled in 2022 and 2023 due to thunderstorms. But with no rain in sight Saturday, the fun went on as planned.

Over 150 parade entrants — including illuminated floats, krewes, fire engines, local schools, businesses, organizations and elected officials — set off Manatee Avenue to entertain crowds of all ages.

Local ABC7 weatherman Bob Harrigan served as the 2024 parade’s Grand Marshal.

Here are some scenes from the big night:

[wondermint2]

Bishop addresses sexual abuse lawsuit against local priest (Video)

For video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/04/2...-local-priest/

Bishop of the Diocese of Venice Frank Dewane wrote a letter to parishioners that addressed the allegations of sexual abuse against Charlotte County priest Leo Riley.

These allegations stem from Riley’s time working at a parish in Port Charlotte.

Bishop Dewane confirmed there is a pending lawsuit against Riley from back in 2020, but casted doubt on its credibility, saying in the letter, “At the time the civil lawsuit was received, the factual allegations therein were inaccurate and contradictory. The plaintiff has since changed his allegations and the litigation is still pending.”

Now both sides are accusing the other of erroneous messaging surrounding the allegations that stem from alleged abuse in the early to mid 2000s.

The attorney for the victim took exception to the Diocese’s earlier statement that said they put Riley on administrative leave immediately after hearing about a new sexual misconduct allegation in 2023.

“That statement is at best misleading, if not inaccurate,” the alleged victim’s attorney Damian Mallard said at a press conference on Friday.

This letter from the Bishop comes a day after a local man publicly shared his story of alleged abuse at the hands of Riley while at St. Charles School in Charlotte County.

“I buried these memories very deep, but I couldn’t keep them buried forever,” said the man who is going by John Doe.

Bishop Dewane telling the parishioners sexual abuse is something they don’t have any tolerance for, saying in the letter “As your Bishop, I would like to assure you that the Diocese of Venice takes these matters seriously and remains committed to doing its utmost to protect children and vulnerable adults.”

[wondermint2]

North Port's 28th annual Big Truck Day at CoolToday Park (Photo Gallery)

For photo gallery:

https://www.heraldtribune.com/pictur...k/73485139007/

Many families and individuals celebrated the 28th annual Big Truck Day at Cool Today Park on Saturday.

The event featured an interactive look at over 40 big trucks, specialty equipment, and heavy equipment where kids could interact and take the driver's seat.

Those who attended the event also got a chance to tour Cool Today Park.

The event was hosted by Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources and the Atlanta Braves.

[wondermint2]

SOE Appointment Continues to Draw Public Scrutiny

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...scrutiny,85375

It’s been two weeks since former county commissioner James Satcher was announced as Manatee County Supervisor of Elections. It seems that the dust still hasn’t settled following the controversial gubernatorial appointment.

[wondermint2]

Heating up: Officials share advice for wildfire season

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/north-port...ildfire-season

As Southwest Florida slips further into the dry season, brush fire threats thrive.

A few have been reported already this year. Earlier this month, a multi-acre brush fire flared up next to the North Port skatepark, causing road closures.

This week, another fire, sparked by lightning from an overnight cold front, charred about 100 remote acres in the Mabry T. Carlton Reserve in mid-Sarasota County.

Both fires were brought under control by firefighters and state Forestry rangers.

Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Patrick Mahoney said although there was some recent rainfall in the area, winter and spring months typically tend to be dryer in Southwest Florida.

Also, there is no precipitation in the forecast for the coming days. That is a concern.

Mahoney, who works for the Florida Forest Service's Myakka District office, said that this year's dry period has actually not been as bad as some in the past. About seven years ago the drought was 600-700 on the drought index. The scale only goes up to 800.

“We were bouncing from one fire to the other. The last five years, we’ve had the dry conditions but haven’t had the ignition,” he said.

That's not to say there weren't any fires.

On March 2, 2023, a fast-moving fire, aided by gusting winds, kept firefighters busy in the area of Toledo Blade and Price boulevards. Several businesses, including a dance academy, were evacuated.

The previous season, a fire melted backyard fences and torched sheds in South Gulf Cove in western Charlotte County around April 1.

PREEMPTIVE MEASURES

Preventative measures, such as prescribed burns and mitigation, are practiced all over Florida to halt fires before they happen.

Planned fires, or controlled burns are to "reduce hazardous fuel loads near developed areas, manage landscapes, restore natural woodlands, and for research purposes," according to the National Park Service.

“You can deal with prescribed for a day — or wild fires for weeks,” Mahoney said.

But fires do start, some by lightning strikes, some by arson, others by carelessness.

[wondermint2]

Real estate is still moving, but a little slower

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...-little-slower

VENICE — Area Realtors are still selling homes by the hundreds, but statistics shared by the Venice Area Board of Realtors suggest the market has cooled a bit.

According to the National Association of Realtors, VABR members sold 261 units — single-family homes and condos and co-ops — in March.

Englewood Area Board of Realtors members tallied 131 sales; Realtors of Punta Gorda-Port Charlotte-North Port-DeSoto moved 536 units; and Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee members had 1,379 sales.

But most of VABR's numbers were somewhat better a year ago, data from the Florida Association of Realtors show.

Members sold 218 single-family homes in March 2023 compared to 179 this year, the FAR report shows. They sold for an average price of $587,043 this year and $590,786 last year, and a median price of $520,500 a year ago and $490,000 last month.

The median is the midpoint in a range of numbers.

Fewer sales and a lower average price resulted in a sales volume of $105.1 million for March 2024, compared to $128.8 million in 2023.

Properties sold for a median of 95.5% of their listing price last March, 94.9% last month.

The median time for a listing to go to contract doubled over a year, from 23 days last year to 46 days this year, the data show.

Active listings are up from 567 in 2023 to 850 last month, representing 5.1 months of inventory.

Stellar MLS compiles data on a county basis. It shows 1,124 properties sold in March in Sarasota County, and 565 in Charlotte County, with an average number of days on the market of 62 in Sarasota County and 79 in Charlotte County.

Affordability

The contrast between the low and high ends of the price scale illustrate the affordable housing issue in the region.

Out of the more than 2,300 single-family units sold by members of the four Realtor boards in March, 199 went for less than $200,000 — 41 houses and 78 condos and co-ops, according to the NAR.

There were 254 sales for more than a million, the data show — 181 houses and 73 condos and co-ops.

The Sarasota Manatee board alone had 211 million-dollar sales, NAR data show, and the bulk of the under-$200,000 sales — 80.

VABR members had 16 million-dollar sales, while only only three units moved for less than $200,000.

[wondermint2]

Venice High School color guard gets the gold

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...-gets-the-gold

For the first time in school history, Venice High School’s color guard placed first at the 2024 Florida Federation of Color Guards Circuit Championships in March in Daytona.

For the team, many said it was also the first time they felt heard after a challenging marching band season.

Composed of only one junior, freshman and sophomores, the Emeralds’ 2024 indoor show included an 8-minute performance choreographed and directed by GerVóntez Eva. Titled “Can I Make it Better,” the show follows the feeling of being misunderstood, a theme Eva said was commonly felt during a challenging marching band season.

[wondermint2]

Opinion - Feds Step in to Stop Another Bad Idea in Manatee County

With any luck, more federal agencies will take an interest in Florida's most corrupt county

For the full column:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...e-county,85327

Earlier this month, TBT reported a significant development: the Federal Aviation Authority rejected a potentially game-changing deal between the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Authority and New College of Florida. Had this deal been approved, SRQ would have sold over 30 acres of airport land to the State of Florida for New College's use.

In a previous column, I delved into the political motivations that mostly likely drove this deal, arguing that it was a misguided move that prioritized politics over the best interests of the community. The FAA's rejection letter echoed these concerns and underscored the potential negative consequences of such a deal.

When an airport intends to sell its land, it must first obtain FAA approval. In this case, both the airport authority and the New College Board of Trustees had given their approval before securing the FAA's consent. In a comprehensive five-page response, FAA Acting Manager Rebecca Henry politely, but firmly, explained the reasons for the rejection.

If I had to describe the tone of the letter, which can be viewed here:

https://www.documentcloud.org/docume...e-dtd-04-10-24

I'd go with: Why in the hell am I having to explain something that should be blatantly obvious to people who should definitely know better?

[wondermint2]

The Critical Role of Prekindergarten Education in Sarasota

Guest Correspondence by Terrence Connor - the Sarasota County Superintendent of Schools.

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...on-in-Sarasota

As Superintendent of Schools, I am sincerely invested in our youngest citizens' academic and personal success. The significance of early childhood education, particularly prekindergarten (Pre-K), cannot be overstated in its role in setting the stage for lifelong learning and achievement.

Research consistently demonstrates that children participating in high-quality Pre-K programs significantly improve their overall development. These students are better prepared for kindergarten, show enhanced performance in reading and math, and are less likely to require specialized education services or retention. The long-term impacts of early education include higher graduation rates, increased earnings, and lower rates of crime and delinquency.

In the early days of my transition into the district, our team recognized the critical juncture at which these Pre-K programs stood. Initially funded by grant revenue, these Pre-K early learning programs faced the looming threat of discontinuation as the grant period neared its end. Understanding the pivotal role of early childhood education, we took decisive action to safeguard the future of our Pre-K initiatives.