Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

IMO considering the time that this happened the most likely cause is drunk driving. Speeding likely was also involved.

Ormond Beach Man Dies In Crash On I-75 At Bee Ridge In Sarasota

The Crash Was On I-75 Near The Bee Ridge Road Exit In Sarasota After 12:47 AM

For graphic:

https://www.justicepays.com/news/orm...e-in-sarasota/

Florida Highway Patrol has announced a fatal single-vehicle crash took place early Sunday morning.

The crash began as a 39-year-old man from Ormond Beach Florida was driving an Infinity two-door sedan on interstate 75 heading south on the left lane and approaching the Bee Ridge Road exit ramp.

For reasons unknown at approximately 12:47 AM the sedan swerved out of the lane, traveled across the center and right lanes before leaving the roadway and driving onto the grass shoulder on the west side of I-75.

After entering the shoulder the sedan completely lost control and overturned at speed.

The force of the vehicle rolling over threw the driver and ejected him from the sedan.

First responders pronounced the man deceased at the scene of the accident.

FHP has stated that the accident remains under investigation.

[wondermint2]

FDOT sets public meeting for feedback on DeSoto Bridge replacement over Manatee River

https://news.yahoo.com/fdot-sets-pub...095000486.html

Manatee County residents will have the chance to give their input on the plan to replace the 67-year-old DeSoto Bridge between Bradenton and Palmetto.

The Florida Department of Transportation will host a public hearing Tuesday at the Veterans’ Expo Hall at the Manatee County Fairgrounds to discuss plans for the DeSoto Bridge Project Development Study.

An open house starts at 5 p.m. at 1402 14th Ave. W., Palmetto, with a formal presentation at 6 p.m. followed by public comments, according to FDOT.

Residents may participate in person or watch a live session online by visiting:

http://tinyurl.com/DeSotoBridge.

FDOT announced in October 2023 that the agency plans to build a replacement bridge starting in 2027, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

The three-year project is fully funded at $168 million, but whether the replacement bridge will be built to the east or west of the current bridge has not been determined.

The existing bridge, however, will remain in service during construction.

New Manatee River bridge planned

The DeSoto Bridge replacement is part of a two-pronged plan to alleviate traffic between Bradenton and Palmetto, with the other being a study of 10 possible alternate corridors.

The Bradenton Herald previously reported that at least one of the additional corridors could come in the form of a new bridge over the Braden River or the Manatee River.

The DeSoto Bridge Replacement Study, which will be discussed at Tuesday’s hearing, will determine “where and how to build feasible alternatives for the new in-kind replacement bridge” while considering “social, economic, natural and cultural effects,” according to FDOT’s website.

The hearing will also allow residents to express their views on the conceptual design of the bridge or voice any thoughts or concerns.

The project length is 1.3 miles from State Road 64 in Bradenton to Haben Boulevard in Palmetto, according to the website.

The DeSoto Bridge, built in 1957, has faced capacity issues due to massive population growth in Manatee County over the past several years.

The Bradenton Herald previously reported in 2019 that replacing the bridge was the top legislative priority for the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Residents looking to attend the public hearing online can register in advance.

Meeting materials can also be viewed ahead of the meeting on the project webpage at:

https://www.swflroads.com/project/442630-1

[wondermint2]

BUSINESS PEOPLE: Safe Children Coalition hires director of new in-house medical program

For full column:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/oth...am/ar-AA1nR1be

Child welfare organization Safe Children Coalition recently created an in-house Medical Program to provide health care services to children and young adults in the Community Based Care system in Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties, and to children and young adults who receive child welfare benefits post-adoption or Guardianship Assistance Program closure.

Through nurse care coordination, clients receive routine assessment of health care needs, including routine wellness and dental care. Nurses and their support team provide member/caregiver education (including education on health care benefits), follow-up post hospital visits, assistance with referrals and appointments as needed, help in accessing medical supplies and medications, and more.

Overseeing the medical team is recently hired Medical Program Nursing Director Jennifer Edgson, BSN, RN, CCM. Edgson has over 20 years of experience working within managed care to coordinate services for children and young adults with complex medical issues and/or who are part of Florida’s dependency system.

She previously served as a health care consultant for Community Based Care Integrated Health, Inc., in Orlando, and nursing supervisor for Westcoast Access to Children’s Health, Inc., in Sarasota.

[wondermint2]

Cigar club on Longboat Key is now open for its inaugural members

Club Leaf & Bean co-owners Mark Zini and Matt Kaltenberger are close to reaching their max for membership for the new members-only social cigar lounge on Longboat Key.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-open-members/

Since the word has spread, everyone has been wondering what is behind the tinted windows at the new cigar club on Longboat Key.

No one would ever guess that a building painted bright blue would be the place for select Longboaters to host colleagues and loved ones for a cigar or a quick gathering in a dark yet sophisticated interior.

But that is how they want to keep Club Leaf & Bean: a place exclusive for its selected 55 inaugural members.

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

*Club Leaf & Bean

Zini and Kaltenberger are currently interviewing to reach 55 inaugural members, in honor of Longboat being established in 1955. To be considered for a membership, call 941-491-9299 or visit: https://ClubLeafAndBean.com/longboat

[wondermint2]

Planning & Zoning chair to move from Longboat and board position

David Green spent six years on Longboat Key's Planning and Zoning Board. His resignation, effective in May, was a decision to move closer to family.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...oard-position/

[wondermint2]

Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse uses internal fortitude to stay alive

The Mustangs have reached the FHSAA Class 2A regional semifinals for the first time.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...nal-fortitude/

[wondermint2]

How Bradenton-area anglers battled slow fishing and cold weather to win local tournament

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/34185...cal-tournament

In the first major Manatee County fishing tournament of 2024, a familiar team brought home first place.

“There were a lot of good teams in this tournament, top tier bracket fisherman,” said angler Justin Rudrud of Team Rats on da Cheese. “But we didn’t really focus on them. We put in the time and effort and the name of the game is (to) try and win. We all work full-time jobs but get out when we can to scout and look around. All three events are for good causes, but we want to put in the effort to go out there.”

The Suncoast Saltwater Shootout, the first of the three events known as the Manasota Flooring Triple Crown Series, took place after a captains meeting Friday, April 19 and concluded the following day in the afternoon. The shortest of the three tournaments, it was an overnight sprint that had teams like Rats on da Cheese looking for good fishing to add up a redfish, trout and snook slam.

“I wouldn’t say it was good,” Rudrud said when asked how the fishing was. “We capitalized on the opportunities we had. We only had two snook bites, landing one and the other spit the hook. I think we probably caught only three or four redfish total. It was pretty tough. But we had a plan and stuck to it.”

[wondermint2]

Major Enhancements and Support Initiatives Funded by Manatee BOCC for Local Community

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

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) is continuing its funding of important initiatives across the county, including community organizations, public safety, transportation and support services.

During the regular BOCC Meeting Tuesday (April 23, 2024), commissioners moved $926,052 into the Parks and Recreation Fund to pay for improvements to the Pump Room and restrooms at the under-construction John Marble Park. Once reopened, the park will feature a not only a new pool complex but also a double gymnasium, fitness center, splash pad, a new picnic pavilion and fencing. Work on this project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

More than $1.8 million was appropriated from U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants to community organizations, including Allean’s Loving Care, Centerstone of Florida, Gulfcoast Legal Services, Meals on Wheels PLUS, Turning Points Project Smile, Homeowner Down Payment Assistance, Homeowner Rehab/Replacement Program and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Administration.

An additional $157,050 of grant revenue in the CDBG Grant Fund from a HUD Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) is going to the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness.

A total of $682,569 of grant revenue in the Home fund from HUD for the FY 23/24 Home Investment Partnership (HOME) will be distributed between Can Community Health, Manatee County Habitat for Humanity, The Salvation Army and Manatee County Community & Veterans Services.

“Keeping our community partners funded is vital,” said At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden. “Your board is pleased to continue to fund these important initiatives.”

Emergency Services will purchase 40 new Transport Ventilators with a $616,534 transfer of funds. An additional $252,686 will go toward the purchase of a high-water rescue vehicle for the Beach Patrol Division of Manatee County Public Safety.

$1.4 million is being transferred from reserves in the Local 5-Cent Capital Projects fund to the Ellenton Gillette Road at Mendoza Road (37th Street East) Intersection Improvements project for land acquisition and associated overhead costs.

An additional $1.6 million is being earmarked for intersection improvements at 44th Avenue East at Uihlein Road, 44th Avenue East at Wood Fern Trail, Rangeland Parkway at Uihlein Road and Rangeland Parkway at New Haven Boulevard.

[wondermint2]

Southeast High School students busy preparing for two concerts in 10 days

For the full 'Vin's People' column:

https://www.newsbreak.com/lakewood-r...rts-in-10-days

Southeast High will be putting on not one but two concerts within the next 10 days.

The first is a Prism Concert, “ADVENTURE,” Thursday 6:30 p.m. in the Ed Nock Auditorium. The second is the 11th annual Chorus Spring Fling Concert and awards ceremony Tuesday, May 7 at 6 p.m., also in Ed Nock Auditorium.

Thursday’s Prism Concert includes the Noles’ marching band, concert bands, jazz bands, small ensembles, soloists and dance-color guard performances.

According to Band Director Andrea Vella, this will be the last performance of Southeast’s 2023 show, “Almost There!” Based on Disney's "Princess and the Frog," it will feature drum major Justice Williams (alto saxophone soloist), Faith Williams, Justice's sister, as Princess Tiana, Olivia Szymanski (second alto saxophone soloist) and Rebekah Harold with a ballet solo as Evangeline.

Doors open 5:30 p.m. and there’ll be a taco bar, too. Admission is $5. Children under 5 are free.

The Spring Fling “is not a traditional chorus concert, but more of a ‘show choir’ concert with solos, duets and trios,” said Director of Choirs ​Michelle Norman-Webb. “Students literally run the show … working backstage props, microphones and so forth.”

[wondermint2]

Tervis and Lee Wetherington Homes Collaborate to Showcase Tumblers in Luxury Home Models

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...ry-Home-Models

Tervis, the nationally loved and family-owned drinkware company founded in 1946, and Lee Wetherington Homes, Sarasota’s premier custom home builder, have joined creative forces for a collaboration to showcase Tervis tumblers inside several of the home builders’ new home models in Sarasota and Manatee counties. The tumblers are now featured as part of the outside patio décor in the models at Wild Blue at Waterside in Lakewood Ranch and Everly at Wellen Park.