Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

According to the video some of the shots went into a mobile home in the area.

Manatee Sheriff asks for community help after deputy-involved shooting (Video)

“We have got to do a better job of securing firearms.”

For full article & video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/12/2...outputType=amp


Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells had a strong plea for members of the community to lock their vehicles and secure their firearms after a close call involving his deputy and a K-9.

According to a spokesperson, deputies responded to a call of a suspicious individual checking door handles on vehicles in The Grove Mobile Home Park on 47th Avenue Drive early Friday morning. A helicopter in the area confirmed that there was a suspect breaking into vehicles and routed a K-9 Unit to the scene.

The deputy located a 17-year-old suspect entering one of the vehicles. The deputy got out and began issuing commands, but they report that the suspect ran away.

Sheriff Wells says the suspect fired three shots at the deputy and then two shots at the K-9. Neither were hurt.

The deputy returned fire and struck the suspect in the left leg. The deputy then rendered first aid until EMS arrived.

Rick Wells noted, “That’s what we do. Even though he tried to kill my deputy.”

Wells issued a plea to individuals to lock their vehicles in the community and to firearm owners to secure those safely. He added that he wasn’t sure if the weapon the suspect had was stolen from a car, but that it would be highly likely as a 17-year-old would not legally be able to purchase a weapon.

“We have got to do a better job of securing firearms,” Wells added.

[wondermint2]

(Commentary) Manatee County Strikes a Blow Against Drug Trafficking: A Local Victory in a Global Fight

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/bradenton-...a-global-fight

In a sweeping operation that highlights the persistence of drug trafficking in local communities, Manatee County, Florida, has become the focal point of a major crackdown on a drug distribution network.

An extensive five-month undercover investigation by local forces, including the Bradenton Police Department, and national agencies like Homeland Security Investigations, led to the arrest or issuance of warrants for eight individuals involved in the trade of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Key figure Pedro Garcia, a 41-year-old gang member with a history of felony convictions, has been apprehended for orchestrating this operation through a number of co-conspirators.

Detectives seized a substantial haul of drugs and firearms, delivering a tangible blow to the local narcotics trade. While this news is a triumph for Manatee County, it also reflects a larger, global commitment to dismantling the networks that fuel the drug trade.

These networks aren't just a local problem but a vast and complex web that spans across borders, affecting communities and nations worldwide. The coordinated efforts of multiple agencies are crucial in these operations, showcasing how teamwork and intelligence-sharing can lead to successful outcomes.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County Public Hearing on Proposed Tourist Development Tax Changes Set for January 10, 2024

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/32811...anuary-10-2024

The Sarasota County Board of Commissioners in Florida has scheduled a Public Hearing on January 10, 2024. It will be held at the Sarasota County Administration Center, Commission Chamber, at 1660 Ringling Blvd., Sarasota, Florida, starting at 9:00 a.m. The hearing aims to discuss and possibly adopt the proposed ORDINANCE NO. 2024-001.

This proposed ordinance involves changes to Chapter 114, Article III of the Sarasota County Code. It's about the Tourist Development Tax under Section 125.0104, Florida Statutes. The changes also include a revision of Section 114-64 of the County Code to update the Tourist Development Plan. The ordinance also sets the effective date.

Everyone is welcome to attend the hearing, express their views, and provide relevant comments. The proposed ordinance draft is available for review at the Public Utilities office at 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, Florida 34240 during regular business hours. Written comments can be sent to the same address before the hearing.

The public hearing may be extended as announced at the hearing. This notice complies with section 125.66, Florida Statutes. According to County Resolution No. 2021-101, each speaker is limited to 5 minutes. The Chair can adjust time limits to ensure fairness. No official record will be made of this meeting, and anyone wishing to appeal any decision must make their own record of the testimony and evidence.

Sarasota County ensures equal access to all services, programs, or activities regardless of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, religion, or genetic information. Those with disabilities who need assistance or alternative communication methods should contact the Sarasota County ADA/Civil Rights Coordinator. Information about Advisory Board/Council meetings and vacancies is available on the Advisory Councils page. To receive all public notices, register or update your email preferences under the 'News' drop-down.

Visit here for more details:

https://www.scgov.net/Home/Component...News/5893/6288

[wondermint2]

Sheriff's Office collects almost 2,500 gifts for kids

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/32805...gifts-for-kids

Thousands of gifts, and thousands of dollars in gift cards, were brought in during the Sarasota County Sheriff's Holiday Toy Drive.

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman announced the results recently.

“Any opportunity to collect and deliver thousands of gifts for children in our area is considered a great day at SCSO,” Hoffman stated in a news release. “The generosity of this community never ceases to amaze us. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and kindness of Sarasota citizens every year.”

Between Dec. 1-13, gifts were collected from Sarasota County workers, local businesses and residents that went to children involved in the 12th Judicial Circuit’s guardian ad litem program, Teen Court, and All-Star Children’s Foundation, it stated.

Those children, who range from newborn to 18 years old, live in DeSoto, Manatee and Sarasota counties.

Nearly 2,500 gifts were collected along with $2,585 in gift cards.

[wondermint2]

Students awarded for avoiding school tragedies

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/north-port...hool-tragedies

NORTH PORT — Woodland Middle School student Ashley Sofia Bastardo reported a serious threat that was aimed an out-of-state school.

She was recently honored for her courage in preventing a threat. According to the Sarasota County School Board Police Department, Ashley's "quick observation" led to an arrest in South Carolina.

Ashley was given a certificate by the North Port Police Department before friends and family at a recent Do the Right Thing ceremony at North Port City Hall.

Also awarded was Kylie Davis.

When Kylie heard others talking about a student with a gun on the Woodland Middle School campus, she initially thought they were joking. However, she thought she should still tell a trusted adult.

While walking to the front office, Kylie saw the student who was alleged to have the gun. The girl was surrounded by several other students. Kylie saw what she believed was the outline of a firearm.

She immediately ran to the office to report it.

Minutes later, the student was found in possession of a fully loaded Taurus 9mm handgun with hollow-point ammunition. The student was disarmed by Sarasota County Schools Police School Resource Officer David Singer.

Kylie was honored for her bravery and averted a potential school shooting, possibly saving countless lives, according to the School Board police department.

Singer was also later awarded by the Sarasota County School Police Association with a letter and certificate from the International Union of Police Associations for his quick thinking and good detective work that prevented a greater tragedy at Woodland Middle School.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

According to the video some of the shots went into a mobile home in the area.

Manatee Sheriff asks for community help after deputy-involved shooting (Video)

“We have got to do a better job of securing firearms.”

For full article & video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2023/12/2...outputType=amp


Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells had a strong plea for members of the community to lock their vehicles and secure their firearms after a close call involving his deputy and a K-9.

According to a spokesperson, deputies responded to a call of a suspicious individual checking door handles on vehicles in The Grove Mobile Home Park on 47th Avenue Drive early Friday morning. A helicopter in the area confirmed that there was a suspect breaking into vehicles and routed a K-9 Unit to the scene.

The deputy located a 17-year-old suspect entering one of the vehicles. The deputy got out and began issuing commands, but they report that the suspect ran away.

Sheriff Wells says the suspect fired three shots at the deputy and then two shots at the K-9. Neither were hurt.

The deputy returned fire and struck the suspect in the left leg. The deputy then rendered first aid until EMS arrived.

Rick Wells noted, “That’s what we do. Even though he tried to kill my deputy.”

Wells issued a plea to individuals to lock their vehicles in the community and to firearm owners to secure those safely. He added that he wasn’t sure if the weapon the suspect had was stolen from a car, but that it would be highly likely as a 17-year-old would not legally be able to purchase a weapon.

“We have got to do a better job of securing firearms,” Wells added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka0k1WEW4OE

[wondermint2]

A look back at 2023

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/32814...k-back-at-2023

Every year, media organizations look back at the previous dozen months to decide what stories made the biggest impacts on their community, or which events will keep affecting it.

It’s subjective. Some are obvious; some are not. And it’s entirely plausible that in time, it becomes obvious we missed an important one.

Don’t agree with our list? Feel free to email a Letter to the Editor (letters@yoursun.com) to let us know what you think were the important events of 2023.

This is our list:

[wondermint2]

New Ferry | Mixon’s Closes | IMG Sale: 2023 Top Bradenton News

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ne...eaef8912&ei=49

With 2023 coming to a close, here are some of the top news stories in the Bradenton area:

[wondermint2]

This is an article from Sharon Hillstrom - the president and chief executive officer of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. (BradentonAreaEDC.com).

Solid research, creative ideas, good partnerships drive Bradenton Area EDC

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smal...eaef8912&ei=33

All of our work is directed toward delivering return on investment – or ROI – to our private sector investors and public partners, which in turn benefits the community as a whole. How do we deliver ROI? By attracting and retaining high-wage jobs for area residents, and connecting established businesses to the resources they need to prosper.

High-wage jobs expand the tax base, increase local spending and grow the economic pie, which ultimately provides local businesses with more opportunities to increase their market share. And even if a company’s customer base is located outside of our local market, economic development in Manatee County generates benefits to employees and families residing here.

As the tax base expands, local governments can provide the services and infrastructure that are vital in making Manatee County an even better place to live, work and play.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota-Manatee home prices flat in 2023, but Realtors expect price growth in 2024

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...24/ar-AA1mirp9

One of the bedrock principles in economics is that as supply increases price should go down, as long as demand remains the same.

The Sarasota-Manatee housing market has not reacted as economic textbooks would predict.

The stickiness of home prices comes even as the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates 11 times since March 2022, with mortgage rates near 8% last month — the highest experienced by homebuyers in about 20 years.

Rising interest rates should also decrease demand, lowering prices as the cost to borrow money increases. But that doesn't appear to be the case in the local real estate market either, according to statistics maintained by RASM.

The RASM statistics show that through the first 11 months of 2023, closed sales are up 0.5%, indicating a slight uptick in demand compared to 2022.

Robert Goldman, a local Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, said the 2021 and 2022 real estate markets were fueled by a once-in-a-lifetime event, pointing to COVID lockdowns across the country as well as the many people who accelerated retirement during that period of uncertainty.

Goldman said the stubbornness of local pricing has a lot to do with continued demand for a growing area.

"It is a remarkable thing when you consider how high (mortgage) rates went up," he said, about 2023's flat price increase.

While the runaway home prices experienced in 2021 and 2022 seem to be over, Goldman noted that 2024 should be a good year for homeowners, given FED Chairman Jerome Powell indicated in mid-December the nation's central bank would cut rates three times next year.

Goldman said because of the elevated interest rates, there could be a lot of "pent-up demand" from buyers who were priced out of the market because of the higher rates.

As rates come down, those buyers will come back to the market and prices will likely increase, he said.

"Once rates stabilize, homebuyers and sellers will adjust to the new norm and prices will begin to rise," he said.