Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Miami man stole $94k of car parts before fatal Sarasota hit-and-run, court records say

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...ay/ar-BB1igW0b

A Miami man was arrested on Friday for his role in a Sarasota hit-and-run after stealing $94,000 worth of catalytic convertors from two businesses, court records said.

Edwin Norris, 30, was connected to two business burglaries, where 22 catalytic convertors were stolen, and a fatal hit-and-run that killed a motorcyclist on April 4. While five suspects were involved in the burglaries, his fingerprints were found on the dashboard of the car that was used during the burglaries and the hit-and-run, court records said.

Deadly hit-and-run suspect arrested

Leonard Adams lost his life on April 4, 2023, at the intersection of Fruitville Road and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in Sarasota.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHlx9nxI_rA

[wondermint2]

SunCoast Blood Centers introduces new solar-powered electric donation buses

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/su...2dbeac15&ei=32

SunCoast Blood Centers is rolling out new, solar-powered bloodmobiles with collaborative support from the Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

SCBC’s solar-powered concierge bloodmobile is the first in the U.S. to embrace solar energy, marking a significant step in its commitment to adopting more fiscal and sustainable practices. Donors will benefit from reduced disruptive noises often associated with traditional, gas-powered engines, creating a noticeably quieter and more peaceful experience.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota's politicians allowed a racial hoax to divide our city. We deserve an apology.

Opinion by Sarasota Herald Tribune columnist Carrie Seidman

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sa...2dbeac15&ei=55

In the years since I took on this column in 2017, I have tried hard to uphold my original vision: Not only to inform and educate readers, but to share thought-provoking perspectives that tweak our collective conscience and encourage us to become a more engaged, collaborative and inclusive community.

My last column – about the racist hoax at the Sarasota City Commission and its subsequent fallout – appears to have had the opposite effect.

In a perhaps naïve attempt to urge a “bigger picture” outlook that would make litigation over the incident unnecessary and lead to some essential conversations we continue to avoid, I inadvertently gave offense to the innocent targets of the hoax, who felt I had implied those responsible for perpetrating it need not be held accountable and the whole incident should be swept under the rug. Nothing could be farther from my truth.

[wondermint2]

SRQ keeps setting records for passenger traffic (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...2f36a324&ei=30

Another month, another record for Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

The airport announced Thursday that 395,993 passengers traveled through its gates in January, a 5% increase from January 2023.

The 12-month activity through January 2024 totaled 4,340,778 passengers, a 10.65% increase compared to 3,923,034 passengers for the 12 months through January 2023.

”SRQ is pleased to begin 2024 with yet another month of record-breaking achievements,” said President and CEO Rick Piccolo. “Looking ahead, we anticipate a consistent growth trajectory, especially with the upcoming surge in spring break travel.”

The airport is in the midst of a huge expansion project, including more parking and a new five-gate terminal. The airport’s ultimate plan is to bring the total amount of gates to 32.

[wondermint2]

New College activist group pauses federal academic freedom lawsuit over state law

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ne...2f36a324&ei=35

An activist group vocal in its opposition to ongoing changes at New College of Florida paused a federal lawsuit against the state’s board of governors claiming First Amendment and academic freedom violations, according to the college and the plaintiffs.

NCF Freedom, a group of alumni and activists formed in response to the conservative transformation of New College spearheaded by Gov. Ron DeSantis, filed the suit because of Senate Bill 266. The sweeping higher education bill, which the governor signed on New College’s campus last year, made headlines for prohibiting funding to diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Florida universities.

NCF Freedom claimed the bill created “a chill on free speech on the New College campus … by censoring the teaching of certain ‘disfavored’ topics and by prohibiting them outright.”

Jono Miller, the president of NCF Freedom, said the organization filed the voluntary dismissal to pause the suit because of questions about whether it had standing to sue. The group could “reactivate” the lawsuit if they felt there were any more actions taken by New College’s administration that violated the First Amendment, he said.

“We're not really conceding anything, we're just acknowledging the fact that the court didn’t feel that their behavior was extreme enough,” Miller said.

The group had sought a temporary injunction on the law, but was denied by the court in November.

"We are crossing the Rubicon," said New College President Richard Corcoran. "New College of Florida is making significant progress toward becoming the top liberal arts college in the nation. It is time to put this lawsuit behind us and come together to realize the immense potential of New College as a thriving educational institution."

[wondermint2]

Public invited to information meeting on Lorraine Road project

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/pu...2f36a324&ei=76

Manatee County is hosting a public information meeting Feb. 22 for the upcoming improvements to Lorraine Road.

The meeting, at the FDOT Manatee Operations Center at 14000 State Road 64, will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about the proposed improvements to Lorraine Road, from State Road 64 to 59th Avenue East.

Project staff will be on hand to answer questions and provide other project-related information. There will be no formal presentation and guests may show up any time between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The project will widen approximately 2.83 miles of Lorraine Road, from south of 59th Circle/Avenue to the S.R. 64 roundabout, from two lanes to divided four lanes, with a raised median. Enhancements will include pedestrian and bicycle facility upgrades, including a shared-use path and seven-foot buffered bike lanes, drainage improvements and designated stormwater ponds, two bridge replacements, and will include traffic signals and street lighting throughout the corridor.

Anyone who requires special accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact Carmine DeMilio, Parks and Grounds Deputy Director, by phone at 941-742-5923, ext. 6016, or by email at carmine.demilio@mymanatee.org at least five days prior to the public meeting. Persons who require translation services (free of charge) should contact Valerie Ciudad-Real at 813-404-1572 or by email at valeriec@valerin-group.com at least five days prior to the public meeting.

For additional project information, please visit the project website at:

https://lorraine-road-improvement-pr...ub.arcgis.com/

[wondermint2]

Rita's Celebrates Grand Opening in Bradenton with Free Rita's for a Year Giveaways

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...Year-Giveaways

Living in Bradenton just got sweeter as Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard - the beloved brand known for its delicious Italian Ice and Frozen Custard treats – today announced it is hosting a grand opening in Bradenton, FL, at 1731 Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, this Friday, February 16.

Starting at 4 p.m., the new location will reward the first 50 guests in line with Free Rita’s Italian Ice for a Year!*. From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., guests are invited to enjoy photo opportunities with Rita’s mascot Ice Guy, the Rita’s prize wheel, merchandise giveaways, a face painter, and more.

Additionally, the store will be offering guests a $2 Small Italian Ice and a $3 Small Gelati from Friday, February 16th through Sunday, February 18th.

[wondermint2]

LWV County Commission Meeting Notes: 2/13/24

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...es-21324,74475

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board’s regular meeting on 2/13/24.

[wondermint2]

Blake Hospital named a Level II Trauma Center, the highest level of trauma care

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/oth...re/ar-BB1in77F

The trauma center at HCA Florida Blake Hospital has been verified as a Level II Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma, the highest possible designation.

Verified trauma centers must meet the essential criteria that ensure trauma care capability and the highest level of institutional performance as outlined by the ACS COT in its current manual, “Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient.”

“This verification signifies HCA Florida Blake Hospital’s commitment to deliver the highest level of trauma care,” said Steve Young, chief executive officer of HCA Florida Blake Hospital, in Bradenton. “Our trusted team shows up for our community when minutes count to provide this advanced, life-saving care to residents in Manatee County and surrounding areas.”

[wondermint2]

A New Affordable Housing Project Is Headed to North Tamiami Trail

New Trail Plaza in Sarasota will bring almost 100 units entirely dedicated to workforce and affordable housing tenants.

For full article:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/hom...trail-sarasota

A long-vacant 6.24-acre lot across from the iconic Bahi Hut will now be the site of New Trail Plaza, a new project spearheaded by a partnership between the nonprofit Community Assisted & Supported Living (CASL) and St-Petersburg-based Blue Sky Communities, called Blue CASL Sarasota.

New Trail Plaza will house a four-story, 90-unit multifamily residential building and a three-story, six-unit mixed-use building with approximately 3,000 square feet of nonresidential floor space that will include a clubhouse.

Scott Eller, CEO of CASL, spoke to the urgent need for affordable housing.

“There are 16,000 to 17,000 Sarasota residents who are spending 50 percent or more [of their annual income] on their rent,” he says. “That means we have families having to choose between paying the rent or buying groceries that week. Even people who work at CASL can’t afford to work in this community. If you serve this community, you should be able to afford to live there.”

Spending about 30 percent of annual income on rent is often considered the baseline for affordability.

The area median income (AMI) for the North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is $98,700 a year, with 80 percent AMI set at annual salaries of $51,200 for a single-person household; $58,500 for a household of two, and $73,100 for a household of four.

New Trail Plaza’s long-term rental units will be targeted at those earning no more than 80 percent of the area’s AMI, with the bulk of rents targeted at those earning 60 percent. Some of the units will be one-bedroom, but most will be two and three-bedroom units.

“A lot of affordable housing is marketed at 100 percent and 120 percent AMI, but it’s the households making $70,000 and below who are struggling,” says P.J. Brooks, CASL’s COO.

Located between 46th and 47th Streets, the 96 units will be the first phase of the project and CASL expects to see shovels in the ground in May. “If everything stays on track we’ll be open before December of next year,” says Brooks. The 96 units are funded through federal tax credits, and CASL will identify other funds for the second-phase single-family homes with the help of local organizations with a similar mission to bring affordable housing to the area.

That second phase, which is planned for groundbreaking in the fall, will see five four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom single-family homes built as a buffer to the adjoining Bayou Oaks residential neighborhood. The new homes also honor the already existing zoning for single-family homes. All units must remain affordable for at least 50 years.