Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Hurricane relief bill sponsored by Congressman Steube heads to the Senate (Video)

The U.S. House approved the $78 billion package Wednesday. It also includes tax relief for folks impacted by natural disasters like Hurricane Ian.

For full article & video:

https://www.wtsp.com/amp/article/new...0-2c5d12d9467d

A bill to expand the child tax credit and give tax breaks to some businesses is on its way to the Senate. The U.S. House approved the $78 billion package Wednesday, which includes tax relief for those impacted by natural disasters like Hurricane Ian.

"Any time you can get assistance, it will ultimately help," said Mike Austin, owner of Austin's Restaurant in Northport.

Businesses like Austin's are still rebuilding even more than a year after Hurricane Ian caused havoc in Southwest Florida.

"It's just been a struggle. We still have repairs on the roof for the building," said Austin.

In the city of Sarasota, it's the same narrative for the few who sustained significant damage, such as at the buildings on the Sarasota County Fairgrounds.

"We rode the storm out here. We watched the wind come through a rip one of the roofs off the building behind me — peeled it off and threw it to the south fence, and then, it also damaged our office building," recalled Rory Martin, president of Sarasota County Fairgrounds.

Along with homeowners, affected businesses frustrated by insurance delays have had to take on the cost of repairs.

"We self-funded about a half-million dollars of repairs on our property here, mainly because we were able to host the power company here and provide catering services during the aftermath of the storm," said Martin.

"There have been businesses since Ian that are permanently closed. There have been people who lost everything and had to leave the area because housing costs have escalated so high and so rapidly. There are businesses like mine that can't really get staffing," added Austin.

Now, relief is on the way as the House passed a tax package that included a disaster relief bill sponsored by Florida Congressman Greg Steube. It covers every natural disaster in the country since 2020 like the wildfires in California and Maui, the Ohio train derailment and Hurricane Ian.

"Any American that was affected by any presidentially declared natural disaster will be able to deduct those expenses that they incurred from their taxes from that tax year," said Congressman Greg Steube.

[wondermint2]

Traffic Watch for Manatee and Sarasota Counties - Week of February 3, 2024

For full article:

https://www.mympo.org/blog/traffic-w...rua?format=amp

Motorists are reminded to wear safety belts and drive with caution, courtesy, common sense, and patience as they travel through work zones. Remember, speeding fines are doubled in work zones.

As a reminder, travelers can visit www.FL511.com or dial “511” from their phone to learn about traffic conditions on major roadways across the state. If you know before you go, you can plan accordingly and save time and money.

[wondermint2]

Geier’s Sausage Kitchen looking at months of repairs after fire (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.snntv.com/sarasota/geier...rs-after-fire/

An electrical fire last Sunday spread through the back half of Gier’s Kitchen (7447 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota) causing the deli to shut down indefinitely. Part-owner Nikata Chadwick has been in the deli ever since she was born.

“We don’t have our childhood home. Houses sell things sell. People move here and there, but this was always the same this was yeah it was home. It was hard,” Chadwick said.

Gier’s kitchen has been passed down generation to generation. Nakita grandparents first started Gier’s in German. They eventually followed the American dream and opened up the deli in Sarasota in the early 80s.

“Everybody comes in for recipes and we talk about old family stuff we use to do. It is hard because they are a good family and they take care of you. A lot of people have been here for like 20 or 30 years,” Billy Kainsell, the deli’s manager said.

Gier plans on rebuilding in 8 to 10 months. They will be having a cook out fundraiser on Saturday at their parking lot from 11 a.m to 2 p.m.

[wondermint2]

What to know in Manatee: Pace center expansion and more residential development approved

For full article:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/know-mana...162722487.html

The Pace Center for Girls will be expanding educational and recreation facilities in Manatee County following approval by county commissioners.

Commissioners discussed the expansion on Thursday during a public land use meeting, where they also considered changes to the Parrish Lakes development plan, a new housing project on Rye Road, denied a proposal by Yoder Land Holdings, and appointed two new members to the county planning commission.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County and Longboat Key collaborate for new library project, community input needed

https://www.scgov.net/Home/Components/News/News/6074/23

SARASOTA COUNTY – Sarasota County is partnering with the Town of Longboat Key to build a public library in Longboat Key as part of the Town Center Green Project. This will be Sarasota County’s first new library project since 2018 as well as the county's first library project on a barrier island.

Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners took an important step in making this initiative become a reality in 2022 when they allocated $1 million toward development costs for a Longboat Key library. An architect and construction manager were given contracts for the project, and the design phase officially began in December 2023. Sarasota County has been working closely with the Town of Longboat Key to design and plan a library that will best serve the town’s residents.

“We are excited to bring library services to Longboat Key. From traditional collections and programs to dynamic technology and meeting spaces, the library will undoubtedly serve as a vital community anchor within the town,” said Dr. Renée Di Pilato, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources. “This is something residents have been requesting for a long time, and we’re happy to see it coming to fruition.”

The county will hold its first public meeting with the library director and the architect presenting basic components of the library at 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 12, at the Longboat Key Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road, Longboat Key.

A second public meeting will be held at 1:30 p.m. on March 18 at the Longboat Key Town Hall.

The presentations will be followed by a breakout session, where the community will have an opportunity to provide input for any potential enhancements to the project. This will allow the community to have a direct impact on the future of the library’s amenities. The cost for the library, which will be county-built and run, may be supplemented by private donations for any enhancements.

Following the public meetings, architects will create and propose designs for the suggested enhancements. These designs, along with cost estimates, will be used for fundraising efforts.

To view the most recent information as the project progresses, please visit SarsotaCountyLibraries.org or call 311.

[wondermint2]

‘This was maybe a life saved as a result of it’: Sarasota sheriff’s deputy receives shocking diagnosis after Apple Watch alert (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.wfla.com/news/sarasota-c...tch-alert/amp/

The Apple Watch alert Sarasota Deputy Sheriff Luke Heyman felt on his wrist was unlike any other he received before — a ‘high heart rate’ notification.

“So I checked my heart rate, it was about 160,” said Heyman. “I thought it was just a malfunction of the watch or just an erroneous reading.”

Two days later, he said he felt sick and his legs felt like jello. Then he got the same alert.

“At that point, I figured, well, two alerts in one week,” Heyman explained. “I should probably go get checked out.”

Doctors ruled out a heart attack, but couldn’t diagnose it. Heyman said he went home only for the nausea to return. His resting heart was 160 beats per minute again, so he went back to the hospital.

“When I went to the ER, they did a CT scan with some contrast,” Heyman recalled. “They found that I had multiple blood clots in each of my lungs.”

He said he started on blood thinners shortly thereafter.

“There’s a good chance this deputy would have had a worse outcome,” said Dr. Pavan Kapadia. “Some sort of bad event — passing out, blacking out, or even worse.”

Dr. Kapadia is an AdventHealth Tampa cardiologist.

“I’m glad that he had that watch with him,” Dr. Kapadia said. “He looked at some of the notices and the alerts that came up and he said, ‘Something doesn’t sound right, let me get it checked out.'”

Dr. Kapadia said a study found Apple Watches are very good at detecting some abnormal heart rhythms.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Prolific investor acquires landmark Sarasota property The Boatyard

Chris Brown and Above the Bar Hospitality Group own multiple other brands and entities in the Sarasota area.

The new owners of The Boatyard plan multiple upgrades.

https://www.businessobserverfl.com/n...erty-boatyard/

The Boatyard, a landmark mixed-use waterfront property on Siesta Key, has been sold.

Chris Brown, a Sarasota-area entrepreneur, real estate investor and co-founder of the Above the Bar Hospitality Group, acquired the property, according to a statement. The price of the sale wasn’t disclosed, and Sarasota County property records hadn’t been updated as of Feb. 1.

The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill and Siesta Key Watersports are among the existing tenants inside the 2.03-acre property, which is situated on the mainland adjacent to the South Bridge to Siesta Key. The property contains deeded canal-front access to Sarasota Bay, Little Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway, according to the statement from Harry E. Robbins Associates Inc., a Sarasota commercial real estate firm that facilitated the transaction on behalf of the buyer and seller. Kevin Robbins and Troy Robbins were the brokers on the deal.

Some more details here:

Sarasota waterfront property including restaurant is sold, redevelopment planned

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...ed/ar-BB1hGQOX

“The Boatyard is an iconic property. This is a generational asset for someone to own and develop. There are not many opportunities to secure this kind of commercial property with frontage on the water, let alone a deeded canal access. The buyer is a well-established hospitality/restaurant operator with multiple locations,” Kevin Robbins said. “We are excited to see how this project will be improved and enhanced to benefit the community.”

The news release from the real estate firm also noted Brown will "enjoy ample opportunities for an upgraded, mixed-use waterfront development."

Tenants at the property include The Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill and Siesta Key Watersports.

"Brown and his team are finalizing plans to upgrade the complex and promote a more customer-friendly environment to benefit new and existing tenants," the news release said.

The redevelopment plan was not immediately available on Friday, but "full plans for renovation and tenant mix will be released soon."

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County Schools parents worried about string of school lockdowns

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/02/0...outputType=amp

A string of fake reports of a shooter has left parents at local schools worried about the safety of their kids.

Three different schools in the area -- Lakeview Elementary School, Riverview High School School, and Oak Park Elementary School -- have all received anonymous tips prompting them to shut down over the last few days.

Lakeview Elementary School was affected three separate times.

“They are scared, they are crying. They always talk to us. ‘Mom I got scared, Mom I cried. My friends were crying and we just want you guys with us.’ It’s so sad,” says one parent, who has two elementary school kids who attend Lakeview.

The Sarasota County School District says they were able to find the person who was responsible for the fake tips. The person is a student at one of the schools, and has been charged with a felony.

Someone found guilty of making false reports of violence can face up to 10 years in prison.

[wondermint2]

Pet owners upset over planned housing development at Sandy Lane Pet Cemetery (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/02/0...-pet-cemetery/

Tom DeVol said when he buried his beloved terrier-mix Kirby at a pet cemetery located off Hagerman Road in the Arbor Trace community in 1988, it would be forever. However last month, he learned that wasn’t the case.

DeVol was surprised to find the former Sandy Lane Pet Cemetery in Sarasota, which he said also housed a kennel at one time, was being cleared for development.

“There was no notification to me, and I assume none of the other pet owners,” DeVol said.

He added that when he went to visit last month, tombstones of an estimated 100 pets were destroyed, and that the three-acre plot of land was unrecognizable. Now, he just wished he’d had time to make other plans for his best friend.

“They’ve leveled, and desecrated this,” DeVol said.

A stop work order sign was placed at the site by Sarasota County on Friday, which is now strewn with debris, including a salvaged car, debris, and trash. A spokesperson for the county confirmed that the order was put in place due to tree-removal permits not being issued.

Meanwhile, the current owner of the property declined an on-camera interview but confirmed long-term plans to clear the site and build 15 single-family homes.

A representative for a Naples-based company contracted to start initial clearing of the site said they stopped all work on the site, alleging they hadn’t been paid for work. They said they’re considering placing a lien against the land while the progress remains in limbo.

“Yes, it’s said, it’ll make you cry,” said Gail Kincaid, who told ABC7 some small circus animals were also buried at the property.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota Republican files to challenge Moran in primary for tax collector’s race

Moran raises nearly $89,000 for race through 2023

*Editor’s note: This article was updated in the early afternoon of Feb. 2 to clarify that Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates is running for re-election.

For full article:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/saras...llectors-race/