Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

I also noticed there are more rentals available locally compared to the peak of about a year or two ago.

Has housing market inventory in Southwest Florida finally turned a corner?

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...d8d5b749&ei=36

Among the most significant characteristics of the real estate industry in recent years has been the consistent and ongoing decline in new listings entering the market and corresponding available inventory for sale. On a national level, what was historically considered a balanced market (approximately six months of standing inventory) dropped to just over two months in early 2022. Even with the lowest level of closed sales nationally since 2008 last year with fewer buyers competing, available inventory nationally remained incredibly low.

Throughout much of Florida, including nearby markets such as Tampa and Orlando, standing months of inventory remain comparable to national levels and are moving in tandem. However, in Sarasota and Naples, we are witnessing something far different, which implies we have turned a corner. In both cities, the number of homes currently on the market has increased approximately 60% since January 2023 and between 300% to 500% over January 2022.

Months of inventory have risen to approximately six, indicating we are becoming balanced once again. Yet within those numbers, there is price stratification: moderately priced homes come in at around three months while multimillion-dollar residences top over one year. In essence, if no other home entered the market, the latter would take over one year to sell the current inventory, assuming consistent demand levels.

The reality is that markets such as Sarasota and Naples tend to be far more elective in nature with a high degree of second-home activity. Accordingly, they are subject to greater swings in both demand and supply and tend to overshoot in either direction. In addition, we may surmise that for the first time in three years, the upward pressure on prices may be subsiding.

For buyers who have been on the sidelines, there are simply more choices and opportunity to refinance sooner than later, based on expectations of declining rates in the second half of the year. For sellers, it is a dose of reality: it is no longer 2021 and the aspiration of obtaining more for one’s home than the neighbor who sold last year is increasingly unrealistic. In fact, we are witnessing far more price reductions early in the listing period to align more rapidly with true market values, heightening appeal among the expanding options.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota STRIVE student overcomes challenges, assesses risk

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/oth...d8d5b749&ei=39

Aryana Lovely plans to pursue a career in risk-management insurance. That might sound like a curiously specific career path for a high school senior, but Aryana knows risk well and has honed her ability to assess situations and proceed accordingly.

A student at Venice High School and a 2024 recipient of a STRIVE Award, which recognizes seniors and juniors who have overcome challenges to succeed, Aryana was two years old when she was placed in the care of her grandparents to avoid the foster system.

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*About the Education Foundation of Sarasota County & the STRIVE Awards

For 35 years, the Education Foundation of Sarasota County (EdFoundationSRQ.org) has supported students and teachers because education transforms lives. As a champion for life readiness, the Education Foundation provides personalized, comprehensive resources and relationships so that students can find their purpose and progress intentionally through their K – 12 schooling. Its mission is to enhance the potential of students, promote excellence in teaching, and inspire innovation in education, guided by strategic philanthropy.

The STRIVE Awards were born out of H. Jack Hunkele’s vision to recognize students who have overcome tremendous challenges to succeed in life. Learn more about the STRIVE Awards and this year’s remarkable recipients at EdFoundationSRQ.org/STRIVE.

[wondermint2]

35th annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...d8d5b749&ei=63

Pizza, calzones and cannoli are just a few of my favorite foods that should be on the massive menu at the 35th annual Venice Italian Feast & Carnival. Presented by the Italian American Club of Venice, the multi-day feast also features thrill rides, games, bands and other live entertainment.

The festival continues at noon today (Sunday, Feb 24, 2024) Venice Airport, 150 Airport Ave. E., Venice; $10 parking, $5 per person walk-in; italianamericanclubofvenice.com/feast

Bands continue on Sunday with Tiger Blue Band and License to Chill. Accordionist Joe Cerrito in the food tent areas.

[wondermint2]

I didn't see any cities from Sarasota/Manatee County on this list?

Cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Florida

Stacker compiled a list of cities with the fastest-growing home prices in Florida using data from Zillow. Cities are ranked by the dollar change in the Zillow Home Values Index for all homes from the 12 months ending January 2024. The charts in this story were created automatically using Matplotlib. Data was available for 50 cities and towns in Florida.

For the full list:

https://stacker.com/florida/cities-f...prices-florida

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*This probably explains why there weren't any cities from the above list in our area. Each city in our area from the link below has an easy to understand graph. It's clear home prices in our area peaked in mid-2022:

Cities with the most expensive homes in the North Port/Sarasota/Bradenton metro area

For the full list:

https://stacker.com/florida/north-po...t-metro-area-0

[wondermint2]

Town looks to grow community open house this year

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ty-open-house/

The town of Longboat Key is hosting its Community Open House from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9 at the Town Center Green.

Assistant to the Town Manager Susan Phillips is currently coordinating the event and is looking for participants. Any part of the community is invited to participate, she said, including town government departments, nonprofit organizations and local businesses.

The event will have live music at the pavilion, food trucks and local businesses providing refreshments.

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*Phillips already has a long list of participants, but is looking to round up anyone else interested soon in order to finalize the layout of the event.

For more information or to join, contact sphillips@longboatkey.org or call 941-316-1955.

[wondermint2]

February’s DUI patrol nets 5 impaired drivers in Manatee

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/02/2...ivers-manatee/

Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells has announced the results of February’s DUI Saturation Patrol, and the numbers have actually gone up.

In January, Manatee deputies arrested 3 impaired drivers, but that climbed to 5 in February.

The number of non-DUI citations, however, decreased from 65 to just 40.

[wondermint2]

Saturday morning bank robber eludes law enforcement

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...-sarasota-bank

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is searching for a man who entered a bank and demanded money from a teller Saturday morning.

Deputies responded to the Fifth Third Bank, located at 6265 Tuttle Avenue along University Parkway after the robbery occurred around 10:52 a.m.

The man allegedly left the bank and ran northbound towards University Parkway after taking an undisclosed amount of money.

No injuries were reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigations Section at 941-861-4900 or Crime Stoppers at 941-366-8477.

This remains an ongoing investigation.

[wondermint2]

Letters to the Editor - People in Sarasota still love going to movies. Why won't you make it easier to see them?

For today's full 'Letters to the Editor' column from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune:

https://news.yahoo.com/people-saraso...090251117.html

What about local movie listings?

Why can’t the Herald-Tribune show what movies are playing each day at our local theaters?

You must think all of us are so computer literate that we can find that information ourselves. That is simply not the case.

The Herald-Tribune uses a lot of space telling us the locations of the theaters. But we all know where the theaters are located, so that’s useless information.

Please, consider adding what movies are playing on a daily basis.

This would create more people going to the movies, which would certainly make the local theater owners happier as well.

[wondermint2]

Manatee Sheriff's Office victim advocates go beyond the call of duty for homeless mother

For today's full 'Vin's People' column from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/33459...omeless-mother

A belated bow to Sandra Dickerman, Spancha Pompey and Leticia Vela who have consistently gone above and beyond as compassionate Victim Advocates with the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office.

Last fall they did a beautiful thing for a single mother and disabled child living in a car.

After getting the case, Pompey determined the pair needed resources beyond those normally covered by the MCSO Victim Advocate Unit. She and Dickerman, the unit manager, raised donations for a short-term hotel stay before finally locating an unfurnished apartment, making sure it was safe for a disabled child.

Then, after raising more donations for the required deposits and furnishings, Pompey, Dickerman and Vela spent their own money on cleaning supplies and household items, preparing the apartment for the family.

The deserving trio were January’s MCSO Employees of the Month.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County names new director of utilities

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/33456...r-of-utilities

Sarasota County has named Brooke Bailey as the new director of Sarasota County Public Utilities, county officials announced recently.

Bailey replaces longtime director Michael Mylett, who retired in November.

"We are the in midst of major projects in Public Utilities, and Brooke is without a doubt the best person to lead the team into the future. Her passion for improvement, her dedication to service and her professional knowledge will serve our community well,” County Administrator Jonathan Lewis wrote in a recent media release.

Bailey joined Sarasota County in 2021, relocating from Wichita, Kansas, where she was the Operations Manager and Lab Director at a Water Treatment Facility serving over half a million residents, the release states.

In her previous role with Sarasota County, she oversaw water treatment operations, planning, permitting, and compliance.

The Public Utilities Department provides drinking water to over 128,000 Sarasota County customers. Public Utilities employees provide a safe water supply, flood protection, water quality and maintain Sarasota County’s natural resources and systems.

Public Utilities maintains and services over 1,400 miles of drinking water pipes and approximately 100,000 water connections throughout Sarasota County, and works to balance customer needs with the needs of the environment to manage Sarasota County’s water in the best way possible.

For more information, visit scgov.net or call 311.