Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

We’ve lost a leader extraordinaire

For full article:

https://siestasand.us/weve-lost-a-le...xtraordinaire/

When in need of something on Siesta Key, how many times have you heard these words:
“I’ll bet you Davidson’s has that.”

The man whose business had it all certainly gave his all and did it all. For generations of residents and visitors alike, John Davidson’s name not only resonated throughout the island it seemed almost palpable. You heard it wherever you went.

One of Siesta Key’s undisputed pioneers and leaders, Davidson died peacefully Jan. 22 at age 92 having lived an exemplary life.

“Energetic, warm, friendly, generous,” were words Rita Davidson, his wife of 43 years, used to describe her husband. “He lived life to the fullest and we are grateful for that.

“He really had a fabulous life.”

The day before his death, all six of Davidson’s children were at his side for what Rita called “lots of wonderfully tender moments.”

A celebration of that life was scheduled by the family for Feb. 27 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Field Club, 1400 Field Rd., on the mainland along the Intracoastal Waterway just across from Siesta Key.

That was where he served as the club’s commodore. It was the longtime home to his Equanimity sailing boat, providing an activity along with golf, tennis and croquet that gave the hardworking Davidson a reprieve from the many business and volunteer endeavors he pursued.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Sarasota County to work on Midnight Pass

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sa...363f3315&ei=57

Sarasota County commissioners unanimously approved the initiation of a feasibility study for reopening Midnight Pass, which historically ran between Siesta Key and Casey Key to connect the Gulf of Mexico with Little Sarasota Bay.

On Sunday, Sarasota County District 4 Commissioner Joe Neunder and members of the Midnight Pass Society II talked with hundreds of locals about the next steps.

The goal is to restore the water quality of Little Sarasota Bay by opening up the waterflow in and out of the Bay to the Sea, like it was before it was closed by human intervention in 1984.

Experts will research the best possible options for restoring the health of the bay and come to a conclusion for next steps, but it will take quite a few years, and quite a lot of research.

“This is very near and dear to my heart as it is for a lot of our community here in Sarasota,” said Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Neunder. “Remembering some of the previous iterations of trying to open the Pass, I made it one of my top missions to go ahead and try and see if we can make this endeavor a little different and do some water quality initiatives, restoring a historical connection for the health and quality of the bay,” he explained.

For more information on the project, click here:

https://restoremidnightpass.org/

Community Spotlight: A busy man who takes the time to care (Interview)

For full article:

https://siestasand.us/community-spot...-time-to-care/

Mike Evanoff pursues plenty of projects, including the restoration of Midnight Pass.

[wondermint2]

Buchanan Honored for Record Protecting Wildlife, Combatting Animal Cruelty

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...Animal-Cruelty

Congressman Vern Buchanan, co-chairman of the bipartisan Animal Protection Caucus, earned a 100 percent rating in the U.S. Humane Society’s just-released 2023 legislative scorecard.

Buchanan was one of only 13 Republicans in the entire 535-member Congress to score 100 percent.

Buchanan, who co-chairs the Animal Protection Caucus in Congress, is a leading advocate for protecting endangered species and ending animal cruelty. The Humane Society has praised Buchanan, calling him “a tireless champion for animals.” The Humane Society scorecard is based on individual voting records and leadership efforts concerning key animal welfare priorities.

[wondermint2]

Gruters Pushes to Fund Selby Scientific Priorities

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...fic+Priorities

Heading into the final weeks of Session, Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, said he wants to secure funding for Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.

He has two big asks for the local institution, filing an appropriations request for $1.8 million for shoreline restoration and protection at Historic Spanish Point, and another request for $1.8 million in order to safeguard Selby Gardens’ world-class collection of orchids and bromeliads in hurricane resilient glasshouses.

The state Senator heaped high praise on leadership for the botanical gardens, especially since the 2014 hire of Jennifer Rominiecki as president and CEO.

“Since Jennifer Rominiecki has taken over, it’s like Disney World,” he said. “It’s very nice, and they’ve done all of it through non-government grants and private fundraising. This is about the state stepping up and making sure they create a safe atmosphere and a resilient one for the research going on there.

[wondermint2]

Farmers Market fills downtown with artisanal goods and produce (Photo Gallery)

For full article & photo gallery:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...oduce/#photo-8

The Sarasota Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. rain or shine. You can find a map of vendors at:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3aui2ULIaX/

[wondermint2]

AAUP sanctions New College of Florida after politically motivated “egregious and extensive violations”

For full article:

https://www.wmnf.org/aaup-sanctions-...ve-violations/

A major American academic association made up of faculty and other professionals has voted to sanction New College of Florida in Sarasota.

A news release Monday morning from the American Association of University Professors says that on Saturday “the AAUP’s Governing Council voted to add New College of Florida and another college to its “list of institutions sanctioned for substantial noncompliance with widely accepted standards of academic government.”

[wondermint2]

Officer-involved shooting reported near New College campus in Sarasota: Officials

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/r...-officials-say

An emergency alert was sent out to Florida college students after a Sarasota school said there was a shooting near campus Monday morning.

The New College of Florida asked its students to avoid University Parkway and US 41 due to what they called "police activity" in the area.

A previous post on social media said the activity was a shooting near campus and that officers are currently on the scene.

The Sarasota Police Department confirmed it was an officer-involved shooting and that the public is not in danger. The suspect is not at large, they added.

There are no other details available at this time.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

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."

Brown strikes again, nabs Boatyard

For full article:

https://siestasand.us/brown-strikes-...nabs-boatyard/

Chris Brown’s Siesta Key-area real estate portfolio continues to grow, and his recent purchase of the 2.03-acre village of businesses where the Boatyard Waterfront Bar and Grill is located adds a high-profile property that packs a punch.

“I like one-off properties that you cannot replicate,” said Brown, who paid roughly $8 million. “I also like properties that seem to have a tremendous amount of upside potential. With over 2 acres of commercially zoned waterfront land, and with almost 30,000 square feet of buildings, there definitely is upside potential.
“This seems to check all of the boxes.”

Located in the 1500 block of Stickney Point Road at the mainland base of the south bridge, the property contains deeded canal-front access to Sarasota Bay, Little Sarasota Bay and the Intracoastal Waterway and is known for spacious water views. It also features multiple tenants beyond the restaurant, including a watersports rental operation and assorted boutiques.

Brown’s acquisition, as part of the Above the Bar Hospitality Group he operates with business partner Mike Granthon, is his second major one on Siesta Key’s south end; in 2022 he purchased for $7.3 million the plaza in the 1200 block of Old Stickney Point Road that is home to Crescent Beach Market and was first built in the 1950s.

“Again, these properties do not become available for decades,” Brown said of his subsequent purchase of the Boatyard parcel.

[wondermint2]

Venice man killed, woman seriously hurt in Charlotte County crash

https://news.google.com/articles/CBM...S&ceid=US%3Aen

A 73-year-old man from Venice was killed and a 72-year-old woman was hospitalized following a crash in Charlotte County, Florida Highway Patrol troopers said.

The crash happened shortly before 7:30 p.m. in the area of El Jobean Road (State Road 776) and Biscayne Drive near Port Charlotte.

According to troopers, the 73-year-old Venice man was behind the wheel of a sedan going south on Biscayne Drive. At the same time, a pickup truck driven by a 47-year-old Port Charlotte man was going west on State Road 776 (El Joebean Road) in the left lane.

Troopers say the Venice man tried to make a left turn toward eastbound El Joebean Road and went directly in the pickup truck driver's path. As a result, the front of the pickup truck collided with the driver's side of the sedan.

After the collision, the sedan went off the roadway and hit a traffic sign in the median of State Road 776.

The 73-year-old man died at the crash site. His passenger, a 72-year-old Venice woman, was rushed to the hospital with serious injuries.

The pickup truck's driver and passenger reportedly suffered minor injuries.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota (City) Feb 25 Weekly Crime Report: 198 Incidents and 6 Crime Stories

For full article & crime map:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...-crime-stories

During the last week, Sarasota reported a total of 198 crime cases. The most prevalent type of crime was 'Suspicious Situation' with 115 reports, accounting for approximately 58% of all cases.

Other significant categories included 'Other' and 'Disturbance', each with 15 cases, 'Trespass' with 14 cases, and 'Assault' with 10 cases.

'Domestic Related' incidents and 'Theft' were also reported, with 8 and 7 cases respectively. There were also 6 instances each of 'Arrest' and 'Vandalism', while 'Burglary' was reported least frequently, with just 2 instances.

The high prevalence of 'Suspicious Situation' cases calls for heightened vigilance among residents and improved surveillance.

The data suggests a need for increased law enforcement efforts in combating trespassing and disturbances, which together made up nearly 15% of the total reported crimes. Additionally, the presence of assault and domestic related incidents, although lower in number, should not be overlooked due to their severe nature.