Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Another Sarasota pedestrian bites the dust. Sarasota for various reasons is just riskier for pedestrians than most other places. And this includes pedestrians on foot and also bicycles. Be careful out there!

Fatal DUI Collision in Sarasota Leads to Arrest and Community Mourning

For full article:

https://original.newsbreak.com/@flor...unity-mourning

Florida Highway Patrol troopers have reported a somber incident on Clark Road, Sarasota, where a local man was arrested for driving under the influence, leading to a fatal collision. Douglas Cisler, 59, was driving a pickup truck eastbound on Tuesday evening when he struck a 66-year-old man crossing the street. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene, marking a tragic event in the community.

As the investigation continues, the Florida Highway Patrol has revealed that Cisler was apprehended and booked into the Sarasota County Jail on suspicions of DUI. The crash occurred near the intersection with Derek Road around 7 p.m., and troopers are actively piecing together the circumstances of the unfortunate incident.

[wondermint2]

Local animal rescue still recovering from Hurricane Ian

This weekend, Second Chance Ranch Rescue is hosting a unique fundraiser to get them back on track.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDysS8qsRGY

Discover how a local animal rescue in Manatee County is rallying to recover from Hurricane Ian. With a roof blown off and no insurance, the community steps up with donations, volunteering, and a unique golf ball drop fundraiser to help the animals.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

What to know in Manatee: A challenge to wetlands policy, waste hauler contract in review

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/wh...886a2593&ei=34

A former commissioner is challenging policy changes by Manatee County approved earlier this year that cut protections for wetlands.

Manatee County commissioners met Tuesday for a public meeting, where they decided to hire an outside counsel to represent them in the matter.

Commissioners also discussed a possible contract extension to the waste hauling contract and approved a gap funding loan for a new affordable multifamily housing project.

More details here:

Petition Filed Challenging Reduction of Local Wetland Protections

Former County Commissioner and TBT publisher Joe McClash argues that changes to the local wetland protections are inconsistent with the county's comprehensive plan and not in the best interest of the general public.

For full article:

https://thebradentontimes.com/storie...tections,62511

Former Manatee County Commissioner and TBT publisher Joseph McClash has filed a petition with the Division of Administrative Hearings challenging the county commission’s October vote to amend the county’s Comprehensive Plan reducing local wetland buffer protections to state minimums.

First reported by the Herald-Tribune, the request for a formal administrative hearing on the matter was submitted to DOAH on Nov. 6 by McClash.

McClash said he filed the request for the administrative hearing because the commission’s decision to lessen the environmental protections lacked scientific justification as well as benefit to the general public.

"The public provided overwhelming testimony including studies to prove the actions cannot be supported, but still the board approved the measure,” he added.

During a BOCC meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 14, Manatee County commissioners approved a request by the county attorney's office to retain Tampa-based GrayRobinson Law Firm as outside counsel in the matter. The agenda item was passed on the meeting’s consent agenda.

[wondermint2]

Longboat Key maps out 5 years of environmental initiatives

The town’s first cohesive environmental action plan sets the groundwork for years of initiatives and education campaigns.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...l-initiatives/

About two or three years ago, Longboat Key lacked an organized environmental effort.

That was before the town appointed Support Services Director Carolyn Brown to take charge of environmental initiatives. And Brown really took the ball and ran with it, according to Mayor Ken Schneier.

Now, Longboat Key has the chance to set an example and become “champion” environmental stewards with a newly-introduced Environmental Action Plan.

[wondermint2]

Thanksgiving travel: Expect busy airports and roads in Sarasota-Manatee; here are tips

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...ps/ar-AA1kaL1p

Busier than ever highways and airports are forecast for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday travel next week, and travel experts and airline officials say they're doing what they can to help millions of travelers arrive safely to their destinations.

The heavy levels of travel are expected to continue at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport this holiday, too.

The airport has seen a rapid increase in passengers in the past few years, with an 8.6% increase in travel traffic compared to October last year, said Mark Stuckey, airport executive vice president and chief of staff.

"For the month of November, we've had 5% more scheduled seats over the previous year. It's a little bit higher number and we are planning for that. We know exactly what’s coming in and what’s going out, so we've added extra staffing. We are ready and have a plan in place," Stuckey said.

The airport will see approximately 20,000 seats per day leading up to and through Thanksgiving. Still, this holiday week won't be as busy as the peak month of March at Sarasota-Bradenton, Stuckey said.

"We're making accommodations for additional parking. There are usually more vehicles parked here as people travel to visit families and friends for Thanksgiving. We expect everything to go off without a hitch and to run quite smoothly throughout the week," he said.

[wondermint2]

Best US destination for snowbirds? This Sarasota County city nabbed the crown, study says

For full article:

https://news.yahoo.com/best-us-desti...163500793.html

Venice was crowned the best destination for snowbirds, according to a study done by StorageCafe, a nationwide storage space marketplace.

Known as “The Shark Tooth Capital of the World,” it has garnered much love for Caspersen Beach, birdwatching, and its buzzing entertainment scene. Eight out of the top 10 cities were – maybe not so shockingly – in Florida.

The StorageCafe study looks at U.S. cities with populations bigger than 10,000 and analyzed 215 warm-weather cities. The analysis uses 18 “snowbirding” metrics, including beaches, golf courses, October-March average temperature, and available vacant housing.

What makes Venice the top destination?

Balmy weather, a high number of available housing units, golf courses, and a strong health sector are reasons Venice landed in the top spot, according to the study.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota Memorial Hospital breaks ground on $220 million Cancer Pavilion

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ncer-pavilion/

Sarasota Memorial Hospital took the next step on Nov. 15 toward expanding its cancer care with a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction of a new Cancer Pavilion at the Sarasota campus.

It is the third premier facility in the expanding Jellison Cancer Institute.

The new, seven-story Cancer Pavilion is being built across the street from the inpatient/surgical Oncology Tower that opened on the SMH-Sarasota campus Nov. 15, 2021.

When the new Cancer Pavilion opens in late 2025, the 200,000-square-foot facility will support a continuum of cancer care — from prevention, screening and diagnosis to treatment, clinical trials, survivorship care and lifetime support.

It will offer outpatient services, including:

[wondermint2]

A feel good story!

Students surprised by Sarasota Police Department

Students with Booker High School’s Law Academy were given a surprise gift while learning about law enforcement. A partnership with community member Deb Kabinoff and the Sarasota Police Foundation made the surprise possible.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En6UIY9k6Ao

[wondermint2]

County and City of Sarasota announce modified operating schedules for Thanksgiving observance

For full list:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/count...ng-observance/

Most County and City of Sarasota Government offices, including recreation centers, libraries and the county’s Historical Resources Center, along with the Sarasota County University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension and Sustainability (UF/IFAS) office, will be closed Thursday, Nov. 23, and Friday, Nov. 24, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday, the staffs have announced.

All county solid waste facilities, including the Central County Landfill, the Citizens’ Convenience Center and the Chemical Collection Centers, will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23.

Because of Thanksgiving Day, collection schedules for garbage, recycling and yard waste will make a one-day shift for both county and city customers, news releases point out. No service will be provided in the city or county on Thursday, Nov. 23.

The county’s Breeze Transit administrative offices and ticket outlets will be closed, and the standard routes and Breeze Plus will not be operating, a news release says.

However, the Siesta Key Breeze trolley and Breeze OnDemand will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24, which are modified hours, the county release adds.

[wondermint2]

Saying Brian Laundrie's parents weren't involved in covering up his murder of Gabby Petito is like saying OJ is innocent.

Laundrie Vs. Petito FL Lawsuit: Attorney Asks Judge To Block Testimony

For full article:

https://patch.com/florida/sarasota/a...lock-testimony

The attorney for Gabby Petito's killer, Brian Laundrie, and his parents has asked a Florida judge to deny a motion that would force him to speak about private conversations they had before Laundrie shot himself.

Petito was killed at the hands of Brian Laundrie, her fiancé, in August 2021. He strangled her to death and left her body at a Wyoming campsite while they were on a cross-country trip.

Attorney Steven Bertolino, who represents the Laundries, argued he should be allowed to maintain his attorney-client privilege, he confirmed to Patch Friday night.

An attorney for Petito's parents, Joseph Petito and Nichole Schmidt, is seeking to force Bertolino, to testify about his communications with Brian Laundrie.

The legal maneuver is part of the ongoing lawsuit filed against Laundrie's parents, Christopher and Roberta Laundrie, which alleges they intentionally inflicted emotional distress on Petito's family because they knew about her slaying before her body was found and tried to help their son run from the law.