Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Tempers flare during Venice Council term debate

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...il-term-debate

VENICE — The City Council voted Tuesday to move forward on switching to four-year terms, but only after heated debate in which one member labeled the proposed change “corrupt,” another called for an apology and Vice Mayor Jim Boldt speculated about dropping his bid for re-election.

City Clerk Kelly Michaels presented four options for implementing the change in response to a directive given in January after Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner told the Council that holding city elections in even-numbered years would save money.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program deploys 24 artificial reefs into bay

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/yog...64c90e09&ei=41

The Sarasota Bay Estuary started the deployment of 24 artificial reefs into Sarasota Bay Tuesday.

The reefs are being placed at six sites throughout the bay in both Sarasota County and Manatee County waters, including Bayshore North Reef, Whale Key Reef, Bayshore South Reef, Walkers Reef, Harts Reef, and Sportsmans Reef.

Reef Innovations of Sarasota constructed the deep-cover reef modules. They are specially designed to attract species of fish that are popular among commercial and recreational fishermen, such as gag grouper, sheepshead and mangrove snapper.

The fish call the reef home during their juvenile years before heading back out into the bay or even offshore. The reef is designed to house a large number of fish and protect them from predators as well as people.

Videos of this here:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/34134...reefs-into-bay

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Sarasota County cuts all funds to United Way, including employee payroll deduction

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sa...on/ar-AA1nwKmX

The Sarasota County Commission voted unanimously at Tuesday’s meeting to cut ties with United Way due to its 211 helpline listing Planned Parenthood as a resource.

The first resolution removed a payroll deduction program for county employees which had allowed participants to have their money go directly to United Way or to other charities and nonprofits in the area, which United Way would facilitate.

The program’s termination affects not only United Way Suncoast – which operates in five counties, including Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto – but also the United Way of South Sarasota.

Chris Johnson, United Way of South Sarasota’s vice president of community impact, said that stopping the payroll deduction program will affect not just the United Way organizations but also the groups they facilitate donations to.

"All these other agencies with funds from the county employees will also feel that hit. They will have to absorb that somehow within their budget and operation,” Johnson said. “If they’re offering services, they will have to decide: ‘Do we have to cut services? Do we have to lessen what we do? Are we going to have to cut an employee?’”

Although commissioners framed their opposition to the payroll deduction program as a separate issue from the links to abortion providers, Johnson said commissioners never raised an issue with it until they began to make noise about public funds used to support the 211 helpline.

Video about this here:

Sarasota County cuts ties with United Way (Video)

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/34140...ith-united-way

[wondermint2]

Top male gymnasts vie for spots on 2024 USA Olympic team in Sarasota


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43vhfEvq4f4

Some of the world’s top male gymnasts are in Sarasota, training hard to secure their spots on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.

EVO Gymnastics boasts two 2020 Olympians and three other USA Senior National Team Members, some of whom have recently won gold medals in world competitions leading up to the Paris Olympics, scheduled between July 27 and Aug. 5.

For full article:

https://www.snntv.com/sarasota/top-m...m-in-sarasota/

[wondermint2]

Some mobile home residents are seeing premiums double (Video)

For video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4aX36Fh4JA

Largo resident Teri Jones emailed ABC Action News after seeing our coverage on Florida's fractured insurance market, wanting to share her experience: seeing those premiums rise every year.

"The owners of mobile and manufactures home are experiencing the same thing," she said. "I live in a 55+ community where it's no longer affordable to have insurance."

She chose to retire in a mobile home four years ago, but now she's worried about her future.

For full article:

https://www.abcactionnews.com/news/r...mes-in-florida

[wondermint2]

Do older Floridians use online dating as much as college students? This is something I'm not into - however I found the video interesting.

This video mentions that FL is ranked the 4th most dangerous state for online dating. Also mentioned is that FL is ranked 2nd for both identity theft & fraud. And FL is ranked 7th for romance scams.

Florida ranks top 5 for most dangerous places to online date; FGCU students react


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3gn-SQ9t6g

[wondermint2]

Trapped! Sarasota Master Gardeners to host UF/IFAS workshop on world of carnivorous plants

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...ivorous-plants

Discover the enchanting world of carnivorous plants and unleash your inner gardener with the “Make and Take Carnivorous Plant Bog!” workshop on May 13 hosted by the UF/IFAS Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program of Sarasota County.

The workshop features a blend of learning and hands-on fun as Master Gardeners delve into the fascinating world of carnivorous plants. Led by expert guest speaker Kenny Coogan, author of “Florida's Carnivorous Plants,” participants will be treated to an insightful talk brimming with tips and tricks for cultivating these unique species.

Coogan has a master’s degree in global sustainability and is passionate about Florida's wildlife and plants. He is a member of the International Carnivorous Plant Society, serving as the education director, and runs a carnivorous plant nursery in Tampa. There are roughly 1,000 carnivorous plants in the world and 32 native in Florida – more than any other state. These plants use appealing scents, leaves, and sticky fluids to trap insects.

The workshop will take place from 10 a.m. to noon at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, 6700 Clark Road, in Sarasota. Registration is available at:

https://eventbrite.com/e/856995896797.

Carnivorous plants have evolved a remarkable strategy in nutrient-poor soil: they catch insects. By cultivating a bog of these remarkable plants, gardeners can effectively reduce the population of mosquitoes and other pests in lanais or moist areas yards. Florida boasts a diverse array of carnivorous species, including sundews, butterworts, bladderworts, and pitcher plants, all adept at luring insects into their sticky traps with enticing scents. As the trapped insects become meals for these voracious plants, their digestive fluids absorb essential nutrients.

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County provides practical education to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. The service is a partnership between the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Sarasota County.

For regular updates on the latest news and happenings at UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County, sign up to receive e-newsletters:

https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasota/

[wondermint2]

New Jersey Mike’s Looks to Be Planned for Nokomis

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/nokomis-fl...ed-for-nokomis

Located on the southwest corner of the intersection between Laurel Road and Pinebrook Road in Nokomis , Plaza Venezia appears to be adding a Jersey Mike’s Subs to its business community. A plan review submitted by Valetsubs LLC shows a new Jersey Mike’s opening at 2470 Laurel Road East .

Behind Valetsubs LLC is franchisee Richard Leal . What Now reached out to Leal on Tuesday to inquire about plans for a new Jersey Mike’s Subs at Plaza Venezia. Leal was not immediately available for comment.

[wondermint2]

Dirty Dough Cookies to Open First Sarasota Brick-and-Mortar this Summer

https://www.newsbreak.com/sarasota-f...ar-this-summer

Unique, decadent cookies: that’s the name of the game with Dirty Dough Cookies . Founded in a “ dorm room kitchen in Tempe, AZ ” the brand has grown to encompass “franchise locations spreading across the United States”—and it’s all “founded on a simple idea—It’s what’s on the inside that counts.”

That slogan sums up the brand’s one-of-a-kind approach, serving cookies that always feature unique traits: layers, mix-ins, fillings, and more. Creative flavors include the Brookie, Raspberry Toaster Tart, Carmedoodle, and Strawberry Icebox.

As the brand grows explosively across the country, it has its sights set on a new location in Sarasota , launching at 1900 Lakewood Ranch Blvd and helmed by local franchisees—one of whom, Mike, told What Now the story of the brand’s journey to Sarasota on Tuesday.

“A friend of mine from Arizona was familiar with brand,” Mike said. “We had talked about investing in something in this area, and it sounded great because of the labor model and consistency. The dough is made centrally and shipped everywhere, then baked and decorated on-site.”

The local entrepreneurs have taken the concept on a test-drive, so to speak, in the area, with a food truck showing up in spots like Music on Main in Lakewood Ranch , where you can still find them.

“There’s not one person who doesn’t like the cookies,” Mike said. “So we’re really looking forward to being part of the community and providing a great cookie-eating experience.”

The new Dirty Dough location is expected to launch in July, Mike said.

In the meantime, you can keep up with the opening by following @dirtydoughsarasota on Instagram.

[wondermint2]

The Fresh Market opens new Manatee County store in Lakewood Ranch. Take a look inside

For full article & photos:

https://www.newsbreak.com/lakewood-r...-a-look-inside

When the doors of The Fresh Market’s newest grocery in Manatee County opened at 7:50 a.m. Wednesday, there was a crowd of several hundred people waiting to enter.

The new store in The Green shopping center, 11525 State Road 70 E., Lakewood Ranch, is the company’s third in the Bradenton area.

What shoppers found when they entered was the latest version of The Fresh Market , what Scott North, The Fresh Market vice president, called an “emotional brand,” and promised that “it will absolutely amaze you. We are passionate about food.”

Beverlyn Truehart was one of those who arrived early for the opening.

“I can’t wait. It’s a specialty store with a lot of fresh meat,” Truehart said.

Mike and Amy McCall also arrived early. High on their shipping list were produce and seafood.

The Fresh Market hosts grand opening

Todd Kerscher, regional manager, called the Lakewood Ranch store the “newest iteration of our brand” with an expanded kitchen focus on what’s for dinner.

The new store offers shoppers lots of fully prepared and partially prepared food package options. In a few minutes, families can have restaurant-quality meals ready to eat, he said.

Kerscher also pointed out the “Little Big Meal” offerings, which can easily feed a family of four for $25.

Shoppers can also choose from an array of freshly made sandwiches, salads and — a new offering — pizza, by the slice or by the pie.

“It’s just as good as any pizza you would get in New York City,” said Anthony Stuto, director of restaurants.

The meat department at The Fresh Market is very strong with many choices and prime offerings, Kerscher said.

Kerscher stopped for a moment at the bakery department, what he called “dessert heaven,” and invited shoppers to stop by during their birthday month and ask for a free slice of birthday cake.

“We are going to offer the finest quality products at a good value in a warm and welcoming environment,” he said.

Heidi Johnson, store manager, said the store has a staff of 150.

Other features of the new store include:

▪ In-house smoked pit barbecue: fresh brisket, ribs and pork.

▪ Large variety of scooping salads, olive bar and soup station.

▪ Full and self-service coffee stations with a variety of drink options, including iced and hot coffees, lattes, mochas, hot tea and smoothies.

▪ Expanded craft beer selection, including local offerings.

The Lakewood Ranch store is The Fresh Market’s 162nd nationwide and third in Manatee County.

Other Manatee County stores are at 6701 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, which opened in 2012, and 5251 University Parkway, which opened in 2008.