Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Hmm IMO this sounds like Walmart is going after some Trader Joe's customers with some upscale chic items (with their new private label brand called "Bettergoods").

Walmart launches store-label food brand, most items under $5

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...c73d40b6&ei=66

Walmart is launching the U.S. retailer’s biggest store-label food brand in 20 years in terms of the breadth of items, seeking to appeal to younger customers who are not loyal to grocery brands and want chef-inspired foods that are more affordably priced.

The brand, called Bettergoods, is just hitting Walmart stores and the company’s online shopping site. Walmart said Tuesday it expects to have 300 products in the line by the fall, including frozen foods, dairy items, snacks, beverages, pastas, soups, coffee and chocolate. The prices range from under $2 to under $15, with most products costing under $5.

The Bettergoods line is divided into three categories: plant-based options like desserts made with oat milk and non-dairy cheeses; products catering to other dietary lifestyles, such as gluten-free, or made without artificial flavors, colorings or added sugars; and “culinary experiences.” The last category features items like creamy corn jalapeno chowder and pasta from Italy.

The launch from the country’s largest retailer comes as inflation has driven shoppers to seek less-expensive alternatives, lifting the popularity of private-label brands.

[wondermint2]

Around Town | Dr. Michael P. Crosby, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium President & CEO

For full article:

https://scenesarasota.com/magazine/a...president-ceo/

Sporting a natty sea captain’s beard, the man at the helm of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium not only looks like he came right out of central casting, but he is the perfect choice to steer what is a vitally important global ark of marine science and technology.

Dr. Michael Crosby has worked tirelessly and successfully for more than a decade to expand and solidify Mote’s role as a global leader of science, leading the best and brightest minds in marine science and engineering to solve the major challenges of our oceans and coastal ecosystems. His goal is for Southwest Florida to soon be the Silicon Valley of Science & Technology, and he needs the generosity of many to push the frontiers of marine science and achieve his vision.

We are thankful Dr. Crosby graciously agreed to take time from his busy schedule to answer our questions, so please, dive in!

[wondermint2]

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital broke ground on a freestanding emergency center in the Wellen Park residential community

For photo:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hc...ab79313f&ei=28

HCA Florida Englewood Hospital, Sarasota County and North Port city officials held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday to formally begin construction on a freestanding emergency department.

The HCA Florida Wellen Park Emergency center will be constructed at the corner of Tamiami Trail and Preto Boulevard at 7070 S Tamiami Trail in Venice.

The 11,300 square foot freestanding emergency department will be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is expected to serve more than 10,000 patients annually. The facility will feature 11 exam rooms and offer full-service emergency care, including laboratory, x-rays, CT scanning and ultrasound capabilities.

The new $31 million emergency center is anticipated to open in spring 2025, the 40th anniversary of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital.
“Today, we have taken another step forward to expand access to high-quality emergency care in the rapidly growing south Sarasota County region,” said Joe Rudisill, Chief Executive Officer of HCA Florida Englewood Hospital. “From emergency care to hospital care, we will continue to build to match the community’s healthcare needs as it grows.”

This project connects the Wellen Park residential community to HCA Florida Healthcare services already available in Sarasota County and across the state at more than 650 affiliated sites of care.

[wondermint2]

Troopers arrest 84-year-old Bradenton man after fatal State Road 70 hit-and-run crash

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime...d=BingNewsSerp

The Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide division has arrested John Arthur Sanfanandre, of Bradenton, for leaving the scene of a crash involving death on Wednesday.

On March 22, the 84-year-old hit a bicyclist and fled the scene, according to authorities.

The bicyclist sustained serious injuries, was transported to Blake Hospital, and pronounced dead one day later.

Sanfanandre was booked into the Manatee County Jail.

[wondermint2]

This was posted online about 2 hours ago. So I'm not sure if this lane closure is still ongoing.

First Alert Traffic: Five-car crash reduces US 41 to one lane in Sarasota

For photo:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/05/0...lane-sarasota/

The southbound lanes of US 41 at Waldemere are down to one lane due to a crash involving five vehicles.

The lane closure is anticipated to last one hour, at least.

Sarasota Police are on scene.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office wrangles gator in parking lot of Bee Ridge/Sawyer business (Video)

For video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/05/0...outputType=amp

A gator out and about on the streets of Florida isn’t exactly breaking news, but Carl Wise said the creature gave customers of his wife’s business a fright.

Wise’s wife owns a business called Take Care of Sarasota near the intersection of Bee Ridge Road and Sawyer Road. Earlier Wednesday morning, the gator was prowling the parking lot and hiding underneath cars.

Sarasota County Sheriff’s deputies and Animal Control responded and managed to safely wrangle the gator to take him to a new location.

In Florida, we are in the early beginnings of alligator mating season, so you may see the animals out and about more than normal. If you see one that is posing a threat to humans or other animals, call Florida Fish and Widlife’s Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286).

[wondermint2]

Opinion - Want to meddle in how Sarasota Memorial is run? Be prepared for a scary diagnosis.

This is an opinion piece by David Kotok - the co-founder and chief investment officer of Cumberland Advisors in Sarasota. (The opinions expressed in Kotok's guest column are solely his and do not represent the views of Cumberland Advisors, Cumberland’s management, employees or clients).

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/oth...552e17b5&ei=14

The possibility of interference in the medical operational structure of Sarasota Memorial Hospital has been an ongoing topic in the local political arena. It has been reported that some folks want SMH to operate without adhering to federal standards. Instead, they want the hospital to follow certain guidelines issued by a controversial state physician who is operating with Tallahassee’s acquiescence – and who has suggested ignoring or bypassing federal rules and recommendations.

Another element lurking in the background is a politically motivated movement to privatize Sarasota Memorial into a for-profit institution. This is not the first attempt: I contributed to the effort to protect SMH when privatization was previously under consideration.

I believe the relevant concerns about this can be divided into two categories: financial and health care.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County may raise residents' fees for trash collection as it switches providers

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...552e17b5&ei=21

As Sarasota County plans to switch to new providers for garbage collection in 2025, officials are preparing residents for changes, which could include fee increases.

The county’s 20-year partnership with its previous provider, Waste Management, will end. Waste Pro of Florida and FCC Environmental Services have signed four-year contracts, beginning on March 31, 2025 for collection services.

“Service for residents living in unincorporated Sarasota County and businesses operating in unincorporated Sarasota County will be included in the changes,” according to a county press release. “However, those living or operating in the cities of Sarasota, Venice, North Port or the Town of Longboat Key will not be affected by the new hauler contracts.”

The two providers will split services across two districts of unincorporated Sarasota County. Waste Pro will cover the North District, which encompasses the area north of State Road 72 and east of Midnight Pass Road. FCC Environmental will cover the South District, which covers coastal areas and extends into eastern Sarasota County.

The county will pay FCC Environmental Services $7.1 million over a four-year contract; Waste Pro will receive $5.8 million over the same timeframe, according to county records.

The county still distinguishes waste collection by property use – with Class I for single-family homes and multiplexes up to 9 units and Class II for apartment and condominium buildings, as well as mobile homes. However, the county will hold a public hearing on May 7 to determine whether to amend the ordinance that properties with curbside garbage pickup would be Class I and properties with central collection services – such as a Dumpster – would be Class II.

Sarasota County considers higher garbage fees

The County Commission will decide whether to impose proposed service fee hikes at a May 7 meeting. For Class I households, the increase would be $2.53 a month, or $30.36 a year. For Class II households, it would be an increase of $2.14 a month, or $25.68 a year.

In a memo to the county administrator, Solid Waste Director Brian Usher wrote that an evaluation by his department found that the current rates would not cover the projected requirements over the next five years – which increased 24% over current rates since the new collection firms were contracted.

The evaluation said some of the primary reasons for the rate recommendations were the “increase in cost associated with the franchise collection contract” and an increase in improvement programs.

[wondermint2]

More than $187 million in government and nonprofit requests made for Resilient SRQ grants

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mo...552e17b5&ei=24

Sarasota County has received more than $187.6 million in grant requests for just the $70 million portion of the $201.5 million Resilient SRQ federal grant program allocated for government and nonprofit requests.

The Sarasota County Commission is scheduled to review the requests May 22.

When the County Commission starts awarding funds, it can choose to partially fund a request, though all of the federal funding must be spent by Feb. 28, 2030, or six years after the grant agreement was executed.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development awarded the $201.5 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funding to Sarasota County to aid in long-term recovery from the impact of Hurricane Ian.

The third most costly hurricane in the U.S., behind Katrina in 2005 and Harvey in 2017 − and costliest ever in Florida − Ian made landfall Sept. 28. 2022.

The federal government requires that 70% of the funding must be used to benefit low to moderate income residents, defined as households making up to 80% of the area median income.

It also must meet a HUD national objective, such as benefitting low to moderate income people; have an urgent need; or prevent or eliminate slum or blight.

About $70 million for public facilities and nonprofits, while $101.5 million is allocated for housing programs, including $40 million meant to pay for new multifamily housing, $40 million for home reconstruction, $15 million meant to offset the cost of hurricane damage repairs and $6.5 million to buy out structures that cannot be repaired, with those parcels becoming public land.

Another $15 million in economic recovery funding will be directed toward improving career and trades training, while $5 million was set aside for planning and $10 million to administer the funding and ensure that it’s spent properly.

So far Sarasota County has opened applications for the public facilities/nonprofits, as well as for entities interested in receiving a portion of the $40 million earmarked for new multifamily housing.

The cutoff for submission for the housing funds was May 1.

[wondermint2]

Judge defers decision on request to dismiss lawsuit against Sarasota Commissioner Battie

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ju...552e17b5&ei=41

After one of Sarasota’s continuing political controversies moved from city hall to the courthouse, a judge this week said he will issue a written order on whether to dismiss a lawsuit against Commissioner Kyle Battie by local activist Kelly Franklin.

Lawyers for Battie and Franklin, respectively, argued before Sarasota Circuit Judge Stephen Walker and about a dozen spectators in a seventh-floor courtroom at the downtown Silvertooth Justice Center on Tuesday.

On the docket: Whether to dismiss a lawsuit against Battie, which contends he defamed and inflicted emotional distress on Franklin, a local activist, when he publicly accused her of posting a racist message about him on Facebook.

The legal dispute did not focus on the post’s validity. Franklin maintains that it was a hoax and that the commissioner was involved in a plot to destroy her credibility.

Brian Goodrich, of the local firm Bentley Goodrich Kison, argued on behalf of Battie in a 20-minute opening statement. Since the commissioner spoke out during a City Commission meeting as part of a meeting agenda item, Goodrich argued, the commissioner has immunity from legal action.

Richard Harrison, a Tampa-based attorney representing Franklin, asserted that Battie used a public platform to air personal grievances. The dispute over the post, and Battie's feelings on it, were not city business and the commissioner is not entitled to legal protection just because he made his comments at a city meeting, Harrison argued.