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Due to dry conditions and an increase chance of fire hazards, Sarasota County is now under a burn ban.
All outdoor burning is prohibited unless a permit is issued and is applicable for the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County and City of Sarasota.
Should a wildfire happen those nearby are urged to follow the directions from authorities, which may include evacuations.
Sarasota County Fire Department to take the following actions to protect their families and homes from fire danger:
- Create three zones of defensible space around your home or business.
- Clear trash and dead vegetation from the yard.
- Remove leaves and debris from roof, gutters and under decks.
- Have a plan and an emergency preparedness kit packed in case you need to evacuate quickly, especially if your home is near wildlands.
- Monitor local media for updates on road closures, smoke conditions and other hazards.
- Use extreme caution when grilling, camping and discarding cigarettes.
- Don’t use anything (i.e. lawn mowers) that may create sparks outside on dry, windy days.
If you see something, say something! Call 911 if you see fire in your area.
Sarasota County has imposed its burn ban ordinance because of dry local conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.
The measure took effect May 3.
Though Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties are experiencing only “abnormally dry” rather than drought conditions according to the latest information from the U.S. Drought Monitor, Sarasota County currently has a score between 500 and 549 on the Keetch-Byram drought index, which is a continuous reference for soil dryness.
Rodney Wynn, a forecaster with the National Weather Service in Ruskin noted that rainfall at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport for the year is at 9.67 inches – which is 0.66 inches below the normal rainfall level of 10.33 inches.
However, 2023 was the driest year on record for the Sarasota-Bradenton area, according to the weather service, with a rainfall deficit of almost 2 feet.
Regular summer rains typically don't begin until June.
Sarasota County’s ordinance calls for a burn ban to automatically go into effect and prohibit almost all open burning when that index is at or higher than 500.
The Sarasota County ban automatically includes the city of Sarasota.
City of Venice Fire Rescue Chief Frank Giddens issued a similar citywide recreational burn ban Monday.
Dave Ingalls, a District Chief with North Fort Fire Rescue noted that the city mirrors the same criteria used by Florida Forest Service to enact a ban. That criteria calls for a ban to be enacted when the index is between 575 and 600.
North Port already prohibits open burning with the exception of permitted burns that go through proper Forest Service approval with an official burn permit issued.
“Our last ban was in 2022,” Ingalls wrote. “But it appears we may be headed that way and could be following (Sarasota County) shortly with a ban unless we get some more much needed rain.”
Opinion: Wellen Park residents should band together, and take over the North Port City Council, Mayorship, & Vice-Mayorship by contesting every office up for election.
This way they can control what happens in their community, & change any laws that are detrimental to them, (so long as it doesn't interfere with any County, or State laws).
They lost their fight against City Hall, so now they need to take it over...through elections.
note: I'm not in the Wellen Park/North Port special taxing district & have been advising potential buyers here on C-D of its existence for ~5yrs now.
Quote:
Originally Posted by wondermint2
Opinion - De-annexation is dead. North Port is united
Opinion piece by Phil Stokes (Vice-Mayor North Port)
After nearly four years, the movement to de-annex West Villages (Wellen Park) from the city of North Port has come to an end. The Florida 2nd District Court of Appeals denied WV4RG’s appeal to overturn Judge Brewer’s ruling, and voted in favor North Port.
West Villagers can now move forward as a welcome and significant part of the second-fastest-growing city in America. The development of Wellen Park, which is one-third built out, has helped put North Port on the map as one of the country’s most dynamic and attractive places to live.
Venice voters will choose between at least two new faces for Seat 3 on the City Council this November, with incumbent Helen Moore declining to seek a third term, while the Seat 4 incumbent, Vice Mayor Jim Boldt, plans to seek a second term on council.
Moore has met one of two people who have filed to succeed her in Seat 3, Kevin Engelke, but not the other candidate, Patricia Ouellette.
While Engelke and Ouellette have not knowingly crossed paths yet either, both live on the island of Venice and both are members of the Venice Yacht Club.
Moore, a Realtor with Michael Saunders & Company, called the requirement to serve on Venice City Council “a heavy lift.”
“I have to work for a living. I feel like all I did is work and work and then go home and do homework (for council) to keep working,” she added.
Moore also pointed to an increased injection of party politics in council races as another disincentive to run for a third and final term.
“I don’t like the way the politics has changed things in recent years,” Moore said. “It’s bitter, divisive, it’s rude.”
Boldt still has unfinished business
Boldt, who filed to run in March, said there are still a few things he wants to see accomplished.
“We have projects in the works but they’re not finished,” Boldt said. “Everything from the Northeast Park to widening Laurel Road – one of the big ones I have concerns on is where the wages are of our public safety people.
After nearly four years, the movement to de-annex West Villages (Wellen Park) from the city of North Port has come to an end. The Florida 2nd District Court of Appeals denied WV4RG’s appeal to overturn Judge Brewer’s ruling, and voted in favor North Port.
West Villagers can now move forward as a welcome and significant part of the second-fastest-growing city in America. The development of Wellen Park, which is one-third built out, has helped put North Port on the map as one of the country’s most dynamic and attractive places to live.
Some more details (no paywall)
Second District Court of Appeal rules with North Port on effort to contract city limits
A Florida appeals court has ruled for the city of North Port, signaling that a long-running legal fight over a grassroots effort to push North Port to contract its boundaries may be nearing an end.
Growth in Wellen Park has helped push North Port to the top of many lists for fast growing cities, including one by Southern Living Magazine.
A Florida appeals court has ruled for the city of North Port, signaling that a long-running legal fight over a grassroots effort to push North Port to contract its boundaries may be nearing an end.
Growth in Wellen Park has helped push North Port to the top of many lists for fast growing cities, including one by Southern Living Magazine.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal declined to overrule a lower court judge's decision upholding the city’s denial of a citizen petition to contract the city limits.
The appellate decision last Friday came 10 days after a three-judge panel of Stevan Northcutt, Nelly Khouzam and Robert Morris heard arguments in the case and asked attorneys on both sides to submit briefs.
The judges were asking for clarification as to why the panel still had jurisdiction on the de-annexation case, after implementation of new state laws that changed the process of municipal contraction from a court-like process to a legislative one.
But their decision to act quickly left John Meisel, president of the West Villagers for Responsible Government, the group behind the de-annexation effort, perplexed.
“We are completely stunned and flabbergasted at the court’s ruling, especially when the court stated that they wanted supplemental briefs and spent the entirety of the hearing with questions related to concerns about their authority as to whether it was a quasi-judicial or legislative decision,” Meisel said of the court's hearing. “Then they don’t even follow up on their requests for supplemental briefs but then they issue a ruling without any explanation.”
The citizens group has 15 days from the May 3 ruling to ask the court for a written ruling with an explanation of its reasoning.
Meisel stopped short of saying the residents would do so.
“We’re reviewing all legal options,” Meisel said. “We’re not done seeking our constitutional right afforded us under the statute.”
In an email informing city commissioners of the decision, North Port City Attorney Amber Slayton wrote: “While we have always been confident in the City’s legal position related to all aspects of this contraction petition, this has been a multi-year process that has cost the City a great deal of time and money.
“It is gratifying to see that the legal battle is almost over and that the City is likely to prevail as expected,” she added.
The Sarasota County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources announced its new Bridge-to-Bridge Bay Slam, a catch-and-release fishing tournament for non-motorized vessels.
The tournament will take place on Saturday, May 18, on Sarasota Bay.
The event kicks off with a pre-tournament meeting on Friday, May 17, 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at the Phillippi Estate Park pavilion, 5500 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota.
Anglers should bring their own gear and kayak to have the opportunity to fish for Red Drum, Spotted Seatrout and Snook. Each angler must catch and release one of each species, and the largest overall length of all three species combined will be the winner.
Fishing begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 18, covering the expansive Sarasota Bay from the Coon Key Bridge and Ringling Causeway to Blackburn Pointe Bridge.
Photo submissions will be scored at 2 p.m. with results announced at 4 p.m.
This tournament offers a unique opportunity for anglers to showcase their skills and compete in a friendly environment. The event is supported by the generous donations of Economy Tackle, Dolphin Paddle Sports, CBs Outfitters, All About Fishing, Kayaking SRQ and Paradise Adventures.
Registration is now open with a fee of $45 per angler. Anglers must complete registration by 5 p.m. on May 17 to secure their spot. Onsite registration will not be available because of a limited entry of up to 100 anglers.
The tournament features three divisions to accommodate anglers of all ages: Small Fry (ages 9 and younger), Junior (ages 10-17) and Open (ages 18 and older).
Scoring will be based on a catch, measure and photo and release method, promoting marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices. Register here:
In reference to “Constituent can’t reach Steube,” a letter published March 31: As the elected representative for Florida’s 17th congressional district, I take seriously my duty to serve Floridians in Sarasota, Charlotte and Lee counties.
I value your opinions and can personally assure you, the phone calls and letters of every single constituent are taken into consideration. Even if you leave a voicemail for my office outside of business hours, we take down your message and ensure your voice is heard.
I often hear from Floridians who have been given the “runaround” by federal agencies, particularly the VA and Social Security administration. Many times, I hear from people who are waiting for important doctors’ appointments, tax refund checks or passport help. These are issues that can’t wait.
We have a team of caseworkers in my Sarasota and Charlotte county offices who are eager to help you with any federal agency you’re dealing with. No issue is too big or too small.
We can’t always guarantee a favorable outcome, but we will advocate on your behalf to ensure you are treated fairly and receive a timely response. Last year, we helped more than 1,100 Floridians with casework, and we’re here to help you, too.
Contact my office anytime for agency assistance or to share your views about the work of Congress. Email me through my website: https://steube.house.gov/contact/ or call my offices at 202-225-5792 or 941-499-3214.
Thank you for the honor of representing you in Washington, D.C.
A national breakfast and lunch restaurant chain that's headquartered in Sarasota-Manatee has debuted a new location in its home base.
First Watch is now open at 14475 State Road 70 E. in Lakewood Ranch, celebrating by offering customers who dine in at the new restaurant a free cup of Project Sunrise coffee with their meal through May 10. The restaurant is in the former space of Nancy's Bar-B-Q, which relocated last year to Sarasota's Rosemary District before permanently closing in January.
While First Watch's original location opened in California in 1983, it has been based in Sarasota-Manatee since 1986, with its current corporate headquarters in the University Park area. First Watch already has numerous locations throughout Sarasota-Manatee, including one that opened on Cortez Road West in December, with plans to open a Parrish restaurant at 8990 U.S. 301 N. by the end of 2024 and several other leases in various stages of negotiation, according to a press release.
Twelve years ago, Clark Dean was at rowing camp when he had an epiphany. If he set his mind to it, one day he could become an Olympian. The moment stood out for him, so much so that he choose the word epiphany for a vocabulary project.
We caught up with Clark and his mother, Paige Dean, at Nathan Benderson Park, home of U.S. Rowing, and talked to them about a YouTube video from 12 years ago that they still laugh about to this day.
A group accused of a real estate fraud scheme conspired to steal at least 10 homeowners’ identities and sold their properties “out from under them” without permission, federal officials said.
The accused ringleader has now been sentenced, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said in a news release Friday.
Jose Manuel Santiago of Sarasota has been sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail, wire and bank fraud, federal officials said.
Two of his accused co-conspirators have also pleaded guilty and have been sentenced.
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