Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Squatters ‘spoil’ island in waterway

For full article & photo:

https://www.islander.org/2024/05/squ...d-in-waterway/

Unknown persons have taken up residence on a spoil island in Anna Maria Sound, prompting concerns from mariners and residents and action from authorities.

The previously unoccupied island, located north of the Anna Maria Island Bridge on Manatee Avenue adjacent to the northwest end of Perico Bayou and the Intracoastal Waterway is known locally as “Gilligan’s Island.”

The name for the spit of land in the waterway came from a sitcom that aired on TV in the 1970s.

The series featured the comic adventures of seven people marooned after a three-hour tour.

But this is no sitcom. The island became the source of public outcry after a video surfaced on Facebook showing makeshift structures, furniture, an array of boats and boat parts and detritus scattered across the shoreline.

“I guess squatters and homeless are living on Gilligan’s Island now,” one Facebook member wrote in response to the video.

[wondermint2]

Road rage on the rise (Video)

For video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/05/1...outputType=amp

Following a near deadly shooting of a pregnant woman in Manatee County, which stemmed from a road rage incident, more violence is happening on Suncoast streets.

A video shared to a local traffic page on Facebook depicts a motorcyclist attacking a driver of a car stopped at a red light. The location of the altercation is said to be at the intersection of Cattlemen Road and Fruitville Road.

“You never know what the other person is capable of,” said FHP Trooper Kenn Watson.

Road rage is on the rise in Florida, with more than 20 shootings occurring just in 2024 alone, due to altercations on the road. This, according to the gun violence archive online database.

When asked what drivers should do when another driver is showing anger or frustration, Watson said simply, “take a breath, and step back. Everyone wants to arrive alive to their destination.”

For more information about laws concerning firearm use and carry in a vehicle, click here:

Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine

[wondermint2]

SCSO: Suspect hit K9, mooned deputies

https://www.newsbreak.com/englewood-...ooned-deputies

ENGLEWOOD — A motorized scooter driver was arrested Saturday after he allegedly mooned deputies and punched a K9 in the head.

Authorities allege the suspect fled from deputies during a traffic stop and attempted to evade arrest by swimming back and forth across a nearby canal.

Lucas Malachi Jakstadt, 21, was charged with one count each of battery against a first responder, aggravated assault against a first responder, resisting arrest with violence, and resisting arrest without violence.

According to his arrest report, a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputy caught sight of a man riding a motorized scooter around 10:40 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Boardwalk and Dearborn Street.

The man was driving on the sidewalk, had no vehicle registration tag, and failed to yield right of way to a vehicle in the road, according to the deputy.

The deputy activated his patrol vehicle’s lights and conducted a traffic stop on the scooter driver. The driver was described as “visibly trembling” during the encounter.

Jakstadt identified himself, according to the report, and told the deputy that he did not have his license on him.

When the deputy returned to his vehicle to search the name, Jakstadt allegedly ran away on foot, leaving the scooter behind. Other deputies were called to the scene to create a perimeter.

Jakstadt allegedly ran through several yards and hopped fences to evade arrest, eventually jumping into a canal between French Avenue and South Oxford Drive.

“The subject continued to swim from one side of the canal to the other, yelling at deputies and pulling his pants down showing his rear end,” the report stated.

This continued for about 20 minutes, according to the report, with Jakstadt allegedly hiding in nearby mangroves to frustrate the deputies’ pursuit.

At one point, a K9 was released to assist in apprehending Jakstadt when it appeared he was about to leave the water.

Deputies claimed Jakstadt wrapped his shirt around his hand and told them it was a gun, and that he threatened to shoot the K9 if it approached him.

The K9 eventually was allowed to chase the suspect into the water; deputies said he punched the dog in the head several times before the dog was recalled.

The K9 made a second attempt to catch the suspect, which led to his arrest.

Jakstadt was taken to an Englewood health care facility following his arrest, though the narrative of the report immediately after that event was redacted.

He is being held at Sarasota County Jail on $11,000 total bond, with a court appearance scheduled for June 21.

[wondermint2]

Victims of lynching in Manatee, Sarasota counties being remembered (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.fox13news.com/news/victi...remembered.amp

With a shovel and a pot, soil collected by children comes from an area where the unthinkable happened.

"This is the land where their lives were taken. It’s very, very sacred. It’s very ceremonial. It’s something people see a visual," said Linda Crump.

The soil came from a spot in Palmetto where three African American men were believed to have been lynched in March of 1910.

"There has been a lack of education about the experiences of black people since before the civil war," said Gene Crump.

Gene and Linda Crump are retired attorneys.

They are part of a project called "Manasota Remembers: The Sarasota and Manatee Community Remembrance Project."

They are a group working with the Equal Justice Initiative or EJI to remember history that is often overlooked.

[wondermint2]

More than 20 people displaced following early morning apartment fire

For full article & photo:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/05/1...partment-fire/

At least 20 people are being assisted by the Red Cross after an apartment fire destroyed an apartment building.

It happened at the Everest Garden Apartments on 9th Ave. E, early Sunday morning around 2:30 A.M.

According to the Bradenton Fire Department the fire started as a result of electrical issues.

Four apartments were damaged in the fire. No injuries were reported.

The Red Cross provided assistance following the fire to the numerous families involved.

According to BFD, the older building did not have a sprinkler system but did have fire alarms.

[wondermint2]

Little Free Library in Venice open for business

For full article & photo:

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...n-for-business

Local residents and literacy-hungry beachgoers will now be able to enjoy a good read in the sun this summer with the addition of bookstore.

A little, free bookstore, that is.

Venice High School's Kara Mopps and her Pre-IB, International Baccalaureate, Inquiry Skills Period 8 class celebrated the opening of their Little Free Library Monday afternoon with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Venice Beach.

Little Free Library is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advocate for reading and literacy accessibility through volunteer-led, free book-exchange boxes.

The class spent two months planning, designing, building and marketing the literacy project to fulfill the last of their IB Learner Profile requirements: caring. The assignment called for students to successfully create a philanthropic project that would make a positive difference in the lives of others.

Venice Chamber of Commerce president Kathy Lehner said the project will do just that, providing beachgoers and visitors of all ages the chance to dive back into literacy.

"Seeing this come from students shows that they're going from learning to read to now reading to learn and they are passing that on to the community," Lehner said.

Within ten minutes of the ribbon-cutting, the Little Free Library had its first visitor.

A beachgoer passing through paused to sift through the colorful collection of titles, choosing a thick paperback for her read on the beach. Before leaving, she said she would be coming back to "donate a few of her own" next week.

"This is just awesome," the Venice resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Kara Mopps is excited to see the literacy project expand in the coming months, and her students' reach grow with it.

"They have already done a giant community service for the public and they are only in ninth grade," Mopps said. "But I love this most because it allowed them the opportunity to communicate with adults, the city people and get involved in something bigger than themselves."

[wondermint2]

Bradenton Among The 'Best River Towns' To Retire In America

https://wiod.iheart.com/content/2024...re-in-america/

If you're already making retirement plans, Southern Living released a list of the best river towns for retirement in the South. An under-the-radar Florida spot earned a spot on the list: Bradenton! Retirees can look forward to beaches, nature preserves, vibrant parks, and nearby island getaways on Longshore Key and Anna Maria Island.

Here's why writers chose this quaint location:

"Bradenton is situated alongside the Manatee River, and retirees can spend their days along the Bradenton Riverwalk, a 1.5 mile, ADA-accessible park. Here, you’ll find an amphitheater, skate park, beach volleyball courts, and a fishing pier. As the name implies, this area is known for its manatee population. In fact, at the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, yogis can even practice manatee yoga."

Even if you're craving the hustle and bustle of city life, Sarasota is less than 30 minutes away.

[wondermint2]

North Port welcomes 70 new businesses

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smal...ebb78a37&ei=28

Celebrating its tradition of fostering a thriving business community, the City of North Port once again played host to the successful Business Welcome in the first quarter of 2024, for new businesses who joined the City in January, February and March 2024.

The City proudly celebrated the addition of 70 new businesses during this quarter at Saturday’s event at City Hall.

The newly inducted members of North Port’s flourishing entrepreneurial scene were all publicly acknowledged, each receiving signed certificates, taking part in a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony and meeting community partners committed to their growth and success.

The event also served as a platform for the newcomers to introduce their business concepts, mingle with City staff, dignitaries, and local partners and meet with business development organizations.

These included representatives from the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), the Florida Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida (SBDC Tampa Bay), CareerSource Suncoast and the North Port Area Chamber of Commerce, among others. These organizations provide essential resources, tools and support that contribute to the dynamic growth of North Port’s emerging business landscape.

Businesses in North Port are invited to engage with the City’s Economic Development Division by calling 941-429-7029 or emailing EconomicDevelopment@NorthPortFL.gov.

[wondermint2]

SRQ airport pushes back against FAA, says land sale to New College of Florida is justified

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/sr...ebb78a37&ei=44

The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is pushing back against a decision by the Federal Aviation Administration that nixed the sale of airport property to New College of Florida.

Airport officials claim the FAA erred last month when the administration rejected a $11.5 million sale of 30.94 acres of land to New College with claims that the authority was unaware that airport land was leased by the college, that the land could be necessary for future airport use, that the land valuation was subpar, that zoning for the property does not allow for college dormitories, and that the college's current lease does not meet FAA requirements.

The college already leases most of that land from the airport under a 99-year land lease that was signed before the FAA existed. New College pays $108,072 per year for 34.8 acres, and its lease ends on October 2057, but college officials insist the sale is a critical step in securing funding for the college to secure long-term plans that include building upgrades and new facilities.

Airport CEO Fredrick Piccolo rebutted the FAA's denial of the land sale with a 99-page response that included copies of claims raised by the FAA, 60 pages of records disproving many of them, with line item responses to each claim. He asked that the FAA reverse its decision and allow the land sale to proceed.

"These findings are without sound basis and materially incorrect on numerous facts, therefore the release should be approved by FAA and proceed," Piccolo wrote.

[wondermint2]

Venice's Sharky's on the Pier to receive $2.5 million outdoor makeover, lease extension

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...ebb78a37&ei=49

Venice Pier Group will spend $2.5 million to improve the Sharky’s on the Pier – specifically to renovate the outdoor dining area, improve a sunset deck damaged by Hurricane Ian and harden the iconic beach destination to meet all current hurricane codes.

Construction will start in June, following the Venice City Council’s approval of an amendment to the company's lease, with a goal of completing the work before the tourist season.

The city receives an annual rent check plus 5% of gross sales greater than $2.2 million annually under a 2008 lease agreement.

In 2023, the city received more than $1.25 million from Sharky' on the Pier and Fins at Sharky's, including $140,952 in rent and profit-sharing of $1.1 million.

Mayor Nick Pachota, whose family operates Venice Pier Group, recused himself from the discussion.

The lease extension – approved on a 4-2 vote, with council members Joan Farrell and Ron Smith dissenting – would allow for an increase in combined seating capacity for Fins at Sharky’s and Sharky’s on the Pier to a minimum of 450 and maximum of 897 seats and give the business options to lease the property for another 45-plus years.

Farrell voted against the extension after voicing concern that the lease contained four five-year options that would increase the length of time the Venice Pier Group would control the facility.

Smith voted against the deal after he gained no traction in an attempt to tie it to an outside appraisal of the lease and how long it would take Venice Pier Group to recoup its $2.5 million investment.

Smith said such a study would head off criticism of Pachota and his family over the lease.

A separate motion by Smith to have an outside appraisal of the value of the lease and estimate of how long it would take to recoup that investment also failed on a 4-2 vote.

“I believe this is something that would protect the Pachota family, to protect it from criticism,” Smith said. “They’re often accused of having a sweetheart lease with the city.”