Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Celebrate the Juneteenth holiday while soaking up a bit of culture around Sarasota-Manatee

Celebrate the Juneteenth holiday and learn about Black heritage this month around Sarasota-Manatee

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...ce34a408&ei=41

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in the United States. The now federally observed holiday originated in the coastal barrier community of Galveston, Texas, in 1865 after Union soldiers brought news of freedom to formerly enslaved men, women, and children.

The first "Jubilee Day' celebrations took place a year later, in 1866 among freedom colonies, or settlements of African Americans, across Texas and the Southeast. Powered by the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s, Juneteenth gave way to expanding the celebrations during the 1970s with a larger focus on racial pride and cultural heritage and by the late 1980s, Black communities in California, Wisconsin, Illinois, Georgia, Washington, D.C., and other cities hosted major Juneteenth celebrations, which included music, art, and expressions of African heritage. By the end of the 20th century, most major cities across the United States and in parts of the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe celebrated Juneteenth and began celebrating the holiday in a big fashion.

Approximately 17% of Florida's population is Black, marking a significant contribution to its cultural and economic landscape and serving as a reminder of the path toward equity and recognition of Black achievements in the state. The holiday holds significant importance in Florida and many Black Floridians use the day to reflect on the state's rich African American history and struggle around the Sunshine State at historical sites like Rosewood, Florida, or here on the Suncoast with the 1960s Lido Beach 'wade-ins' but serves mostly as a day of jubilee rooted in Black heritage and culture.

Here's how you can consciously observe and celebrate the holiday this year around Sarasota-Manatee throughout the week.

[wondermint2]

Is more rain and flooding coming to Sarasota and Manatee this week from tropical system?

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/to...ce34a408&ei=87

A record 6.47 inches reportedly fell at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service, and more is on the way, according to the agency's Wednesday morning briefing.

That rainfall brought flash flooding across northern Sarasota and southern Manatee counties Tuesday night.

Forecasters say a plume of tropical moisture will continue to stream across the southern and central portions of the Florida Peninsula through the rest of the week, drifting slightly north today, "producing numerous periods of heavy rainfall and flooding."

That is primarily due to a tropical system labeled Invest90L by the National Hurricane Center, which will be making its slow way across Florida today and tomorrow. Though it is unlikely to develop into a more coherent system, "heavy rainfall is forecast to continue across portions of the Florida peninsula during the next few days," according to the NHC.

How much rain will Sarasota and Manatee get?

The area of highest rain totals will shift south again on Friday, with the highest rain totals for the week expected over Southwest Florida, forecasters said.

According to the National Weather Service, three-day rainfall totals could be in excess of 10 inches in Southwest Florida and it could be significantly more in some areas, as seen last night when downtown Sarasota received 8-10 inches.

Will there be more flooding in Sarasota and Manatee counties?

After flash floods covered roads and neighborhoods last night throughout northern Sarasota and southern Manatee counties, the area could see more flooding over the next three days.

The National Weather Service posted a flood watch that remains in effect until 8 p.m. Thursday for Sarasota, Manatee, Lee, Charlotte, DeSoto, and Hardee counties. Area flooding will be possible with the heaviest rain, especially in areas still saturated from Tuesday’s drenching.

River flooding will be possible by the end of the week, according to the NWS.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota sets record for most rainfall in 1 hour

For full article & graphics:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/weather/to...ce34a408&ei=91

It’s not very often that 8″+ of rain falls in 3 hours in the Tampa Bay area, but that happened early Tuesday evening just south of Sarasota. That is considered the type of event which should only occur statistically once every 500 to 1,000 years.

As seen from the NOAA graphic below, the purple bullseye shows the area where the 3-hour rain totals that fell from roughly 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. reached a recurrence interval, or return period, that peaks at the top of the scale: 1-in-200 years.

It was also the all-time record for the most rain in one hour at the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport with 3.93″ falling, as seen below.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County closes athletic fields as rain continues

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mot...ce34a408&ei=96

Sarasota County has closed all athletic fields in its public parks on Tuesday due to inclement weather.

While closures for rain frequently involve only a few parks during isolated summer storms, the ongoing widespread rain event has affected the entire county, so all athletic fields have been closed.

[wondermint2]

Which roads did Tuesday’s rains close? Find out here

Published: Jun. 12, 2024 at 5:19 AM EDT|Updated: 5 hours ago

For photo:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/06/1...ures-sarasota/

Tuesday’s rains flooded multiple roads across the Suncoast. Multiple remain closed.

Right now, officials report road closures in Sarasota at:

*301 and Main

*17th Street between Euclid Avenue and Mango Avenue.

*Tuttle Avenue between Tanglewood Drive and Valencia Drive.

*Beach Road near Siesta Beach is flooded.

Barricades as well as signs are in place as cars and pedestrians are advised to avoid these areas.

Additionally, a traffic light is out in Venice. If you’re traveling along I-75, the light is faulty where the interstate intersects with Laurel.

[wondermint2]

One Park West Will Bring 69 New Condos to the Sarasota Bayfront

Part of the long-awaited One Park project, One Park West condos will be among the most affordable in the Quay and range from roughly $1 million to $3 million.

For full article & photos:

https://www.sarasotamagazine.com/hom...ntown-sarasota

[wondermint2]

The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for June 13-19

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...anch-longboat/

[wondermint2]

Senior Friendship Centers Launches Rainbow Connections to Support LGBTQ+ Seniors in Celebration of Pride Month

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...of-Pride-Month

In celebration of Pride Month and in response to the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ seniors, Senior Friendship Centers (SFC) is proud to announce the launch of "Rainbow Connections," a new program dedicated to fostering community, support, and celebration among LGBTQ+ older adults.

This monthly mixer will take place every second Thursday at SFC’s Sarasota campus. The recurring event will feature a member of the arts community who will speak and perform, followed by a casual Q&A session.

Attendees will enjoy complimentary creative culinary bites and beer/wine. Statistics highlight that LGBTQ+ seniors are twice as likely to live alone, four times more likely to have no children, and often face shrinking social networks, leading to a lack of traditional support systems.

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*June Rainbow Connections Mixer: Thursday, June 13, 2024 | 4:30PM – 6:00pm, 1888 Brother Geenen Way, Sarasota. Featured Guest: Violinist Francesca Jourawleff. To register, visit eventbrite.com and search Rainbow Connections Senior Friendship Centers.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota Community Foundation CEO announces retirement

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...eo-retirement/

After the president and CEO for the Community Foundation of Sarasota County announced her plans to retire in 2025, the charitable organization said it plans to form a search committee this summer to identify her successor.

Since March 2011, Roxie Jerde has led the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, a nonprofit that oversees about half a billion dollars in charitable assets. It had nearly $489 million in total assets in 2023, according to its annual report. Jerde will retire at the end of the organization’s fiscal year in June 2025, the board of directors said in a statement.

[wondermint2]

Town and contractor respond with solutions to lighting concerns

The town of Longboat Key is working on shielding Gulf of Mexico street lights, while Moss Construction is getting the St. Regis construction site in compliance.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...ting-concerns/

The town of Longboat Key and Moss Construction are working on addressing several issues with sea turtle-friendly lighting on the island.

At the Longboat Key Town Commission’s June 3 meeting, resident and Longboat Key Turtle Watch Vice President Cyndi Seamon showed the commission what she said is an improvement in the situation at the St. Regis Longboat Key construction site.

Previously, Seamon spoke to the commission at a May 20 workshop to bring up the lighting issues she saw while walking the beaches at night.

After the issues were raised at the commission’s May 20 workshop, Moss Construction sent a statement to the Observer regarding the situation.

“We deeply regret the recent violation of the Sea Turtle Lighting Guidelines,” the statement read. “This was the result of an unforeseen electrical misalignment that coincided with the start of the season. We sincerely apologize for this lapse and any disruption it may have caused during this short timeframe. Moss is fully committed to environmental stewardship and the protection of wildlife. We take these guidelines very seriously and are currently implementing corrective measures to ensure compliance.”

Seamon said the lighting situation looks “a lot better” with amber lights now in place.