Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Improvements on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard lead to minor delays

For full article & photos:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...nch-boulevard/

According to statistics provided by Manatee County, more than 20,000 cars a day drive through the intersection of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard and Clubhouse Drive.

That is the biggest reason motorists have experienced a backup while intersection improvements are being made there.

However, Manatee County spokesman Bill Logan said the biggest delays are just about finished as intermittent lane closures are only expected for two more weeks.

The improvements at the intersection include the addition of a traffic signal, northbound and southbound right turn lanes, eastbound and westbound left turn lanes, new crosswalks with crosswalk signals, fiber optic communication related infrastructure, and advanced traffic management system devices.

Motorists also had to deal with other slight delays along that stretch of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard in the last week as a "scratch course," was applied to reduce the effect of potholes.

That repair to the roadway, on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard between Switchgrass Trail and State Road 70, is not a long-term solution but a temporary fix until a major paving project begins.

Logan said the finished surface won’t be aesthetically pleasing, but the goal is to patch holes and shore up the surface so that the asphalt crews don’t have to make so many site visits.

[wondermint2]

North Port ATV riders' petition hits 600 signatures

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/north-port...600-signatures

Local off-road vehicle drivers have ridden the numerous dirt paths and empty roads in the area for decades.

With some feeling as though their passion is being taken away from them, hundreds are taking action.

Multiple generations have carved out trails in the woods to enjoy their loud machinery.

Cheyenne Carter is one of those local residents. Born and raised in North Port, she is a mother who loves to ride with her family and friends.

Upset, she decided to create a petition: “Preserve Off-Road Vehicle Access to North Port Trails.”

Recently, Carter and her peers have had run-ins with law enforcement while enjoying time at various undeveloped parcels.

Because of that, she does not ride as much anymore.

“Some of the cops are nice some are …” she said, leaving it at that.

Carter does not understand why those who have ridden for decades cannot ride nowadays. Additionally, she is confused about why people call the police on them for doing so.

“You moved out to the estates. What do you think they do out in the country?” she asked

After she created and posted the petition in April, it has received over 620 signatures, signaling the desire for ATV freedom from hundreds, locally.

North Port Section 74-133, however, which is cited on small signs found at Oaks Park — a 17-acre parcel between Mandrake Terrace and Myakkahatchee Creek in the Ladyslipper neighborhood — says Carter’s type of riding is unlawful.

The section prohibits the use of such vehicles unless it is "at a system of off-highway vehicle recreation areas and trails established in compliance with Chapter 261, Florida Statutes, otherwise known as the 'T. Mark Schmidt Off-Highway Vehicle Safety and Recreation Act.'"

The issue is that the only ATV course nearby is in Punta Gorda. That's a half-hour away; the woods are just blocks away.

Carter misses going out to ride every weekend and hopes her petition can reach the city so her friends and the local government can reach some type of compromise.

A sectioned-off area of a given parcel, she believes, could be a solution that makes everyone happy.

Carter has even reached out to Commissioner Debbie McDowell, asking for her help.

“When people think about off-roading, they think about a bunch of kids being unsafe and harming themselves and others,” Carter started. “The reality of off-roading is that it brings a community together and makes them one. The off-road community help each other and are kind to others.”

She then went on to say that some bad apples, so to speak, on ATVs should not cause the riding to be unlawful. Drunk drivers have not caused driving cars to be outlawed, she argued.

[wondermint2]

COLUMN: Venice Area Chamber of Commerce has a foundation

For the full column:

https://www.newsbreak.com/venice-fl/...s-a-foundation

The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501©(6) organization, and we also have the Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, a 501©(3).

The distinct difference between 501©(3) and 501©(6) organizations is in their underlying purposes. The goal of most 501©(3) organizations is charitable, while 501©(6) organizations are mainly business or membership nonprofits.

As you know, the purpose of the Chamber is to promote business growth and success. The Foundation has educational purposes, including knowledge and understanding of economics, matters of public concern, human resources and other subjects related to improving efficiencies and accelerating the quality of economic growth and opportunities.

The Venice Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation supports three programs of education.

The flagship program is Leadership Venice: Geared towards adults, this program runs eight months, one full day a month starting in February and graduating in October. Each program day encompasses a theme, including Venice History, Health & Human Services, Government, Economic Development, Community Awareness and Arts & Culture.

[wondermint2]

Major delays building on I-75 South in Manatee County (Video)

For video:

https://www.wfla.com/news/local-news...ee-county/amp/

Major delays are building on Interstate 75 in Manatee County.

One lane was open to traffic near mile marker 222 as of 6:30 a.m. Tuesday. The backup stretches for about seven miles and goes into Hillsborough County.

Cameras show crews are working on the roads in the area.

Alternate routes are U.S. 301 and U.S. 41. Traffic anchor Beth Rousseau said U.S. 301 is clogged up due to several drivers trying to find an alternate route.

[wondermint2]

Popular Bradenton pizzeria has new home after moving from Cortez Road. When does it open?

For full article:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/popular-b...090000960.html

A popular pizzeria in Bradenton has a new location.

Godson’s Pizzeria is moving from its Cortez Road location to Manatee Avenue. A voice message at the restaurant says they are reopening in “10 (days) to two weeks.”

Godson’s announced on March 22 via its Facebook page that it was relocating to 3306 Manatee Ave. W. The previous location, 1720 Cortez Road West, had its last official day on April 13.

Last week, American Property Group of Sarasota announced the 1720 Cortez Road West location sold for $2.44 million.

Adam Doak, the leading realtor on the sale of Godson’s, said it was sold to a group in Tampa. He said a medical cannabis company is the planned tenant after renovations are completed for the building.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County approves twice-denied Concession development

For full article & graphic:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...pment-approve/

A proposal for 15 homes on a 17-acre parcel at the State Road 70 entrance to The Concession was approved June 20, but some Panther Ridge and Concession homeowners who are opposed to the project are not backing down just because one vote by Manatee County commissioners didn’t go their way.

Those homeowners have vowed to continue with a battle that began four years ago over a patch of green space and a horse trail. They hope to raise funds to file a lawsuit against the county.

“Our boards, our residents, there are many of us who have a greater resolve than what I think The Concession (representatives) would like us to have,” said Nikki Olarsch, vice president of the Foxwood at Panther Ridge Homeowners Association. “They can expect to see us again.”

The Concession developer Kevin Daves had an equally strong resolve to reallocate the 22 remaining units out of the 255 housing units that were approved in The Concession’s General Development Plan in October 2000.

Daves’ proposal was denied twice by commissioners in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, Daves filed a lawsuit against Manatee County claiming an estimated $8.9 million in damages for not being able to reallocate the units.

Commissioners, in their first two votes, along with residents in Panther Ridge and The Concession, found The Concession's proposal to be incompatible with the county's Comprehensive Plan. Most of the surrounding homes sit on five to 10 acres. This project would be clustered on a 17-acre parcel that sits 1,500 yards from the gates that lead into The Concession.

In 2000, commissioners turned down the project for the first time, voting 6-1 against it. Another reason for the denial was that the property was home to a trail — an abandoned railroad easement from the 1930s — that had been used by Panther Ridge residents for horseback riding, biking and walking for 20 years.

Residents also said that the open area has been important to the two communities in terms of flood control.

Since being rejected in 2000, the Concession’s plan was modified from 22 units down to 18, three of which will be moved to a separate parcel.

At the June 20 land use meeting, the current board approved the proposal to transfer the units from the original General Development Plan in a 5-1 vote.

The staff's analysis was that the proposal "can be found to be" consistent with the Comprehensive Plan and in compliance with the Land Development Code, and Daves will now drop his lawsuit against the county.

"It can be found to be consistent — I can drive a truck through that language," Foxwood resident Mark Lyons said. "How many at-bats do these people get?"

[wondermint2]

2024 Report Spotlights Sarasota Memorial's Monumental Growth, Service to Community

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...e-to-Community

The past year has been one of monumental growth and service for Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH). The hospital recently released its 2024 Community Update, which highlights Sarasota Memorial’s transformative expansion initiatives and new services improving the health of the Suncoast region and patients it serves.

From opening world-class medical facilities and expanding vital services, to attracting top-notch physicians and clinicians to our fast-growing community, Sarasota Memorial’s accomplishments the past year are wide-ranging. Among these achievements are placing among U.S. News & World Report’s list of the top hospitals in the country for over 20 types of care, ranking amongNewsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals, and earning a spot on Forbes’ list of “America’s Best Large Employers.”

[wondermint2]

Unused post-COVID federal funds help North Port balance proposed 2024-25 budget

City commissioners find few cuts on first day of 2024-25 budget workshop

For full article:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/unused-po...080517231.html

The most significant revelations from the first of two workshop days about the city of North Port’s 2024-25 budget is that the property tax rate will remain unchanged, as city officials are using about $2 million in unspent American Rescue Plan Act funds to make ends meet, while leaving its reserve fund $537,432 at the required cushion.

On the surface, things look rosy. A 16% increase in taxable city property values – a jump from $8.5 billion to almost $9.9 billion – combined with the 3.7667 mill property tax rate will generate at least $35.8 million in property taxes, a healthy $4.9 million more than this year’s budget, with more than $3 million of that coming through new construction.

Monday’s proceedings did little to change the overall budget. Commissioners achieved consensus to save $6,800 by ending its membership to the National League of Cities and $1,900 by canceling the purchase of challenge coins but also told staff they wanted to spend $75,600 that had been left out of the budget, so the IT department can replace a computer system firewall.

[wondermint2]

Crosswalk lighting on Gulf of Mexico Drive temporarily shut off for sea turtles

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...rily-shut-off/

The Florida Department of Transportation announced in a June 21 press release that the overhead lighting at crosswalks along State Road 789 will be temporarily shut off.

SR 789 is a state-owned highway that spans from Anna Maria Island, through Longboat Key and St. Armands Circle to Sarasota. On Longboat Key, the road is called Gulf of Mexico Drive but is called Gulf Drive in Anna Maria Island.

The release came in response to an incident that occurred on Anna Maria Island early on the morning of June 19.

Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch and Shorebird Monitoring responded to a female loggerhead sea turtle that was struck by a car that morning. According to a press release from Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch, the turtle nested in the dunes and then became disoriented by overhead crosswalk streetlights on Gulf Drive.

Artificial lighting that is visible from the beach can cause disorientations of nesting and hatchling sea turtles. The turtles can confuse the artificial lights for the moonlight, which the turtles use as a guide toward the Gulf.

[wondermint2]

North Port Fire Rescue introduces pediatric resuscitation system on all rescues

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/06/2...m-all-rescues/

North Port Fire Rescue is now in-serviced and actively using the Handtevy Pediatric System on all rescues.

This advanced system enhances NPFR’s ability to provide precise and immediate care to children in emergencies, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Why this matters:

- Enhanced Care: Immediate, accurate medical treatment in emergencies.
- Reduced Stress: Streamlined processes for our responders.
- Improved Outcomes: Better chances for recovery and survival.