Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Best restaurant for French fries in Sarasota and Bradenton? Here’s the vote winner!

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/foodanddri...0ac40463&ei=47

Following National Hamburger Day, and my pick for the best burger restaurant in Sarasota and Manatee counties, we recently turned our focus to everybody's favorite beef side dish: French fries, or frites, as the French call them.

A multitude of restaurants serve French fries in Sarasota and Manatee counties, but which one serves the tastiest French fries?

Ahead of National French Fry Day on July 12, and the 2024 Summer Olympics taking place in Paris from July 26 to August 11 — with France, of course, being the original home of the French fry (unless you ask the Belgians) — we asked you to submit your picks for best local French fry purveyor a month ago.

Here's our Sarasota-Manatee winner, which will be featured in a national results story by our sister publication, USA TODAY.

[wondermint2]

City Commission approves amendments regulating solar energy production on first reading

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...0ac40463&ei=53

The city of Sarasota’s zoning code and comprehensive plan are embracing solar energy with updates aimed at regulating the construction of solar facilities.

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved changes in the zoning code and the comprehensive plan that add solar utilities as future land use classification in certain zoning districts on first reading at its meeting Monday. The move aims to regulate and encourage the development of solar energy production facilities within the industrial general and industrial heavy zoning districts.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota Chamber salutes local businesses for contributions and service

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smal...0ac40463&ei=59

Did you know that 80% of the domestic job growth in our country comes from the small- to medium-size business community? That’s a significant number, which is why at the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce we focus on connecting, supporting, and promoting local businesses.

Running a business is a 24-hour, 365-day-a-year endeavor for those who have the fortitude and tenacity to put their own capital on the line. At the Chamber, we are dedicated to helping these entrepreneurs as an anchor of support, advocate and resource for business-building programs and services.

We recently held one of our largest events of the year – our 34th annual Frank G. Berlin Sr. Small Business Awards, presented by Herald-Tribune Media Group. This event was designed to celebrate and honor 30 local businesses in 10 award categories. Each incredible business owner shared their own special and unique story of how they strived to achieve success.

With attendance at the event being over 600, the Chamber was able to amplify the best practices of these organizations as they engage with the community, customers, and employees. Many of these businesses fly under the radar and yet contribute greatly to Sarasota being recognized as a world-class community.

We are honored to congratulate the winners and finalists, and we thank them for creating jobs, products, and services, and for giving back generously to support the local region and beyond.

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Traffic crash with injuries leads to major road shutdown in Sarasota

Published: Jul. 7, 2024 at 4:17 PM EDT | Updated: 2 hours ago

For photo:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/07/0...with-injuries/

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol are on scene of a traffic crash involving three vehicles.

Westbound and Eastbound lanes of Fruitville Road are shut down at Vic Edwards Road resulting from the crash.

Multiple occupants have been transported with injuries and one with serious injuries.

Motorists are asked to use alternate routes to avoid this area.

Major road in Sarasota reopens after traffic crash with injuries (Video)

Two critically injured in a Sarasota traffic crash

Published: Jul. 7, 2024 at 4:17 PM EDT | Updated: 16 minutes ago

For video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/07/0...outputType=amp

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol are investigating a crash that happened in Sarasota County over the weekend leaving Westbound and Eastbound lanes of Fruitville Road at Vic Edwards Road closed for hours.

According to the crash report, a pick-up truck swerved into the wrong lane crashing into another truck head-on. The 24-year-old driver from Lakewood Ranch and his passenger of the first truck were hospitalized and critically injured. The 70-year-old driver from Sarasota of the second pick-up walked away with minor injuries.

[wondermint2]

FST challenge match brings $2 million donation for Arts Plaza

For full article & photo:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...atch-donation/

Last week was a big week for Florida Studio Theatre’s ambitious plans to build a new Arts Plaza at its downtown campus on what is currently a gravel parking lot on First Street.

On the heels of a $1 million state of Florida grant for the affordable housing component of the multi-use Arts Plaza, the organization received a $2 million donation toward the project from Cheryl Gorelick and Jake Zeigler.

The gift was made as part of The Maier Match Challenge in support of the “McGillicuddy Circle of Friends” in honor of long-time benefactors Dennis and Graci McGillicuddy, the dollar-for-dollar match that brings the gift to $4 million.

Announced in May by benefactors Ed and Susan Maier, the challenge will match donations toward the Arts Plaza up to $4 million. To date, the challenge match has raised $2.6 million.

Gorelick and Zeigler arrived in Sarasota in 2022 and quickly became involved with FST, with Gorelick joining the Board of Trustees in 2023.

[wondermint2]

Synthetic soccer fields are coming to East County

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...s-east-county/

East County parks are among the busiest parks in Manatee County.

Lakewood Ranch Park took 4,887 reservations last year, which totaled 16,575 hours of use across 21 athletic fields.

Soccer fields, in particular, are wearing out quicker in East County than in other parts of the county. As a result, the Sports and Leisure department is moving toward adding synthetic fields in three East County parks: Lakewood Ranch Park, Braden River Park and the Premier Sports Campus.

The two additional turf fields at Premier Sports Campus are already underway and funded. Designs started in January and construction in May. The fields are expected to be complete in December.

The additions to Braden River Park and Lakewood Ranch Park are new projects that staff added to the Capital Improvement Plan during the budget presentation to commissioners in June.

The budget and CIP will be finalized and approved by commissioners in September. Staff is requesting three new synthetic fields at Braden River Park and two at Lakewood Ranch Park.

Molly White, Manatee County's director of Sports and Leisure, said the excessive play on the grass fields is wearing out high-traffic areas like the goal mouths. Right now, staff delays the wear by rotating and moving fields when possible.

“Turf has an average lifespan of 8-12 years, sometimes more depending on use and conditions,” White said.

If approved and added to the CIP, two turf fields at Lakewood Ranch Park would be finished by October 2026 at a cost of $3,997,125. The three fields at Braden River Park would be finished by December 2028 at a cost of $5,995,688.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota residents clean up Siesta Beach after July 4 celebrations (Photo Gallery)

For photo gallery:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-siesta-beach/

Michael Shay said about 10 years ago, when the Liberty Litter Cleanup first began, that volunteers were greeted by easily visible impacts from the Fourth of July celebrations the night before.

While county has since ramped up its trash removal efforts, he said he still feels compelled each year to support the environment by volunteering for the cleanup.

On the morning of July 5, others who shared his initiative could be seen across Siesta Key Beach.

Multiple volunteers were searching the sands that morning, whether they belonged to the Liberty Litter Cleanup, an event by Keep Sarasota County Beautiful held each year in multiple locations, or another party.

Another group present included a cleanup organized by the local business Driftheory.

Danielle Ferrantino, the owner of Driftheory, said it was important to her to give back to the environment for the central role it has played in Driftheory's handcrafted jewelry incorporating natural materials from local beaches.

Although trash became increasingly scarce during the early morning, volunteers said each year, there are still plenty of items to remove.

Eric Pugh, a volunteer with the Liberty Litter Cleanup, recounted finding “all kinds of crazy stuff” including kids’ toys, shoes, ketchup packets and broken chairs.

“A big thing previously was floss picks,” he said.

“I feel like it’s so important that we clean up after all the toxic mess that humanity has done the night before,” said Adonai Tzidkenu, a volunteer with the Liberty Litter Cleanup.

She said wires from fireworks around the area had the potential to affect birds, turtles and marine life.

“Their life is important to the collective ecological structure, and we should respect all life,” she said. “Do not let lawlessness be the stumbling block to the weak.”

[wondermint2]

(Eating with Emma) Hot diggity dog! July is National Hot Dog Month

Bite into the best buns and dogs in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

For full article & photos:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...hot-dog-month/

Here are the best spots in town to down some hot dogs.

[wondermint2]

Edwards, Babicz, Wood Contrast Visions for Sarasota Schools

For full article:

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...rasota+Schools

The Sarasota County School board experiences stream of controversies in recent years. Every District 3 School Board candidate, including the incumbent, believes voters can send a message that must stop.

School Board member Tom Edwards faces two challengers, long-time IT Management executive Thomas Babicz and Sarasota Scullers executive director Greg Wood.

[wondermint2]

Sarasota County's Vulnerability Assessment Overview

https://www.srqmagazine.com/srq-dail...sment-Overview

Join us for a community meeting to review Sarasota County's Vulnerability Assessment and Resilience Plan on Tuesday, July 23 (from 5PM to 7PM) at UF/IFAS Extension, Sarasota County 6700 Clark Road Sarasota, FL 34241. This project, funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's Resilient Florida Grant Program, addresses flooding and sea level rise risks and outlines mitigation projects.

Registrants are welcome to attend in-person at the UF/IFAS Extension & Sustainability office at Twin Lakes Park or participate virtually. Light refreshments will be provided for in-person attendees. In the meeting, we will review the results of the Vulnerability Assessment, focusing on Sarasota County assets that are at risk from sea level rise and flooding.

Attendees will have the opportunity to see these areas through maps and online visuals, as well as explore the strategies outlined in the adaptation and resilience plan.

On May 12, 2021, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 1954 into law, establishing a comprehensive strategy for Florida’s coastal and inland resilience. This landmark legislation ensures coordinated efforts to protect Florida's waterways and coastlines against sea level rise. It represents the largest investment in the state’s history for preparing communities for rising sea levels, intensified storms, and flooding.

The Resilient Florida Program offers grants to counties, municipalities, special districts, and regional resilience entities. These grants help eligible applicants analyze and plan for vulnerabilities, as well as implement adaptation and mitigation projects.

Please register this event only at https://ufsarasotaext.eventbrite.com rather than any third-party websites, as they are not affiliated with our classes and events. For questions or further information, please call 941-861-5000 or email sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu. If you require special accommodations to attend one of our events, please contact us in advance at 941-861-5000 or sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu.

To register, click here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/adaptin...n-916573133917