Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

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FEMA withholds flood insurance discount update from Florida homeowners


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZRlDkv8bWk

Fema confirmed there would be no announcement or update on whether or not more than 100,000 homeowners will have access to their flood insurance discounts.

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Nathan Benderson Park wants to be elite

For graphic:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/35235...ts-to-be-elite

Nathan Benderson Park was once a borrow pit.

Now, it’s a 540-acre premier park and an internationally acclaimed rowing and event center

The Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy, that operates the park on behalf of Sarasota County, is now looking toward the future for the park’s next major phase of development.

The concept of a combined boathouse and indoor sports complex would provide sheltered boat storage for the park’s rowing and paddle sport activities, as well as a major indoor court facility capable of hosting sports such as volleyball, basketball, pickleball, martial arts and more.

The park is used for several premier rowing athletic trials, camps and invitations such as the U.S. Rowing Youth Nationals and the Olympic National Team Trials. Additionally, it’s also used for the Continental Olympic Qualifier for Canoe and Kayak as well as the U.S.A Swimming Open Water National Championships.

“We had Brown, Harvard, Northeastern, Washington and Stanford organically think this was the best rowing facility in the country,” Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy COO Bruce Patneaude said. “They want to be here as opposed to California.”

Sarasota County Commissioner Ron Cutsinger said the success of the park has been because of the dedication of the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy Board and people like Patneaude.

The next phase of development plans to incorporate a 10,000-square-foot, two-story combined sports complex and boathouse, according to the county’s Parks and Recreation Director Nicole Rissler.

“If you know anything about how this park has been developed over the course of the last 12 years, it has been measured 15 times and cut once,” Rissler said. “It has truly always been a blank canvas for the county and nonprofit to make sure we’re bringing forth the most amazing product not just locally, but nationally and internationally.”

From the feasibility study, Rissler found that there was both a large community and economic need for a large convention-like facility.

“Really, between us and Hertz Arena in Fort Myers, there’s a big gap in our area,” she said.

Inside, the first floor would have eight basketball courts, 16 volleyball courts, 30 pickleball courts and 24 wrestling mats. The boathouse would provide more than 20 storage racks, boat repair space performance center and equipment shop.

The second floor provides opportunity for high-performance training, an athlete lounge, multipurpose rooms, offices and court-viewing mezzanines. The facility would be situated next to the tower on the island.

“One of those key elements is high-performance training,” she said. “We know that in order to go after collegiate athletes that want to train here there’s a very important piece of high-performance training.”

Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Neunder asked if the high-performance area of the facility could incorporate classes such as pre and post athletic training or therapy.

“When our U.S. Olympic athletes and college teams aren’t using those facilities there could be a membership for a certain time of day that people could come in,” Rissler said. “Certainly, the warm-up, cool-down and therapy is included in this facility.”

Neunder said offering those services will be extremely important for elite and high-level athletes.

“In my humble opinion it will be a game changer, especially when you talk about Olympic athletes that are looking to peak at the top of their game to qualify for global events,” he said. “That’s a pretty proactive approach — very cool.”

The opportunity of a multi-use sports facility will also provide indoor space during events whereas the county uses outdoor tents, currently.

“If you’re there during an event, you know we are always putting tents up for everything,” Rissler said. “It will provide a lot of overhang space that will provide shade.”

Chair Commissioner Michael Moran said that the growth and development of a “hole in the ground” is chalked up to vision.

“It’s not lost on me,” Moran said. “The entire thing is vision to this day and to this presentation.”

A project update is expected to be presented back to the BOCC, including construction costs, in the spring of 2025.

[wondermint2]

Night swims set for North Port Aquatic Center

https://www.newsbreak.com/north-port...aquatic-center

The North Port Aquatic Center will be open until 10 p.m. on three select nights this summer.

The “Beat the Heat” summer series will offer people the chance to enjoy a “refreshing evening dip,” according to a news release.

Regular summer hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

The nighttime hours from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. will be offered on July 19 and Aug. 2.

All ages are welcome, but children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult.

The competition pool, as well as the waterpark, will be open.

To learn more about the North Port Aquatic Center visit northportfl.gov.

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Community Care Court offers second chances (Video)

For video:

https://www.fox13news.com/video/1483372.amp

A new program in Manatee County is working to help those living on the streets, and it's already seeing results.

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Manatee School Board praises superintendent after ‘tremendous’ first year on the job

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/news/35241...ear-on-the-job

Manatee County Schools superintendent Jason Wysong, who has completed his first year on the job, said he is most proud of the time he spent on each school campus.

“We spend a lot of time in meetings here in this office, but the action is in the schools,” Wysong told the Bradenton Herald. “That was a goal of mine was to spend as much time as possible not in this building, but out in the trenches with our teachers and our principals.”

Wysong is known as an approachable superintendent, School Board administrators say. As he receives high marks in his first year on the job, Wysong aims to help students get back on track after the COVID-19 pandemic interrupted the education system.

At a June 25 meeting, the Manatee County School Board approved his performance evaluation, which shows an average of each member’s ratings. Wysong earned an overall 4.2 out of 5 score on his evaluation, according to school district documents.

“This has really been a tremendous first year,” School Board member Gina Messenger said. “I really want to thank you for your thoughtful leadership and your strong commitment to student achievement. I really believe that you are an asset to our school district and our community.”

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Don’t miss out! Top 5 things to do in Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice this weekend: July 12-14

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/new...d=BingNewsVerp

It's now mid-July, officially the dead of summer, but don't worry — we still have a variety of fun events lined up for you this weekend in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

From Christmas in July to the Big Gay Beach Party, there are plenty of options. You can also enjoy festivals dedicated to cornhole and cocktails, as well as events happening at our local minor league baseball parks in Bradenton and North Port.

In addition to the five highlighted events below, don't miss out on the Sarasota Improv Festival. Taking place on Friday and Saturday at Florida Studio Theatre in downtown Sarasota, this event features performers from across the country for a weekend of spontaneous comedy.

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Long-awaited West Bradenton Target set to open. Here’s what to know about new store

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/comp...d=BingNewsSerp

A new Target in West Bradenton is finally ready to open this summer after four years of waiting.

The retailer has set the date of Sunday, Aug. 18 to open its doors and let shopping begin at 7350 Manatee Ave. W. in the Beachway Plaza.

The Beachway Plaza store, in the works since 2020, will be Bradenton’s second Target. It’s the home of a former Kmart, and Target spent years renovating the space.

Original plans called for a 49,000-square-foot store, but Target increased the size to 76,000 square feet in 2023.

That’s a medium-sized store for Target. Upcoming Target locations planned around Florida range from 30,000 to over 148,000 square feet.

A CVS pharmacy, a wine and spirits store and an order pickup area are planned for the store.

Bradenton’s original Target store is at 6150 14th St. W., in Bayshore Gardens, and another store is located just south of Manatee County at 101 N. Cattlemen Road in the University Town Center.

Target has also confirmed plans for a third Manatee County location. The large, 148,000-square-foot store is planned for 725 Lighthouse Drive in the Marketplace at Heritage Harbour shopping center, near Interstate 75 and State Road 64.

An opening date has not been announced, but the Heritage Harbour location is listed under future store openings on the company’s website.

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Bradenton man hospitalized after shooting at Oneco bar, sheriff’s office says

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other...d=BingNewsSerp

Ashooting in the parking lot of an Oneco bar Wednesday night left one man hospitalized and the other arrested, the sheriff’s office said.

Manatee County Sheriff’s deputies said they were called to the parking lot of Oneco Rose Bar at around 11:35 p.m. after an argument over a car accident led 27-year-old Jordan Glanz to shoot 48-year-old Deondrick Anderson in the torso.

Deputies said Glanz fled the scene. Anderson was taken to a local hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Glanz later contacted deputies and told them he shot Anderson in self-defense, the sheriff’s office said.

After speaking to witnesses and reviewing evidence, deputies arrested Glanz and charged him with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, according to a news release.
Glanz remains in custody, according to the sheriff’s office website.

Oneco Rose Bar, 103 Cortez Road, Bradenton, has been the site of other violent incidents in recent memory.

A video appearing to show a man pulling out a handgun and firing two shots at the bar circulated on social media following a September 2023 shooting.

Another incident in September 2019 saw a woman allegedly stab another woman with a bottle during a bar far, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.

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GCCF makes $1.3 million in grants to support arts and services

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...1/gccf-grants/

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board of Directors approved more than $1.3 million in grants during its June meeting, including $785,000 in funding for the region’s cornerstone arts and cultural organizations.

The foundation rebranded its Arts Appreciation Grants as the Empowering Arts Grant Program.

“We cut the administrative red tape for these incredible organizations that serve as the underpinning of our region’s vibrant culture,” said GCCF President and CEO Phillip Lanham. “Not only do these organizations enrich our lives, they also serve as a powerful economic force in our region, generating $342 million in economic impact in 2022.”

The 13 Empowering Arts recipients are Asolo Repertory Theatre, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Florida Studio Theatre, Sarasota Ballet, Sarasota Orchestra, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Opera, Venice Theatre, Circus Arts Conservatory, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe, Embracing Our Differences, Hermitage Artist Retreat, and Venice Symphony.

Other grants include:

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Kreissle Forge is a time capsule of a disappearing craft

The historic Kreissle blacksmith's forge, located near the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, provided metalwork for many of the community's landmarks and still has more to offer.

For full article & photos:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-time-capsule/

A blacksmith's forge might seem an odd establishment to find on a property near the runway of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.

After all, in the past, the airport has called in with safety concerns due to smoke in the air, when the forge's furnace was running on coal power, one of its multiple fuel options.

However, the Kreissle Forge and its industrial zoning are a relic of the past, just like the craft it was built to serve.

At the historic site, now part of the office of the forge's current owner, Kingston Realty, you can find a variety of relics from the days the forge provided for locations like the Ca' d’Zan and Church of the Redeemer.

“I love that every time I walk in there, it’s like a historical time-lapse,” said Ashton Hoehne, who manages the forge. “It's like, every time you walk in there, you walk into the 1940s.”

Forgotten art

As the facility has faded into relative obscurity, so has the craft of blacksmithing.

According to Peter Kreissle, a member of the youngest generation to work in the forge, finding an individual to carry on the work today may be challenging.

“It's a viable business, certainly, but it's really labor intensive, and I think, in the U.S. in general, a lot of those businesses are falling by the wayside that were profitable, but where the owner had to be there hands-on to make it happen,” he said.

Ralph Hoehne, owner of Kingston Realty, said he has no plans to shut down the forge, due to the difficulty of purchasing quality metals today.

Currently, it is used by the company for fixing items like the metal tools, trailers and excavator it uses to maintain its properties.

Despite the lack of a dedicated blacksmith, it still has plenty to offer in its inventory, which is for sale to the public and, like the forge, viewable by appointment.

Hoehne said the items of the forge have a durability and resistance to rust not found in metal items today, indicating a light fixture, with its copper surface and brass screws, both of which do not rust, as an example.