Sarasota & Manatee Counties news thread

[wondermint2]

Manatee County Fair returns, and other local events around Bradenton to start 2024

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/tri...3cbbea76&ei=58

The first few months of the year bring some of the Bradenton-Sarasota area's most anticipated annual events, starting with the Manatee County Fair.

Other big happenings coming soon include the Bradenton Area River Regatta, the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival, Thunder by the Bay and the St. Barbara Greek Festival.

Here's a look at local calendar highlights for early 2024.

[wondermint2]

Metros where homes are selling for the most under asking price

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/real...3cbbea76&ei=31

Stacker analyzed data from Redfin to see which metros had the most homes sell under the asking price.

Metros include the main city as well as its surrounding towns and suburbs. Metros with fewer than 300 home sales in November 2023 are excluded from this list.

The ranking considers the average sale-to-list ratio, which is the difference between what a home listed for and how much a buyer actually paid. Also listed are the metro area’s median listing prices for homes on the market in November and median sale prices for homes that sold during that month.

[wondermint2]

Tool making apprentice program at PGT Innovations in Venice creates career opportunities

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/care...4a6d8580&ei=46

The apprenticeship program at PGT Industries is part of an effort to increase awareness in the state of Florida of the need for and value of jobs in manufacturing.

A Florida Department of Education annual report on apprenticeship programs noted that more employers across the state are fostering the creation of those programs, with 275 active apprenticeships, 53 active pre-apprenticeships, and 3,600 participating employers reported.

[wondermint2]

This is an opinion article by Terry Connor - the superindent of the Sarasota County school district.

Education bills will benefit Sarasota County's school district

For full article:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ed...4a6d8580&ei=48

Strides in Tallahassee, especially regarding the upcoming legislative session starting Jan. 9.

A significant focus has been the Florida Senate's forward-thinking push for deregulating public schools, which promises to bring refreshing changes to our educational landscape.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo articulated a clear and pragmatic approach to deregulation. Her framework, based on three insightful questions, is a testament to a thoughtful and constructive legislative process.

These questions aim to streamline regulations and ensure they are necessary, but they also strive to make sure those regulations don't compromise student safety and can be effectively managed on the local level.

This approach signals a shift toward more autonomy and flexibility for public schools –and it would align public schools more closely with their private counterparts.

The proposed Senate bills – CS/SB 7000, CS/SB 7002 and CS/SB 7004 – address critical areas: personnel management, district operations and instructional practices. These bills have made commendable progress in the Senate and are poised to bring about significant positive changes that include:

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Activists plan march at Palmetto police department over alleged brutality leading to death

https://www.wmnf.org/activists-plan-...ding-to-death/

Activist groups are planning a press conference and march at the Palmetto Police Department. This comes as they claim a man was brutalized by police during a paranoia episode.

On November 1st, 36-year-old Breonte Johnson-Davis Sr. suffered a paranoia episode when an emergency call was made. Activist groups say the video shows him being tased and punched multiple times. He went into cardiac arrest and died the next day at the hospital.

Ruth Beltran is a community organizer for the Party for Socialism and Liberation Tampa Bay.

“The family has been left with absolutely no answers at all. Not even a simple police report has been provided to the family.”

The group is calling for an independent investigation and better response from police to mental health crises.

“The entire county of Manatee needs to implement a program where, when there is an emergency call that involves mental health issues or someone dealing with drug addiction, mental health professionals respond to those calls instead of police.”

Palmetto Police Chief Scott Tyler told WMNF that details, including the police report and full video, have not been released due to an ongoing FDLE investigation of the case.

Tyler is hoping the investigation will be completed in the next few weeks.

Activist groups will be holding the Press conference and March at Palmetto Police Department on January 7th at 2 pm.

Palmetto Police Department ask for independent investigation on Marchman Act case (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.mysuncoast.com/2024/01/0...hman-act-case/

Palmetto Police Oficers are dispatched to Circle K store at 1706 8th Avenue Wesst to reports of a customer being aggressive with staff and customers.

Upon arrival officers observed a person matching the description given by the caller running south on 8th Avenue West, away from the store.

As officers made contact with 36-year-old Breonte Johnson-Davis he began banging on the driver’s window with his fists preventing the officer from exiting his vehicle.

He then jumped on the hood of the patrol car and began rolling around, based on this behavior officers attempted to take him into custody under a Marchman Act.

What is The Marchman Act?

“The Marchman Act provides for voluntary admissions and involuntary assessment, stabilization, and treatment of adults and youth who are severely impaired due to substance abuse.”

Johnson-Davis actively resisted the officer’s attempts to restrain him and an officer tased him to gain control.

He was then put into handcuffs and Manatee County EMS was called as protocol, but Johnson-Davis suffered a medical episode as paramedics began lifesaving measures.

He would later pass away on November 3rd at Manatee Memorial Hospital.

Chief Scott Tyler contacted the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for an independent investigation into this incident as the investigation is still ongoing.

Once the investigation is completed it will be forwarded to the State Attorney’s Office for review.

[wondermint2]

Manatee County accelerates land conservation from 2020 referendum

There are eight properties currently in the acquisition process, but Mixon Fruit Farms is out of the running.

For full article:

https://www.yourobserver.com/news/20...-conservation/

After more than three years, Manatee County is starting to acquire the conservation land it promised voters.

In November 2020, the Conservation and Parks Projects Referendum passed with 71% of the vote. The first property purchased as a result of the referendum, Crooked River Ranch, will close early this year.

The program is funded through a 0.15 millage ad valorem tax and the issuance of up to $50 million in bonds. The goal is to acquire and improve land, protect water resources, preserve wildlife habitats and provide parks.

“I’m not going to pretend that it didn’t take longer than it should have, but we were creating something out of thin air,” Commissioner George Kruse said. “It’s a brand new fund, a brand new millage. We’re just figuring out how it works.”

[wondermint2]

Multimillion-dollar Nokomis beach home is paradise on earth — but only 472 square feet

For full article & photos:

https://www.mahoningmatters.com/news...283872543.html

Tiny homes have proven that amazing things can come in small packages. But while one house for sale in Nokomis, Florida, meets all the requirements for a tiny home and then some, the price tag might be a tad on the steep side … at $4.25 million.

On average, a tiny home costs around $300 per square foot and can run between $30,000 and $60,000, Rocket Mortgage reports. They can even run as a high as $150,000 if the owner chooses to add high-end features.

This one-bedroom, one-bathroom home, which was built in 1950, costs $9,004 per square foot. Of course, one isn’t paying for just the 472-square-foot house. There’s the lot and that crystal-clear view of the sapphire blue and emerald green Gulf Coast. “Nearly half an acre and 108 feet of frontage on the Gulf of Mexico is prime for building your dream home,” the listing on Sotheby’s International Realty says.

The property was bought in 2017 for $361,200 before it was put on the market for $4.5 million in March 2023.

[wondermint2]

Dozens of dead roaches found at Bradenton-area restaurant: State health inspections

For full article:

https://www.newsbreak.com/bradenton-...th-inspections

Florida’s Division of Hotels and Restaurants routinely inspects restaurants, food trucks and other food service establishments for public health and cleanliness issues.

The reports are public information.

During the most recent inspections in Manatee County, restaurants were cited for issues including no employee handwashing or hair restraints.

A Myakka City restaurant was cited for dozens of dead roaches on site.

Here’s what inspectors found:

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*Editor’s Note: According to the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, these reports are a “snapshot” of the conditions present at the time of the inspection and are public record. The agency is required to inspect every licensed restaurant at least once per year, but new and “high-risk” establishments tend to be inspected more frequently.

When an emergency shutdown order is given by an inspector, it must first be reviewed and approved by agency supervisors. In order for a business to reopen, an inspector will continue visiting the establishment daily until compliance is met. Some citations may include a financial penalty. Inspectors may also respond to complaints, which can be filed at www.myfloridalicense.com .

The Bradenton Herald’s weekly dirty dining reports list restaurants where inspectors found issues that might concern the average diner — such as unsafe food temperatures, employee hand-washing issues or moldy drink machines — regardless of whether or not the businesses passed inspection.

[wondermint2]

Christian Ziegler investigation: GOP to vote on chairman’s fate today

Republican leaders are gathering behind closed doors in Tallahassee on Monday to vote on the fate of chairman Christian Ziegler who is under investigation for rape.


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

[wondermint2]

Originally Posted by wondermint2

Downtown Venice tree replacement starts 12/12

For map:

https://www.venicegov.com/Home/Compo...s/News/5410/18

Starting Tuesday, Dec. 12, the City of Venice will begin replacement of the downtown trees lost in Hurricane Ian. The first phase of the project will replace trees in the center median of W. Venice Ave., from Harbor Dr. to U.S. 41 Business. Periodic lane closures will be necessary from Dec. 12-19 to complete tree replacement safely. See below map

The second phase in January will replace the trees in the sidewalk planters on W. Venice Ave. and W. Miami Ave. Temporary parking spaces and sidewalk closures will be required for this work.

Motorists and pedestrians should exercise caution during tree replacement and be alert for changing traffic patterns. For questions, please contact City Engineer Kathleen Weeden at kweeden@venicefl.gov or 941-441-7285 or City Arborist Jim Yelverton at jyelverton@venicefl.gov.

Venice residents to likely encounter slowdown in downtown starting Monday (Video)

For full article & video:

https://www.snntv.com/story/50305925...tarting-monday

Drivers may encounter some slowdown traveling downtown Venice starting Monday.

The City of Venice will begin replacing downtown sidewalk trees that were lost due to Hurricane Ian.

The project will primarily affect the sidewalks of the 200 and 300 blocks of West Venice Avenue, mainly on the eastbound side, and the 200 block of Miami Avenue.

To ensure the project's safe completion, the city said periodic lane and parking space closures will be necessary from Jan. 8 to Feb. 16. Some parking spaces may be closed overnight.

Drivers and pedestrians should exercise caution during tree replacement and be alert for changing traffic patterns and sidewalk work zones.