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Sarasota News Leader, 4411 Bee Ridge Road, #336, Sarasota, FL (2025)

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12/30/2024

For anyone who may be planning outdoor activities, this is critically important news:

A burn ban has been put into effect for Sarasota County because of local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards, the Sarasota County Fire Department announced on Dec. 28.

“Under Sarasota County’s burn ban ordinance (Sarasota County Code Section 58-2), burn bans automatically go into effect countywide and prohibit almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500, a news release explains.

“All outdoor burning is prohibited unless a permit has been issued,” the release adds. The ban applies not only to the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County but also to the city of Sarasota.
Exceptions to the include cooking on barbeque grills or in pits that do not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height, “or any other valid state or county-authorized burn,” the release says.

The burn ban automatically will be lifted after the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days, the release points out. “This announcement will be made on the county website, scgov.net; on Sarasota County social media pages; and through the news media, the release adds.

Leaders of the Sarasota County Fire Department are asking “all residents to stay vigilant during these dry conditions and to take the following actions to protect their families and homes from fire danger,” the release says:
• “Create three zones of defensible space around your home or business.
• “Clear trash and dead vegetation from the yard.
• “Remove leaves and debris from roof, gutters and under decks.
• “Have a plan and an emergency preparedness kit packed in case you need to evacuate quickly, especially if your home is near wildlands.
• “Monitor local media for updates on road closures, smoke conditions and other hazards.
• “Use extreme caution when grilling, camping and discarding cigarettes.”
• Do not use anything (such as lawn mowers) “that may create sparks outside on dry, windy days.
• “If you see something, say something! Call 911 if you see fire in your area.

“Should a wildfire occur,” residents who live near the scene are urged to follow the directions from the Fire Department, which could include evacuations, the release points out.

For more information, call 311 in Sarasota County or visit scgov.net/fire.

12/10/2024

If you live in Nokomis or the surrounding community, you should know this information about a meeting tomorrow, Dec. 11, regarding the future of fire coverage in that area. That could include the county's adding a portion of Nokomis to the county's Fire and Rescue District.

This afternoon, Sarasota County Government staff released the following advisory:

The Sarasota County Fire Department will host a community meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m., at Sarasota County Fire Station 23, which stands at 1930 N. Tamiami Trail in Nokomis. The meeting will feature a presentation to the public about how the department provides fire protection and EMS services, public education, community programming, and more resources to the community. (The accompanying map shows the location of Fire Station No. 23.)

Additionally, the advisory points out, a public hearing is planned for the Dec. 17 Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners meeting, in regard to whether a portion of Nokomis will be included in Sarasota County Fire and Rescue District.

"To ensure equity in assessment fees and services provided through those funds in unincorporated Sarasota County, the Sarasota County Fire Department (SCFD) is seeking direction from the Board of County Commissioners regarding the possibility of including a portion of the Nokomis area in the county’s 2025 tax year’s non-ad valorem assessment district," the advisory explains.

This would make the Sarasota County Fire Department the primary fire and EMS service in the response area based out of Fire Station No. 23, which was rebuilt in 2024, the advisory adds. The Sarasota County Fire Department already provides EMS services throughout the Nokomis area.

“We appreciate the work of the volunteers at Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department; there is a rich history in volunteerism in the fire service and to this community,” said Emergency Services Director Rich Collins in the advisory. “This is not a question of the level of service they provide, this is about the equity of fire assessment rate payment across unincorporated Sarasota County and that residents in the rest of the assessment district are subsidizing fire services in this area.”

The Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department, which provides the primary fire response in the area, exists as a 501(c)(4) nonprofit organization and does not possess the authority to levy special assessments or impact fees, the advisory points out
Residents in the Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department service area do not pay into the county’s non-ad valorem fire assessment district.
The result is that unincorporated Sarasota County residents and businesses are subsidizing the cost of fire rescue and protection services, specialized hazardous materials, and rescue responses as well as a Sarasota County fire station in Nokomis.

The county Fire Department also "provides mutual and automatic aid to the area to make up the effective response force needed to effectively mitigate fire suppression incidents," the advisory says.

12/10/2024

If you drive regularly on the Stickney Point Road drawbridge to and from Siesta Key, you need to know this information that FDOT just released:

Motorists will encounter multiple bridge openings Dec. 11 and Dec. 12, from 7 p.m. to midnight, as workers with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) conduct required testing of the Stickney Point Bridge’s hydraulic lifting and lowering systems as they complete the bridge improvement project. This is being done in the evenings to minimize traffic impacts.

During the functional testing, motorists can expect multiple openings and closings similar to normal bridge openings. Crews will clear traffic before another opening is allowed. Motorists should plan additional travel time or use the north bridge on Siesta Drive to access Siesta Key. Further, because of safety concerns, the bridge horn is required to sound with each opening and cannot be disabled.

12/06/2024

It is our great pleasure to publicize this wonderful event that the Sarasota Police Department holds each year for children. As the flyer points out, donations are most welcome.

12/02/2024

Because of the very cold weather, Sarasota County Government has announced the following shelter information:

The 100 Church, located at 14525 Tamiami Trail in North Port, will be available for cold weather sheltering beginning at 5 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 2, and again at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3. Those attending should bring their own sleeping materials.

Breeze Route 9, which is operating on a normal schedule, serves stops on Tamiami Trail at Espanola Avenue/Almonte Terrace (a 0.1-mile walk to 100 Church). Those in the North Port service area could also use Breeze OnDemand services. Visit www.scgov.net/breeze for information on Breeze services. The Breeze Rider app can also be used to check bus arrival times and plan routes.

Further, Emergency Management officials remind residents that pets should not be left outside during the cold weather. Those who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind.

Sarasota County Fire Department officials advise using extreme caution when heating your home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices.

11/25/2024

If you want to save 4% on your annual Sarasota County tax bill, you need to know the following information:

Saturday, Nov. 30, is the deadline for the 4% discount for property tax payments, the Sarasota County Tax Collector’s Office has announced, but “customers have plenty of time to pay using a variety of payment options,” a news release says.

“Offices are closed November 28th and 29th for Thanksgiving, and the last week of November is a very busy time in our offices, so customers should plan ahead,” said Tax Collector Barbara Ford-Coates in the release.

“To better serve our customers who like to hand deliver their payment,” she added, “the annual property tax drive-through service” will be offered Monday, Dec. 2; payments delivered in person will secure the 4% discount, as well, Ford-Coates noted in the release.

While the Mid-County Office, located at 6100 Sawyer Loop Road in Sarasota, has a drive-through lane for all payments, she continued, in downtown Sarasota at the Terrace Building and in Venice at the R.L. Anderson Administration Building, customers also may pay their taxes without leaving their vehicles.

“Customers should bring their entire tax bill and check already written for the November amount due,” Ford-Coates pointed out in the release. “The top portion of the bill will be stamped paid and returned.”

To receive the 4% discount, other payment options are as follows:
• Online — www.SarasotaTaxCollector.com by 11:59 pm EST Saturday, Nov. 30; payment by eCheck involves no fee. A paid receipt can be printed immediately.
• Mail — envelope postmarked by Saturday, Nov. 30, sent to 101 S. Washington Blvd., Sarasota FL 34236, with check payable to Sarasota County Tax Collector.
• Drive-Through — Dec. 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at these locations: downtown Sarasota at the Terrace Building, which stands at 101 S. Washington Blvd.; Mid-County Office, in the drive-through lane, at 6100 Sawyer Loop Road; in Venice at the Anderson Administration Building, located at 4000 S. Tamiami Trail.
• Drop box — checks only must be deposited by 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in a 24-hour drop box at the following locations: downtown Sarasota at the Terrace Building entrance on Adams Lane; at the main entrance of the Mid-County office; at the main entrance of the Anderson Administration Center in Venice (facing U.S. 41); and at North Port City Hall in the bypass lane of the utility payment drive-through.
• In person — appointments are highly recommended; they may be scheduled at www.SarasotaTaxCollector.com.

11/21/2024

This is very important information for persons who have suffered the effects of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, courtesy of Sarasota County Government staff:

A Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Survivor Assistance registration event will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Nov. 25, Nov. 26 and Nov. 27 at the Venice Community Center, in Room E.

The center stands at 326 S. Nokomis Ave. in Venice.

This event will assist residents with FEMA registration for both Hurricanes Helene and Milton, a news release points out.

Additionally, Secretary Shevaun Harris of the Florida Department of Children and Families has announced a Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) location for residents of Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

D-SNAP provides food assistance for Florida residents affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton “who are not receiving food assistance through the regular Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP),” the release points out.

Individuals who reside in Sarasota and Charlotte counties “who pre-registered online but did not have a chance to complete their D-SNAP phone interview can visit the D-SNAP location … for an in-person interview,” the release explains. “In-person interviews are not required if a phone interview was completed,” it points out.

“The Department will reopen pre-registration for individuals who reside in these counties and did not previously pre-register online,” the release adds.

However, the release notes, “We encourage individuals to pre-register online before coming on-site to complete their interview. Online pre-registration is open, the release adds; it will close on Nov. 23. Individuals may pre-register at www.myflfamilies.com/DSNAP.

For Charlotte and Sarasota counties, the location of the D-SNAP site is the Charlotte Sports Park, which stands at 2300 El Jobean Road in Port Charlotte (33948). The hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

11/18/2024

Today, Sarasota County staff announced important information about the ongoing storm debris collections, including a deadline for the acceptance of self-hauled materials at two county sites:

We have all the details:
https://sarasotanewsleader.com/countys-storm-debris-contractors-to-take-thanksgiving-break-between-nov-25-and-dec-1/

11/15/2024

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has announced details of its 2024 Holiday Toy Drive, which the agency's members hope will benefit many more children and teens. The Sheriff's Office launched the initiative in 2017.

We have all of the information about this year's Toy Drive in our free story:
https://sarasotanewsleader.com/plans-announced-for-sheriffs-offices-eighth-annual-holiday-toy-drive/

11/01/2024

Sarasota County Government staff has launched an interactive map to enable residents to learn when their storm debris will be collected. We have all of the details in our free article this week:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/with-more-than-429000-cubic-yards-of-storm-debris-collected-through-oct-29-sarasota-county-staff-launches-interactive-map-so-residents-can-learn-about-timelines-for-specific-neighborhoods/

10/30/2024

We couldn't resist sharing this from Sarasota Memorial Hospital, to really brighten the week.

This is the note from SMH Public Information Office Kim Savage in an email this morning:

🎃 Halloween has arrived at Sarasota Memorial Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit! Thanks to the generous spirit of a former NICU mom, SMH’s littlest and most fragile patients are celebrating their first Halloween in style.

10/29/2024

If you drive on State Road 72 east of I-75 on a regular basis, you need to know this information from FDOT:

Debris removal operations are scheduled for Thursday, October 31, on State Road 72 between I-75 and DeSoto County. Work will begin along the corridor at 7 a.m. and continue through 4 p.m.

Motorists should anticipate delays and exercise caution while traveling through the work zone.

10/28/2024

The City of Sarasota has resumed some parking enforcement in downtown Sarasota, while public parking spaces on St. Armands Circle and Lido Key remain free for now. (The State Street parking garage is pictured.)

We have all the details from city staff:
https://sarasotanewsleader.com/public-parking-remaining-free-on-st-armands-circle-and-lido-key-for-time-being-city-of-sarasota-staff-reports/

10/25/2024

This is a lovely gesture by The Ringling Museum staff, explained in the following news release that the staff just issued:

With many neighborhoods and walkways still burdened with post-hurricane debris, The Ringling will host a free, safe and enjoyable family-friendly Halloween experience.

On Thursday, Oct. 31, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., families can enjoy trick-or-treating in costume throughout the Museum of Art’s Courtyard. Guides will offer tours throughout the Museum of Art’s galleries for a special spooky-themed “seek and find.” Art making opportunities will be offered and The Historic Asolo Theater will host vintage Halloween short films.

“Neighborhoods have been greatly impacted and may not be safe or ready for trick or treating,” says Ames Morton-Winter, Family Programs coordinator at The Ringling, in the release. “So, this is our effort to offer an alternative. So far, I’ve shared the idea for this event verbally with visitors. Families have been very excited.”

This is one of several ways that the education team at The Ringling has been activated after Hurricane Milton. Last Saturday, The Ringling hosted a Free Family Fun Day, with more than 75 participants joining in art-making activities during which they turned debris from the hurricane into art works. “Most of them were families I’d never seen before, which is so exciting for us,” noted Morton-Winter.

The Museum of Art, The Tibbals Learning Center (which houses the circus model), The Grillroom and The John M. McKay Visitor Center are open to the public daily. The Kotler-Coville Glass Pavilion is open to the public and is always free.

Regularly scheduled family programming is always free including ROAR, a free storytime that connects art with early literacy; Family Art Making; Stroller Tours; Homeschool Third Thursdays; and Ringling Reflections, which are relaxed, conversation-based gallery tours in the Museum of Art followed by artmaking for people with memory loss and their care partners.

"The Ringling is a central institution for our region,” said Katie Nickel, head of educational programming. “Our capacity to respond and support families means our region is more resilient in the face of disasters and change. For families to be able to have a safe Halloween means that we have an opportunity to transform an experience of trauma into wonder and respite."

For more information and to register to attend the free Halloween program, visit https://www.ringling.org/event/halloween-at-the-ringling/

10/25/2024

This is very important information for people who live — or drive regularly — in the area of the intersection of Orange Avenue and Gulfview Drive in the city of Sarasota:

The traffic signal at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Gulfview Drive will be removed soon because of “concerns about the signal’s integrity and potential public safety issues discovered during a post-hurricane inspection,” City of Sarasota staff has announced.

The wire span signal, which was damaged during Hurricane Milton, “will be replaced with one stop sign at Gulfview Drive,” a news release says. “No stop signs will be installed on Orange Avenue,” the release points out.

“The new traffic control pattern will go into effect Monday, Oct. 28,” the release adds. The adjustment is a temporary measure while city staff members monitor traffic operations at the intersection and evaluate the situation for a long-term solution, the release explains.

Electronic message boards have been placed on Orange Avenue and Gulfview Drive to notify drivers about the traffic control change, the release says.

For status updates, visit www.Sarasotafl.gov/Alerts and follow the City of Sarasota on social media.

10/24/2024

This morning, the Sarasota County Communications Department released these "Fast Facts" about Hurricane Milton's effects on the county.

10/24/2024

The staff members of the Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department have pulled together an outstanding line-up for this year's Off the Page literary celebration. Numerous bestselling authors will be making appearances across the county.

We have all the details for the event, which will start on Nov. 1:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/off-the-page-literary-celebration-to-begin-nov-1-in-county-libraries-with-numerous-bestselling-authors/

10/22/2024

Looking for a stress reliever that puts you outdoors, working for a wonderful cause? The Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast has two events coming up this week that may interest you:

https://sarasotanewsleader.com/volunteers-wanted-for-tree-planting-events-hosted-by-the-conservation-foundation-of-the-gulf-coast-on-oct-25-and-oct-26/

Sarasota News Leader

12/30/2024

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