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- Harvey Milk Festival wants to connect you with your ‘inner activist’
- New PAC launches campaign for nonpartisan county elections
- Waechter charged with felony in case involving Ramirez
- Top stories – Nov. 2 Edition
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- ‘No swim’ advisory posted for Bird Key Park
- Romney rally a violation of Ringling Museum no-politics policy
- Search for new police chief down to final five
- Blessed be they, large and small
- Siesta stormwater project set to go out for bid in November
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The Sarasota News Leader is a news publication founded and edited by Rachel Brown Hackney, a veteran journalist with more than three decades experience. For the past several years, she was the editor of The Pelican Press on Siesta Key.
The Sarasota News Leader became a full-featured electronic weekly - or eWeekly - on September 21, 2012, with the publication of the first edition readable on iPad, Android, Kindle, Nook and other personal readers, as well as laptop or desktop computers.
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Category Archives: Environmental News
Top stories – Nov. 2 Edition
Click on the pages below to read the entire article: To see all stories in this week’s edition, click on the cover below:
Posted in Ask Otus, City of Sarasota, Downtown Sarasota, Environmental News, Neighborhoods, Political News, Sarasota County, Weather
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‘No swim’ advisory posted for Bird Key Park
A “no swim” advisory has been issued for Bird Key Park, a recently renovated recreational area directly west of the Ringling Causeway bridge on the north side of Bird Key. Sarasota County Health Department officials received testing results from beach … Continue reading
Posted in City of Sarasota, Environmental News, Health & Medicine
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Siesta stormwater project set to go out for bid in November
Open house on beach improvements set for October Sarasota County probably will put the Siesta stormwater project out for bid in November, with the bid award expected in February, the project manager told members of the Siesta Key Association during … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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Florida Association of Counties pushes ‘softly’ to get Sarasota County to sign onto oil spill fund consortium
Representatives from the Florida Association of Counties updated the Sarasota County Commission Sept. 12 on its work to unify the 23 gulf counties affected by the 2010 BP oil spill into a consortium that could control Florida’s share of the … Continue reading
News Briefs for Sept. 14, 2012
International Coastal Cleanup planned for Sept. 15 Keep Sarasota County Beautiful is seeking volunteers to participate in the 2012 International Coastal Cleanup from 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday, Sept. 15. A Siesta Key Association team of volunteers will clean … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Transportation
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Koch-backed tea party group rolls into Sarasota
“It’s not about a party, it’s not about helping one guy or the other,” Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips told the crowd, but the 60 or so activists and volunteers who turned up at AFP’s Sarasota headquarters last Friday … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Political News
Tagged 13 Patriots, Americans for Prosperity, David Koch, Koch brothers, Mitt Romney, Obama, Solyndra, tea party, Tea Party Manatee, Tim Phillips
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State rep candidates squabble over tax cuts, Citizens insurance, voter suppression
Exactly two months before election day, four incumbent Republican state representatives and two Democratic challengers met on the Sarasota Tiger Bay Club stage to debate taxes, insurance, growth management, voter suppression and more. The panel featured state Reps. Jim Boyd, … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Political News, State Government
Tagged Adam Tebrugge, Citizens Property Insurance Company, Doug Holder, Greg Steube, Jim Boyd, Lisa Carlton, Liz Alpert, Ray Pilon, Rick Scott, Sarasota Tiger Bay Club
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News Briefs for Sept. 7
Access 5 parking lot to be closed Sept. 10 The Siesta Beach Access 5 parking lot, at the intersection of Ocean Boulevard and Beach Road will be closed from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 10, during construction at … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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FPL easement granted for stormwater project on Siesta
With no comment, the Sarasota County Commission on Aug. 21 voted unanimously to grant a permanent utility easement to Florida Power and Light Co. for “the construction, operation, and maintenance” of underground and above-ground electrical utility facilities to accommodate the … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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What to do with BP oil spill fines?
Twenty-eight months after an explosion at a Gulf of Mexico oil rig led to the worst environmental disaster in American history, Sarasota County officials met to discuss how much money the area might receive from federal penalties imposed on BP, … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Florida News, Local Government, Sarasota County, State Government, Tourism
Tagged Bill Little, Bill Nelson, BP, Deepwater Horizon, Florida Association of Counties, Gulf Coast Restoration Trust Fund
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Ask Otus: The truth about tegus
Otus Rufous, an Eastern Screech-Owl, was born on Siesta Key and is a full-time resident there. An avid hunter, accomplished vocalist and genuine night owl, Otus is a keen observer of our local wildlife and knows many of nature’s secrets. … Continue reading
Posted in Ask Otus, Environmental News, Siesta Key, Wildlife
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County crews continuing their battle with seaweed
Sarasota County crews have removed more than 300 tons of seaweed from county beaches since July 1, county officials have announced. County staff and inmates from the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Offender Work Program are continuing the effort to clean beaches … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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County commissioners oppose stockpiling of fill material in plain sight of Beach Road
Material from stormwater project could save beach plan expenses Stockpiling material excavated at the Siesta Key Public Beach park for the stormwater drainage project on-site could save the county about $250,000 and prove less disruptive for Siesta Key residents, the … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism, Wildlife
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County team to continue outreach to Casey Key homeowners
Effort under way to inform residents about watermain project Members of the project team involved in the replacement of the watermain between south Siesta Key and north Casey Key were able to find only eight of 43 homeowners when they … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Neighborhoods, Sarasota County, Siesta Key
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‘No Swim’ advisory lifted at Lido Casino Beach
A “No Swim” advisory for Lido Casino Beach, 400 Ben Franklin Drive, Lido Key, was lifted this afternoon, Aug. 22. It had been in place since Thursday, Aug. 16. Sarasota County Health Department officials received testing results from samples taken Tuesday, Aug. … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Sarasota County
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Crews continuing seaweed removal from Siesta and Lido beaches
Sarasota County crews began seaweed cleanup operations on Siesta Public Beach today, Aug. 20, with the cleanup expected to last through Wednesday, Aug. 22, a county news release reports. A cleanup of Lido Beach, 400 Ben Franklin Drive, Sarasota, will begin Thursday, … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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Tides still bringing, removing seaweed from county beaches
Sarasota County beaches are continuing to show the effects of tidal activity with accumulations of seaweed on beaches, a county news release reported Aug. 15. Subsequent tides are removing sizable portions of the seaweed, the release added. Sarasota County Parks … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Tourism, Wildlife
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Casey Key residents threaten to block access to road for watermain project
Three residents on Casey Key have indicated they will block access to the North Casey Key Road for a watermain project unless the contractor meets demands they have made, Sarasota County’s interim utilities program manager notified County Administrator Randall Reid … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Neighborhoods, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Transportation
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‘No swim’ advisory issued for Lido Casino Beach
A “no swim” advisory has been issued for the second time in two weeks for Lido Casino Beach, 400 Ben Franklin Drive on Lido Key, Sarasota County Government has announced. Health Department officials received testing results from beach water samples … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County, Tourism
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Siesta seen: Thieves targeting Impalas
While the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is trying to crack down on vehicle burglaries at Siesta’s beaches, Code Enforcement officers are trying to crack down on illegal parking in residential areas on the island, Sgt. Scott Osborne told members of … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Siesta Seen, Tourism, Wildlife
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More snowy plover chicks anticipated to hatch on Siesta
After the devastation of Tropical Storm Debby and losses to natural predation earlier this summer, Siesta Key’s birdwatchers finally found two tiny rays of hope last week. Catherine Luckner, president of the Siesta Key Association and a Sarasota Audubon volunteer, … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Siesta Key, Wildlife
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McLendon candidacy a test of local tea party muscle
When Randy McLendon saw the list of donors supporting Republican County Commission candidate Charles Hines, he recognized more than a few names, many of whom, he says, supported Charlie Crist in Crist’s independent U.S. Senate bid instead of Republican Marco … Continue reading
Posted in Education, Environmental News, Local Government, Political News, Religion, Sarasota County
Tagged Charles Hines, Charlie Crist, Department of Homeland Security, DREAM Act, Eric Ernst, Marco Rubio, Obama, Randy McLendon, Taking Our Country Back, tea party
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Beach water advisory lifted at Lido Casino Beach
A beach water advisory for Lido Casino Beach has been lifted, Sarasota County officials announced the evening of Aug. 4. Sarasota County Health Department officials said they received testing results from samples taken Friday, Aug. 3, that were at a … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Tourism
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Beach-water advisory issued for Lido Casino Beach
A beach-water advisory has been issued for the Lido Casino beach, Sarasota County health officials have announced. Health Department staff received testing results from beach-water samples taken on Wednesday, Aug. 1, that showed an elevated level of enterococci (enteric) bacteria, … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Sarasota County
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Volunteers sought for seagrass survey
Sarasota County is seeking volunteers for its seagrass survey program, which collects data on local seagrass, algae, water clarity and depth from locations throughout Sarasota’s bays. “Seagrass is vital to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, improving water quality, stabilizing shorelines and … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Plaintiffs contend county must remain a defendant in Midnight Pass suit
The Midnight Pass Society and its fellow plaintiffs in a federal lawsuit seeking the reopening of Midnight Pass say they have met their legal burden in alleging a case against Sarasota County. Therefore, in a motion filed July 3 in … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Tourism, Wildlife
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Seaweed to be cleaned up on Siesta Aug. 3
With seaweed continuing to wash up on Sarasota County beaches, county workers tackled Lido Beach on Thursday, Aug. 2, George Tatge, manager of the county’s Parks and Recreation Department, notified the county commissioners this week. Cleanup will proceed on Siesta … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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Seaweed cleanup on Venice Beach expected to start no later than Saturday
Equipment problems have hampered Sarasota County workers this afternoon in their effort to start cleaning up a mix of red drift algae and seaweed on South County beaches, George Tatge, a county parks and recreation manager, told The Sarasota News … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Tourism
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Wood stork a key character in stormwater drainage project’s delay at Siesta Public Beach
A type of stork not known to local birdwatchers as a regular resident of mangroves near Siesta Public Beach nonetheless is proving a key factor in holding up final permits needed for the stormwater drainage project at the beach, The … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Wildlife
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Some Venice businesses without water this afternoon
Several businesses in the 1600 block of U.S. 41 Bypass in Venice have lost water service, Sarasota County has announced. Crews installing a tap in the watermain discovered a problem with the line, which has been shut down for repairs, … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Seaweed cleaned up on Siesta and Lido beaches
On Saturday, Sarasota County workers cleaned up seaweed that had come ashore on Siesta Key Public Beach starting Thursday, July 19, George Tatge, a county parks and recreation manager, told The Sarasota News Leader today, July 23. Workers probably would … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Siesta Seen: North bridge appears to be on schedule
Although she was responsible for plenty of damage in the county, at least Tropical Storm Debby appears not to have delayed the timeline for completing work on the north Siesta bridge. That was the word today, July 20, from Jennifer … Continue reading
Posted in Crime & Law Enforcement, Environmental News, Siesta Key, Siesta Seen, Tourism, Transportation, Wildlife
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Residents warned not to swim at Lido, Turtle and North Jetty beaches
Beach water advisories have been issued for the Lido, Turtle and North Jetty beaches, Sarasota County Health Department officials announced late Thursday, July 19. Health Department officials received testing results from beach water samples taken Wednesday, July 18, that show … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Health & Medicine, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Tourism
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Recipe for the perfect sunset
We year-round residents are spoiled. That’s because in summer we’re treated to pyrotechnic sunsets beyond the wildest imaginings of snowbirds who are back home in Indiana. They’re used to “red ball descends into blue Gulf” with a regularity we would … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Tourism, Wildlife
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County Commission authorizes first steps in TDR pilot program
Board splits over funding for land management Given the continuing fluctuations in the housing market, the Sarasota County commissioners agreed July 11 that it was too soon to put a price on any transfer of development rights from lands the … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Commissioners say they had no choice but to OK hog hunts
Although 10 county residents pleaded with them not to approve feral hog hunts they described as barbaric and inhumane, the majority of the Sarasota County commissioners on July 10 said they had no choice but to act to preserve environmentally … Continue reading
Posted in Animals, Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Feral hog hunts approved on 4-1 vote
With Commissioner Jon Thaxton casting the solitary “No” vote, the Sarasota County Commission today, July 10, voted 4-1 to allow a pilot program for hunting feral hogs to proceed in December and March 2013 on environmentally sensitive land in South … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Emergency permit applications available to deal with post-Debby coastal damage
Homeowners with damage from Tropical Storm Debby that occurred seaward of the Gulf Beach Setback Line can apply for emergency permits from the state to help them deal with it, Siesta Key Association President Catherine Luckner reported during the organization’s … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key
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After tweaks, EEZ program application approved
With the Sarasota County Economic Energy Zone Pilot Program having begun July 1, the County Commission on June 27 approved an application for firms to fill out so they can be considered for financial incentives to participate in the program. … Continue reading
Posted in Business, Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Storm impacts, Siesta Village issues on meeting agendas
During their monthly meetings this week, members of the Siesta Key Association are expected to hear an update on the damage Tropical Storm Debby inflicted on Sarasota County, while members of the Siesta Key Village Association are expected to hear … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key, Weather
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Stormwater discussion leads to confusion, rebuke
County commissioners debate staff’s approach to basin analysis What was pegged as an update for the Sarasota County Commission this week on the county’s Stormwater Environmental Utility Program and new state water quality standards ended up with commissioners confused about … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Harbor Acres stormwater system contaminated
A diluted mix of wastewater and stormwater flowed into the stormwater system in the Harbor Acres neighborhood today, June 25, as a result of heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Debby, the City of Sarasota reported. That rainfall created localized street flooding … Continue reading
Posted in City of Sarasota, Environmental News, Weather
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Grant still secure for Siesta stormwater project
The $975,000 grant the Southwest Florida Water Management District awarded Sarasota County for the stormwater project planned at Siesta Public Beach “is fine at this time,” Sarasota County Project Manager Curtis R. Smith told The Sarasota News Leader today, June … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County, Siesta Key
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Celebrating the solstice at Curry Creek Preserve
Officially it’s the solstice, but summer has long since come to the pine flatwoods. By 10 a.m. it’s hot. I’m in Venice at Curry Creek Preserve to visit the longleaf pines, unusual in this area. They’re one of the southernmost … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Parks and Recreation, Sarasota County
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Former staffer confirms existence of Urban Forestry Master Plan
Sarasota County Commissioner Joe Barbetta was right: The county does have an Urban Forestry Master Plan. Demetra McBride, who had served as the county’s manager of urban forestry before she left Sarasota in October 2010, emailed county staff June 11, … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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Topsy-turvy
I was startled the other day when a catalog arrived with a swimsuit on the cover. Down here they’re on the sale rack! I can tell you the day of the week and the month. It’s Florida’s seasons that confuse … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota People
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Siesta Seen: This little bird proves a seasoned traveler
Editor’s note: Former readers of the Pelican Press who enjoyed Rachel Brown Hackney’s “Island Beat” column, which kept all apprised of goings-on on Siesta Key, will be pleased to know that her new column — “Siesta Seen” — will be … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Siesta Key, Siesta Seen
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County Commission directs staff to research earlier Urban Forestry Master Plan
Concerned about duplicating work already completed on a Sarasota County Urban Forestry Master Plan, the County Commission voted unanimously June 5 not to launch a new initiative until staff had researched the earlier undertaking. Commissioner Nora Patterson’s motion also directed … Continue reading
Posted in Environmental News, Sarasota County
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