Edition #23 3-min read Sunrise 7:36 AM in Sarasota
Overnight Roundup
While You Were Sleeping: Monday, Oct. 26
Monday's overnight catch-up: a North Port woman's dengue case raises questions about Sarasota County's count, Manatee voters weigh a bigger land conservation program, the wind sticks around through Wednesday, Longboat Key keeps its seven-seat commission, and a Sarasota clay shoot raises money for service dogs.
Morning, Suncoast. It's Monday, the wind still hasn't gotten the memo that the weekend is over, and the patio furniture is holding on with everything it has.
There's a North Port dengue case worth reading about before you head out to the yard, a big land question on Manatee's ballot, and a quiet decision on Longboat Key. Here's what happened while you slept.
Health
1. North Port woman's dengue case wasn't counted locally
Jerri Goodlin, 63, of North Port, spent five days in the hospital with dengue fever in September and believes she was infected by mosquitoes near her home, Suncoast Searchlight reports. Her case was twice reported to the Florida Department of Health, but the agency says Sarasota County has not recorded a single locally acquired dengue case this year. A health department spokesperson said the county "currently has no active transmission of dengue, and no locally acquired human cases," and would not say how it determined where Goodlin was infected, citing patient privacy laws.
Why it matters: The discrepancy raises questions about how officials decide where infections originate as Florida sees its largest dengue outbreak in decades; a UF researcher's advice is repellent, long sleeves and dumping standing water.
Town Hall-ish Government
2. Manatee voters weigh bigger land conservation program
Manatee County voters will decide in November whether to expand the county's land conservation program with a higher property tax and up to $75 million in bonds, WUSF and Suncoast Searchlight report. Voters approved the original program in 2020 with more than 70% support; it has since bought more than 300 acres, but supporters say much of the first $50 million is spent or committed. The new round would also let the county buy development rights through conservation easements, and would cost the median homesteaded owner about $34 a year, according to the campaign.
Why it matters: Supporters say protecting land around the Manatee River and its tributaries helps protect drinking water as the county, up nearly 70,000 residents since 2020, keeps growing.
Source: WUSF / Suncoast Searchlight Copy link
Traffic & Tides Weather
3. Gusty winds stick around through Wednesday
Breezy, sunny weather continues today with highs in the mid-80s, and gusty northeast winds will keep a small craft advisory in place through Wednesday evening, WWSB reports. Rough seas will make the Gulf, Tampa Bay and Charlotte Harbor hazardous for boaters, and smaller vessels should stay in port. Scattered afternoon showers return by Thursday or Friday, mostly east of the interstate, and no tropical threat is expected in the next five days.
Why it matters: The persistent winds will also keep tides running below normal levels, according to the forecast.
Source: WWSB / MySuncoast Copy link
Government
4. Longboat Key commission decides to stay at seven seats
Longboat Key commissioners decided against Mayor Debra Williams' proposal to shrink the Town Commission from seven members to five, Your Observer reports. Williams floated the idea during the town's once-a-decade charter review, citing a history of uncontested races, but the consensus was to keep the current five districts and two at-large seats. Commissioners did agree to make the monthly workshop optional when there's nothing to discuss.
Why it matters: The commission votes on the new draft charter in November, and voters get the final say in a March election.
Source: Your Observer Copy link
Neighbor News Community
5. Sarasota clay shoot raises money for service dogs
The annual Backwoods Blast clay shoot at Sarasota Trap and Skeet raised money Sunday for Canines 4 Heroes, which trains and pairs service dogs with local veterans and first responders, WWSB reports. Organizers said 100% of the funds go toward that work. Navy veteran Jim Berger, who was trained with his own service dog through the group, said the dog is "much more than just a pet."
Source: WWSB / MySuncoast Copy link
That's the news, friends. Bug spray on, boat stays tied up, and Game 3 is tonight at the Trop. See you tomorrow morning.