Newsletter 98

NEWS FROM THE SUNCOAST

STEAMY NIGHTS, MORNING RAINS

You’re not dreaming, the recent overnight lows in the Sarasota-Bradenton area are warmer. The average low has rise 5.4 degrees since 1970 because of climate change, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Regional Climate Centers. After 13.92 inches of rain in July, a slightly above-average rainfall of 4.5 inches this month (plus a very wet week this week) has led to flood watches and warnings on the Peace River at Arcadia, Bartow and Zolfo Springs, and at Myakka River State Park. A flood watch is currently in effect for Sarasota and Manatee counties. To read more on this story, please click here: Steamy Nights

HOME SALES BEAT CONDOS

Home sales improved but condominium sales sank during the second quarter in Southwest Florida, according to a new report. Buyers closed on 4,555 existing single-family homes in the Sarasota-Manatee region during the April-June period, the Florida Realtors trade group reported recently. That marked a 5.5% gain over the same period last year. But condo sales were off by 4.4% to a total of 2,049 units. Last year the two-county region set a record volume in condo sales. Click here if you want to read more: Home Sales Beat Condos

GREAT PLACES TO RETIRE

Folks who live here probably already know this, but three Southwest Florida cities were just named among the "7 Great Places to Retire in Florida". Sarasota, Punta Gorda and Venice were selected for the top three spots for retirement in the Sunshine State by Kiplinger’s personal finance. Sarasota "where life unfolds a bit more slowly" than nearby Tampa-St Petersburg, ranked first on the list, with plaudits for its upscale shopping on St. Armands Circle, the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System and white sand beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. Please follow the jump for more on this story: Great Places to Retire

A BETTER PATH TO ST. ARMANDS

Construction of a trail to smooth the way for pedestrians and cyclists from the Ringling Bridge to St. Armands Key is expected to begin this month or in September, changing the landscape and water views for motorists as well. The project, known as the Coon Key MURT – for multi-use recreational trail – is an initiative to install 10-foot sidewalks on either side of the road, starting at the twin bridges that connect Bird and Coon Keys. The construction will involve removal of 226 invasive Australian pines which, according to a recent briefing from Sarasota City manager Tom Barwin, "caused safety issues by falling and temporarily blocking the road and access to the barrier islands during Hurricane Irma." There’s more on this story here: A Better Path

LWR TOPS IN HOME STARTS

Two of Southwest Florida’s master-planned communities – already among the fastest sellers in the nation – are now ranked at the top for housing starts. Lakewood Ranch was #1 in the U.S. with 1,561 new annual home starts as of the second quarter, according to a new report from data supplier Metrostudy. The 31,000-acre community, which spans Manatee and Sarasota counties, beat out The Villages in central Florida by 11 home starts for the lead, Metrostudy said. Please click here for more: LWR Tops

SOLAR EXPANSION?

Florida calls itself the Sunshine State. But when it comes to the use of solar power, it trails 19 states, including not-so-sunny Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Maryland. Solar experts and environmentalists blame the state’s utilities. The utilities have hindered potential rivals seeking to offer residential solar power. They have spent tens of millions of dollars on lobbying, ad campaigns and political contributions. In Florida, utilities make money on virtually all aspects of the electricity system – producing the power, transmitting it, selling it and delivering it. And critics say the companies have much at stake in preserving that control. Click here for more: The Long Shadow

YEAR OF THE TURTLE

This year has been a big year for sea turtles overall, notably for green sea turtles, according to figures from Mote Marine Laboratory’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program (STCRP). The nesting season continues into the fall, but in a news release, Mote reported a 38-year record number of nests in the Sarasota area. STCRP monitors sea turtle nesting on the 35-mile stretch of beaches from Longboat Key to Venice. As of August 4, STCRP had documented 5,063 nests across all sea turtle species – 4,888 loggerhead nests, 170 green turtle nests and five other nests. There’s more here: Year Of The Turtle

GULF LIFE RETURNING

Schools of thousands of glittering fish can be seen swimming at reefs offshore from Charlotte to Lee County, in the area where decaying mats of vegetative debris and dying fish could be found during the peak of the Florida red tide bloom last year. Sarasota diver Brian Dombrowski made two dives at Boxcar reef July 19. He posted the video on Facebook to show people the condition of the reef. "The plants are coming back and the fish had moved in," said Dombrowski of the Charlotte reef, believed to be the hardest hit area during 19 red tide months from October 2017 to February 2019. Click on the link for more: Gulf Life Returning

STATE HEMP INDUSTRY BEGINS TO TAKE ROOT

Hemp has been hyped as a lifesaver for Florida farmers touted as a versatile crop that can be used to build houses, feed livestock and create clothing. But it is the plant’s healing qualities that have sparked a second cannabis "green rush" as the state’s hemp program gets off the ground. The nationwide craze for products containing CBD is evident at supermarkets, gas stations and big box stores, where lotions, tinctures and bath "bombs" are among the items flying off the shelves as consumers seek to quell anxiety, aches and pains and a host of other ailments. Please click here for more on this story: Hemp Industry

SKY-LIGHTING

For more than 40 years, the Sunshine Skyway has welcomed commuters and wowed tourists with a sleek span and towering yellow cables that stretched across Tampa Bay like the sails on a ship. Soon the iconic bridge will enter a more colorful era of public art and coastal architecture. Beginning in October, more than 1,800 LED lights will illuminate 1.7 miles of Skyway piers and columns from dusk til dawn. It’s one of the most ambitious lighting programs in the nation, featuring animated routines with names such as "Patriotic", :"Verdant Green" and "Purple Majestic". The $15 million lighting project is funded by the FDOT through toll fees collected at the Sunshine Skyway. If you’d like to learn more, then click here: Skyway Light Spectacle