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Tag: Manatee County

Castles in the Sand

Will you be a new Florida resident in the new year?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

The secret is out: Florida is one of the best states in the country to live in. We’ve got the weather, we’ve got the waterfront on three sides of the state, we don’t have a state income tax or a state inheritance tax and we do have great infrastructure and tons of new residential construction.

So, what’s not to like? Not much. But if you want to move your permanent residence to Florida or if you’re already here and want to become a permanent resident, there is a process.

While not required, it is recommended to file a Florida Declaration of Domicile. This document states that you are a Florida resident and you maintain a residence in the state and intend to make that your permanent home. This is especially important if you spend time in another state during the year as proof of your permanent residency in Florida. The form needs to be notarized and verified that it is recorded.

Next is to obtain a Florida driver’s license within 30 days. You may not maintain two different state licenses. To obtain a Florida driver’s license, U.S citizens must have a U.S. birth certificate, valid passport or passport card, social security card, and two documents showing proof of residential address. There are different criteria for immigrants and Canadians. Your out-of-state license will be taken from you at the time of application. Non-driver I.D. cards are also available.

Likewise, Florida insurance for your vehicle must be obtained from a Florida licensed agent and you must register your vehicle in Florida within 10 days of application. If you plan on voting, register in Florida and do not vote in your previous state. Opening a local bank account will also verify your intent to be a permanent Florida resident. If you own a home, apply for the Florida homestead exemption to save on property tax. Disabled veterans may be entitled to a further tax exemption.

People moving to Florida need to be sure they are cutting ties to their former state. It is not uncommon for states to check the number of days spent in your former state through toll records, credit card charges and local services used.

Now that you know how to start the new resident process, here’s why you should make the move. These are the November Manatee County sales statistics reported by the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee and they represent the highest recorded median prices:

Single-family homes had a median sale price of $450,411, up 28.5% from last November, and the average single-family sale price was $593,109, up 28.1%. The median percent of original list price to sale price was 100%, up 1.6%, and the median time to contract was six days down 68.4%.

The condo median sale price was $300,000, up 26.4% from last year, and the average sale price was $342,508, up 29.2%. The median percent of original list price to sale price was 100%, up 3.4%, and the median time to contract was nine days, down 73.5%.

Closed sales are down for both single-family homes and condos because of the lack of inventory, with homes selling in a matter of hours. Too many buyers, too few properties.

There isn’t much else left to say. According to the president of the Realtor Association, Florida, and Sarasota and Manatee counties, in particular, continue to be the go-to destination for buyers around the country.

Welcome to Florida to those who are already here or are getting ready to make the move. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and best wishes for a healthy and prosperous 2022.

Manatee County free of red tide

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – For the first time since April, Manatee County – and Sarasota and Pinellas counties to the south and north – are free of red tide, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

Water samples collected in Manatee County from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 showed no red tide, which may have been pushed out to sea by recent storms or stifled by recent cold weather.

Despite the absence of red tide in local water samples, fish kills and respiratory irritation related to red tide were reported in Manatee and Sarasota counties, possibly due to airborne algae from other locations.

The toxic algae bloom has plagued Florida’s central west coast since April, when 215 million gallons of contaminated water was discharged into Tampa Bay from Piney Point, a former phosphate plant.

The water contained the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as fertilizer for red tide. The discharge was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to prevent contaminated water in a holding pond on top of a compromised gypsum stack from flooding the area. Piney Point is the subject of three pending lawsuits and is in receivership. Remaining contaminated water on the site is intended to be stored in a deep injection well; a permit is pending with FDEP.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Updated forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

School mask mandate expires

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Schools.

HOLMES BEACH – After a sharp decline in positive COVID-19 cases in Manatee County schools, the county’s school mask mandate has been allowed to expire.

As of Oct. 29, when the mandate expired, only two cases of coronavirus were reported among students in the county schools, with no cases among staff. Anna Maria Elementary School reports no current cases among students or staff, with 13 student cases and no staff cases reported since school began on Aug. 10.

As the 2021-22 school year got underway, so did the Delta variant of COVID-19, and the school district saw more positive cases than before the vaccines were available. In response, the Manatee County School Board took action and enacted the now-expired temporary mask mandate. The mandate was passed on Aug. 16, just one week after students returned to school on Aug. 10.

On Aug. 24, the board voted 3-2 to extend the mandate, which included an opt-out clause for any student who did not wish to wear a mask. The mandate differed from those in nearby Sarasota and Hillsborough counties that did not have opt-out clauses, putting them in violation of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ban on such mandates. 

The school board approved a motion that would allow the superintendent to remove the mandate if the 7-day COVID-19 positivity rate in Manatee County reached 8% or less. Otherwise, the mandate was set to expire on Oct. 29. The most recent positivity rate was 2.57%, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). 

As cases have fallen to almost zero in Manatee County schools, it was expected that the school board would not extend the mandate, and it was not extended at the board’s Oct. 29 workshop. The issue could be brought up at the next board meeting, however.

Since the first day of school, there have been 2,576 student COVID-19 cases and 374 staff cases in the county. One month into the 2021-22 school year, there were more than 300 cases in a single week in Manatee County, and more than 1,000 cases by the end of August. Those numbers haven’t been above 75 cases per week for the past month.

Another factor that may keep things moving in the right direction is the recent approval of vaccines for children between 5 and 12 years of age. The vaccination rate is currently 62.7% of eligible county residents.

The CDC continues to recommend masks in schools and social distancing whenever possible.

Castles in the Sand

Resident spirit or creaking house?

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

Halloween is this weekend, so it’s time to discuss the prospect of your house having a real live spirit who has taken up residence. Well, maybe not real live, but a spirit with an agenda.

Many homeowners believe they are sharing their homes with a spirit. They may see actual images or something that looks sort of like a spirit, or they may hear unusual sounds or talking. I’m not here to tell you that there are no such things as spirits who refuse to leave what once was their home, but chances are what you’re hearing are normal sounds and noises unique to every home.

When you move into a new house, it may take a while to figure out that the dripping noise you’re hearing isn’t your roof about to collapse, but the condensation from your air conditioning system. Likewise, houses – especially new construction – may take a while to settle. If you hear what you swear are footsteps from the upstairs bedrooms it may be just the wooden framing taking a little stretch and not the inhabitants of the Indian burial ground next door.

On the other hand, sounds could be a subtle warning of impending problems. Appliances are notorious for creating noise when something in the motor is thinking about giving up. Loud compressors in your refrigerator and dishwasher pumps that you’re starting to just notice could be a warning, as well as the never-ending running toilet.

There are so many noises coming into your home from outside sometimes it’s hard to tell if it’s in the house or out. Trees and bushes scratching the windows, small animal claws and pecking birds can certainly drive you crazy. If you live on the water, get used to boat engines, snorting dolphins and jumping fish – it’s all part of the charm and not part of a haunting.

There are, however, homes where the owner truly believes and may even have proof of hauntings. The house used in the movie, “The Conjuring,” in Rhode Island is currently on the market. The present owners have turned their home into a little business by allowing paranormal investigators to spend the night on the property. It’s apparently a nice little business and one they hope to pass on to the new buyers.

One thing that’s not haunted are the Manatee County property values, so here are September’s from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee:

Single-family homes closed 4.5% fewer properties than last September. The median sale price was $430,000, up 22.9% from last year, and the average sale price was $580,073, up 21.9% from last year. The median time to contract was 48 days, down 29.4% from last year, and the month’s supply of properties is .08 months.

Condos closed 26.4% fewer properties than last September. The median sale price was $285,000, up 29.5% from last year, and the average sale price was $321,810, up 6.9% from last year. The median time to contract was 6 days, down 85% from last year and the month’s supply of available properties was 0.6 months.

Cash offers are still very dominant in the single-family market, up 53.4%, however, condo cash offers dipped a little – by 6%. September was a slower month, not untypical for this time of year, with sale prices a little flat but with inventory so low we can expect that to turn around quickly as the season begins in full force. The Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee is calling September the “calm before the storm,” so get ready for another record-setting real estate season.

As far as your current home, understand your home’s sounds and investigate anything that sounds out of whack before calling the ghostbusters. Enjoy Halloween and the friendly goblins at your door.

Bradenton Anna Maria Island Longboat Key

TDC hears tourism update

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Business, Tourism.

BRADENTON – Local tourism is on the increase, according to Ann Wittine, of Tampa-based Research Data Services, who gave a report on Oct. 18 to the Manatee County Tourist Development Council (TDC).

The bi-monthly report outlines dozens of statistics that give county tourism officials an overview of visitor sentiment, length of stay, number of visitors, places likely to visit and more vital information. 

Airline passenger data from the Transportation Security Administration from 2019 to present shows that patterns have nearly returned to pre-COVID levels, according to Wittine.

“Even with red tide, and even with (COVID-19) case numbers rising, we’re seeing a normal pattern. As case numbers drop, we see the number of people traveling through U.S. airports also going up,” she said. 

The number of passengers passing through Sarasota Bradenton International Airport is higher than any other airport in Florida month over month, she said. 

August visitation was up 12%, room nights were up 7% and the economic impact was up 17.1% from $43,613,000 to $51,051,700, according to Wittine. Those numbers are increases over 2019, which was prior to COVID-19.

The annual economic impact from 2020 to 2021 is up 38.5% from $867,630,800 to $1,201,878,400. 

Wittine’s report shows that while August visitors from Florida were down 11.1% from last year, visitors from the northeast were up an impressive 113%. With Canada and much of Europe recently easing travel restrictions, it’s likely the flat numbers from those regions will rise significantly, she said.

Traveler sentiment

With each bi-monthly report, Research Data Services conducts a traveler sentiment survey that asks potential travelers from around the world questions about concerns related to travel to Anna Maria Island and other Manatee County destinations. 

When asked what one word would best describe their feelings about travel right now, only 28% of respondents used a positive word. This number is the same as last month, so no change was recorded. 

People surveyed were a little less confident about the economy, personal health and personal finances compared to September, but not by a significant amount. The number of green light travelers was at 48.9%, which is not a significant change from recent months. Green light travelers are those surveyed who are ready and willing to travel at this time. The red light travelers (people who are not willing to travel) are the same as last month at 25.1% and the number that has currently booked vacations stays virtually unchanged at 34.1%. 

The survey also asked a question for the first time: “Are things back to normal?” The survey shows that 39% of people think conditions are back to normal.

Castles in the Sand

Get ready for sticker shock with flood insurance 2.0

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

It’s October, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) new program, called Risk Rating 2.0 Equity in Action, went into effect on Oct. 1. For many homeowners, this may be the annual October surprise, even though it was well-publicized by FEMA.

This overview of flood insurance premium rate increases was delayed from last year after the agency received pressure from Congress to delay the increases because of COVID-19 and other financial considerations. Remember that Florida is in the crosshairs of FEMA, which always runs a deficit, since approximately 35% of their policies are in the state of Florida.

FEMA is responsible for the National Flood Insurance Program, which is sold through individual insurance brokers. Generally, properties with mortgages – especially federally backed mortgages – are required to carry flood insurance based on the home’s flood zone.

FEMA’s new pricing methodology is intended to create a more equitable way to share the risk. Since the 1970s, a home’s flood insurance cost was based on its elevation and zone within a FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. FEMA says a one-size-fits-all rate policy means that policyholders with higher-valued homes are paying less than their share of the risk. Conversely, policyholders with lower-valued homes are paying more than their share of the risk. FEMA says that Risk Rating 2.0 will work similar to existing property insurance policies in which every homeowner receives an individualized price quote. In addition to elevation and flood zone, FEMA says a 2.0 coverage quote will also consider flood frequency, multiple flood types and distance to a water source along with other property characteristics such as the cost to rebuild.

Although when first announced FEMA did not provide specifics relative to rates, they have given an overview of the changes to Florida residents. One out of five Florida homeowners (19.8%) should see a decrease in their yearly insurance cost. One out of 25 (4.2%), however, should see a yearly rate increase greater than $240. Also, FEMA says homebuyers don’t have to suffer sticker shock after closing since the new system will be more transparent. And the National Flood Insurance Program premium can still be transferred, including discounts from a seller to a buyer when the home sells.

Southwest Florida has some of the highest numbers of homes in the 100-year flood zones in the state. Monroe County leads the state with 89.1%, Sarasota has 26.3% and Manatee has 15.7%. Sarasota and Manatee numbers don’t, however, segregate the barrier islands. In addition, Pinellas, Miami-Dade, Charlotte, Lee, Brevard and Sarasota counties also appear in the top 10 nationally for the total value of real estate at risk.

What FEMA is trying to do is put more responsibility on those choosing to live in flood zones and then continuing to do so as the ramifications from global warming intensify. Their goal is to compensate for five decades of mispriced insurance. The way FEMA calculates flood insurance premiums is historic in its concept, going back to 1968.

There are also new FEMA flood maps that took effect in August. This could potentially change flood insurance premiums further in addition to the FEMA 2.0 changes. The bottom line is there are a lot of flood insurance changes going on, and it’s important that homeowners who live in a flood zone be aware of how it will affect your insurance premium at renewal time. At least we’re almost done with hurricane season.

Myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccines

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Health.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Debates about vaccine safety have existed since Edward Jenner used cowpox material to create immunity to smallpox in 1796. Considered the first successful vaccine, it would go on to eventually eradicate smallpox. Jenner’s work would pave the way for Louis Pasteur’s 1885 rabies vaccine, which brought on the dawn of bacteriology.

From the late 19th century to the 1930s, antitoxins and vaccines against diphtheria, tetanus, anthrax, cholera, plague, typhoid, tuberculosis and more were developed. Along with improved sanitation, the elimination of most infectious diseases that were prominent just decades earlier saw the average U.S. life expectancy go from 47.3 years at the turn of the century to 70.4 by 1940. 

The development of vaccines for life-threatening ailments continues today, such as childhood meningitis, certain cancers and a host of biological threats from developing countries. 

Since the onset of COVID-19, the development of a vaccine was top priority for U.S. health officials. Researchers began developing vaccines for COVID-19 in January 2020, based on decades of work on immune responses and vaccine technology. Thousands of volunteers took part in the clinical trials that started that spring to ensure the vaccines are safe and effective. 

Based on the results of those trials, the FDA authorized multiple vaccines for public use. In December 2020, the FDA authorized the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines for the American public. Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine was added in February 2021 and is currently available for use in the United States after a pause in April 2021. In August 2021, the Pfizer vaccine (Comirnaty) became the first vaccine to be fully approved by the FDA based on extensive data on safety and effectiveness. 

“It seems like there wasn’t much debate about vaccines before the COVID vaccine was approved. A few people thought that vaccines caused autism, which we later found out was from a totally incredible source with no basis in fact,” said Bradenton Beach resident Chris Cargill. “I also don’t see why it has taken a political turn. Trump got the ball rolling and told us he would get the vaccine in our arms and he did. Heck, he took it right away. Now we have Biden telling us the same thing. This is one of the only things these two guys ever agreed on; I honestly don’t get it.” 

Here are some common myths that have been driving vaccine hesitancy, according to Sarasota Memorial Infectious Disease Specialist Manuel Gordillo, MD, as well as information from the CDC and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

Myth: I’m young (or I’m healthy), so I don’t need to get vaccinated. 

Fact: While younger adults are less likely than the elderly to die of COVID-19, the disease can still be dangerous for them. Studies indicate that among adults age 18 to 39 who developed COVID-19, nearly 30% now suffer from “long-hauler” symptoms, including fatigue, brain fog and loss of taste or smell. Many of these young adults had only a mild case of COVID-19 when they were first infected. 

Myth: Break-through infections prove the vaccines don’t work against the new Delta variant. 

Fact: While mild breakthrough infections may be more common than once thought, the main goal of the vaccines is to prevent severe disease and death. That is something all of the vaccines do really well. They prevent hospitalization and severe disease in 90% of people who get a break-through infection. If you are vaccinated and get the virus, chances are you’ll get very mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. 

Myth: The vaccine may prevent pregnancy, or harm an unborn baby by altering our DNA. 

Fact: COVID-19 vaccines do not alter recipients’ DNA; as a result, they cannot cause any genetic changes to mom or the unborn baby. There also is no evidence that vaccination causes any problems with pregnancy. The pregnancy prevention myth has been perpetuated by a sophisticated disinformation campaign that falsely claims antibodies to the vaccines’ COVID-19 spike protein will bind to placental proteins and prevent pregnancy. On the surface, it may seem based on science, but it is untrue. 

In addition, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says current reports suggest that pregnant and recently pregnant women have a higher risk for more severe illness from COVID-19 than nonpregnant women. ACOG and the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine both recommend that all pregnant women be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

Myth: I shouldn’t get the vaccine if I’m breastfeeding. 

Fact: ACOG recommends that breastfeeding women get a COVID-19 vaccine, and says there is no need to stop breastfeeding if you want to get vaccinated. When you get vaccinated, the antibodies made by your body can be passed through breastmilk and help protect your child from the virus. 

Myth: I might get COVID-19 from the vaccine. 

Fact: None of the authorized vaccines in the U.S. contain live virus. This means that the vaccine cannot make you sick with COVID-19. Short-term symptoms that may follow a vaccination are normal and show that your body is building protection against the virus. 

Myth: COVID-19 vaccines were developed too fast to be safe. 

Fact: Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are mRNA vaccines, which are not new. Scientists have been working on mRNA vaccines for decades for a variety of illnesses — SARS, MERS, Zika, Ebola, newer influenza vaccines and even some seasonal coronaviruses — and that gave them a huge head start when it was time to work on COVID-19 vaccines. 

The other type of authorized COVID-19 vaccine (Johnson & Johnson) employs a weakened adenovirus, which also has been studied extensively in developing other vaccines. Additional reviews by the CDC and FDA have found the J&J vaccine is safe and effective in preventing COVID-19 among anyone age 18 and older. Women under age 50 concerned about the very rare risk of a clotting disorder should know that the clots have not been associated with the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. 

The clinical trials for the three authorized COVID-19 vaccines were all done with the same rigor applied to all vaccine trials, and the results were reviewed and approved by multiple independent advisory panels. 

Myth: I need to wait for full FDA approval to get vaccinated. 

Fact: Pfizer has now received full FDA approval. The Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available under emergency use authorization by the FDA. Moderna is expected be fully approved in several weeks, and Johnson & Johnson is expected to go through the same steps in the coming months. With the Delta variant and increased transmission, the CDC says it’s more urgent than ever to get vaccinated as soon as possible, and all of the authorized vaccines in use are safe and effective. 

All of the vaccines have met the FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness, and manufacturing quality. The vaccines were evaluated in tens of thousands of participants in clinical trials. Hundreds of millions of people in the U.S. have received the vaccines. 

According to the CDC, the vaccines have undergone and will continue to undergo the most intensive safety monitoring in U.S. history. This monitoring includes using both established and new safety monitoring systems to make sure vaccines are safe. 

The FDA itself has emphasized that it conducted a thorough scientific evaluation of each of the authorized vaccines and can assure the public and medical community that the vaccines meet FDA’s rigorous standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality. 

Myth: Possible long-term side effects are too risky since we don’t know what they are yet. 

Fact: With any vaccine, any side effects will typically show up within six weeks after the injection. Vaccines have been studied over decades, and do not typically have delayed or long-term side effects. Some, like the smallpox vaccine, are very old, and none have resulted in side effects 10 or 20 years later. Conversely, we don’t know what the long-term effects of getting the virus are — and those are more likely to be problematic. 

Myth: I have allergies, so it’s not worth the risk. 

Fact: Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to the vaccines have been very rare, averaging just 2.5 per 1 million vaccinations with the Moderna vaccine and 4.7 per 1 million vaccinations with the Pfizer vaccine. To put that in perspective, anaphylaxis to penicillin occurs in 1 in 25,000 recipients. 

If you have concerns, certainly talk to your doctor and plan to wait 30 minutes after getting your shots for observation. If you are severely allergic to any of the vaccine’s ingredients, you should not be vaccinated. People with allergies to certain foods, insects, latex and other common allergens, however, can get a COVID-19 vaccine. 

Myth: The vaccines contain unsafe toxins and microchips. 

Fact: Microchips are not injected into anyone. Microchips are, however, located on the vaccine packaging so that pharmacists and physicians can track doses and ensure they’re not expired or counterfeit. The vaccines’ ingredient list includes mRNA (which is destroyed by the body in a day or two), cholesterol (in amounts much lower than is already consumed by people) and non-toxic fatty molecules. 

Myth: I already had COVID-19 and have antibodies so I don’t need the vaccine. 

Fact: According to the CDC, you should be vaccinated regardless of whether you already had COVID-19. That’s because experts do not yet know how long you are protected from getting sick again after recovering. Having an infection does not guarantee a strong immune defense. Research indicates that immunity from vaccination is likely to be stronger than immunity following infection.

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Castles in the Sand

Here today, gone tomorrow

Written by Louise Bolger on . Posted in Business, Castles in the Sand.

If you want to buy a property in the Bradenton-Sarasota area you have to act fast, and I mean lightning fast. Whatever comes on the market today will likely be gone within a week, selling at record-breaking prices every month.

None of this is a surprise to buyers who are out there beating the bushes daily or to their agents who are scurrying around looking for properties to satisfy the buyers lined up at their doors. But what’s interesting about some of these buyers is that they are coming from less traditional areas of the country. Local real estate professionals are reporting buyers from California, Washington state and other areas on the west coast of the country. When this was confirmed at the Island Publix check-out when I asked where all these people were coming from, I knew it was true.

Further confirmation of our hot market came from CoreLogic when they published the hottest metro areas in the country that people are relocating to. Bradenton-Sarasota came in at #14, Tampa at #5 and five other Florida regions were all in the top 15. The New York-Newark-Jersey City region was #1 in loss of residents.

Further, the National Association of Realtors reported in their July and August existing home sales reports the four regions of the country that are seeing the most home sales: The South continues to be the highest, maintaining over 40% of the market for both months; the Midwest comes in second at over 20%; the West is third, also over 20% and the Northeast is the lowest, just breaking 10% of the market share.

In Manatee County, the sales statistics from the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee for July are: Single-family homes closed 5.8% fewer properties compared to last year. The median sales price was $430,000, up 19.8%; the average sale price was $566,595, up 19%; the median time to contract was six days, and the month’s supply of properties was .08 months.

Condos also closed fewer units, down 6.5%. The median sale price was $250,050, up 13.7%; the average sale price was $309,887, up 14.5%; the median time to contract was six days and the month’s supply of properties was 0.6 months.

By comparison, the National Association of Realtors reported the median price of existing single-family home sales for July was $359,900.

Now on to August: Single-family homes closed 2.7% fewer homes compared to last year. The median sale price was $430,000, same as July, up 19.4%; the average sale price was $579,647, up 20.5%; the median time to contract was five days and the month’s supply of properties was 0.8 months.

Condos closed 12.2% fewer units; the median price was $275,000, up 23.3%; the average sale price was $302,733, up 15.5%; the median time to contract was seven days and the month’s supply was 0.7 months.

By comparison, the National Association of Realtors reported the median price of existing single-family home sales for August was $356,700, slightly down from July.

In addition, the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee reported that August was the 15th consecutive month that the price of single-family homes increased for this region.

At this point, I don’t think there is any relief for the poor buyers. The fewer properties on the market, the higher the prices will go, resulting in fewer actual sales, as we can see from July and August. Since we’re at the beginning of our busy sale season in Florida, it will be interesting to see where we are with available properties in a few months.

Not sure when it will end, but I’m pretty sure you will find out first at the Publix check-out.

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County commissioner proposes beach parking garage

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Featured, Holmes Beach.

HOLMES BEACH – Manatee County Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge wants a new parking garage to be built on Manatee Beach’s sand parking lot, but the mayor of Holmes Beach so far appears unlikely to sign off on the project.

During a Manatee County Commission meeting last week and in a letter to Holmes Beach city officials, Van Ostenbridge said he would like to look at the possibility of building a parking garage on the county-owned property at the beach at the end of Manatee Avenue to provide more public parking for beachgoers. The garage would potentially be built in the primary parking area in front of the snack bar building at the entrance to the beach on Gulf Drive.

Van Ostenbridge also stated he wants Holmes Beach city leaders to dismantle their permit parking program for residents, opening up more street parking in residential areas for public use. He also has demanded that public beach parking be allowed at the Island Branch Library and Anna Maria Elementary School when those facilities are not otherwise in use. Providing public parking at the school requires permission from the School District of Manatee County and either a special permit or site plan amendment approval from the city of Holmes Beach. Public parking at the county library branch would require an amendment to the lease between the city and county for the land under the building.

If city leaders refuse, Van Ostenbridge said he’d consider refusing to provide beach renourishment funds for the Holmes Beach coastline. However, Manatee County commissioners have limited control over the disbursement of beach renourishment funds, which come primarily from federal and state resources – including the Army Corps of Engineers and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection – and a portion of Manatee County Tourist Development Tax collections.

Though Van Ostenbridge has repeatedly said he would pull beach renourishment funds from the city to try to force Holmes Beach leaders’ hands regarding parking, it could be a double-edged sword for Manatee County, opponents say. Any reduction in beach renourishment could shrink the county’s beaches on Anna Maria Island due to rising sea levels and erosion, potentially reducing tourism to the area and damaging businesses throughout the county. Anna Maria Island generates the majority of tourism funds for Manatee County.

Holmes Beach Mayor Judy Titsworth said a parking garage is not an approved land use in the city and would potentially require the approval of an ordinance to allow the use or a special exception from city commissioners. The parking garage also would have to meet city requirements concerning maximum height (three stories), setbacks, stormwater retention and drainage and other building codes.

Titsworth has said while she’s happy to have conversations with county leaders about parking, she doesn’t feel that Holmes Beach and its residents should bear the majority of the responsibility for providing beach parking for the entire county and its visitors.

While the mayor has mentioned the possibility of the county building a parking garage in past talks concerning beach parking, she suggested building that garage off of 75th Street in Bradenton and using public transportation to get beachgoers to and from Manatee Beach.

Parking program scrutinized

Van Ostenbridge is among those who led the charge against the city of Holmes Beach regarding the public parking available for beachgoers in the Anna Maria Island city. The disagreement between county commissioners and Holmes Beach city leaders has gone on for months, stemming from a decision on the part of city leaders to enact a residential permit-only parking program on some residential streets located next to beach access points following a COVID-19-related shutdown of beach accesses in early 2020.

The permit parking program was planned for several years before becoming a reality and was designed to help lessen the negative impacts of large numbers of beachgoers in residential areas. Some issues that residents reported include people trespassing on their property, damaging property and landscaping, using exterior water hoses and pools without permission and leaving trash and other debris on lawns.

Despite Van Ostenbridge’s claims that city leaders have reduced the number of public parking spots by about 2,000 spaces, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer, who helped implement the parking permit program, said that claim is false.

Tokajer has stated that before the COVID-19 parking closures, which have been lifted, the city had about 2,400 parking spaces, including those at beach access points, public parking areas and along the side of streets within a quarter of a mile of the beach. Now there are 1,261 parking spots that do not require a parking permit and 642 on-street parking spots that require a permit but become available to the public daily after 5 p.m. About 497 on-street parking spots were removed by city leaders in residential areas as a part of the parking changes.

Under an agreement with the county, the city provides many more spaces than the 500 or so that are required to receive beach renourishment funding, according to city officials.

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Parking rift between city, county widens over Memorial Day

Red tide returns in low concentrations

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Algae, Featured, Outdoors.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide has returned to local waters after a two-week respite, according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

The toxic algae began appearing in mid-April near Piney Point after 215 million gallons of contaminated water were discharged into Tampa Bay. The water contained the nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus, which act as a fertilizer for red tide.

The discharge was approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to prevent the collapse of a compromised gypsum stack containing the contaminated water. The former phosphate plant – the subject of two pending lawsuits – is in receivership and is slated for closure and the disposal of the remaining contaminated water.

Red tide dissipated in Manatee County from Aug. 30 until Sept. 14, when low concentrations were detected in water samples taken at the Rod n’ Reel Pier in Anna Maria. Very low concentrations were detected at the Longboat Pass boat ramp, and background concentrations were detected at Key Royale (School Key) and the Palma Sola Bay Bridge, according to the report.

No fish kills or respiratory irritation related to red tide were reported in or offshore of Manatee County over the past week, but were reported in Pinellas County to the north and Sarasota County to the south.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space with closed windows and a clean A/C filter. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Health officials also warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of red tide. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Updated red tide forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

No to deep well injection at Piney Point

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Letter to the Editor, Opinion.

Dear Commissioners:

ManaSota-88 respectfully requests the Manatee Board of County Commission withdraw the application for an Underground Injection Control Well at Piney Point and place this item on the agenda for the next Manatee County Board of County Commission meeting.

ManaSota-88 continues to oppose construction of any deep injection well in the vicinity of the former Piney Point Phosphate Plant.

Groundwater pollution detection is an inexact science, it is easy to miss a toxic plume. Our knowledge of the health risks of long-term exposure of toxic and radioactive substances in phosphate wastewater is very limited.

There are many problems associated with deep well injection. All wells are subject to failure and there are too many unknowns to safely inject treated or partially treated effluent. The operation of a deep well relies very heavily on predictions and good faith.

Deep well injection is done because liquid wastes that cannot be discharged into surface waters are injected into deep wells. Thus, the worst wastes end up in these wells. If a failure occurs, very little can be done to correct it. If an aquifer is contaminated, it’s too late.

Confining layers don’t confine and effluents will ultimately migrate beyond the point of injection.

Monitoring programs are highly ineffective. Little is known of the chemistry and the biology of phosphate related well-injected wastes, excepting that those wastes move underground.
While the models upon which decisions to inject wastes are based look good on paper, changing conditions in the aquifers can allow wastewater to seep into the groundwater supply, and it would be too late then to correct the problem.

Groundwater is one of our most precious natural resources. Contaminated groundwater is extremely difficult, expensive and time-consuming to clean up. It is impossible to pump and treat all the contaminated groundwater in a plume and some of the contaminants will cling to soil particles and remain untreated in any event.

There are no easy answers to getting rid of the radioactive and toxic wastewater at the former Piney Point Phosphate Plant, however, deep well injection is not a solution that should be considered.

Sincerely,

Glenn Compton – Chairman
ManaSota-88, Inc.
P.O. Box 1728
Nokomis, Florida 34274
(941) 966-6256

Reel Time: The lure of reds

Written by Rusty Chinnis on . Posted in Outdoors, Reel Time.

Redfish are a favorite target for local anglers and late summer and early fall is a great time to target this versatile gamefish. Redfish are a sort of everyman’s fish in the sense that they take readily to (well presented) live bait, lures and flies. They are also challenging, and when hooked, put up a determined fight.

The flats are one of the best areas to find redfish. During high tides, reds will congregate near the mangroves that line the shore. As the tide begins to fall, they work the edges of the roots searching for minnows, crabs and other crustaceans. As the tide falls they move out with the tide, following the contours of channels, slues and potholes that funnel water off the flats. The reverse happens as the tide rises.

Redfish can also be found in channels and passes near docks, jetties, groins and other structure. Canals that lace the barrier islands also hold redfish. Concentrate on docks with large boats and the beginning and end of the channels. These areas are usually a bit deeper than the surrounding water and are a magnet for redfish. If there is structure, oyster bars or grass nearby, your odds improve.

Although they have a downturned mouth, redfish will often attack a topwater plug.

Anglers who are patient can find reds as they work on and off the flats. Artificials, including topwater plugs, jigs, gold spoons and jerk baits are effective in shallow water. Shrimp, pilchards, and pinfish are good live baits. They are best when free-lined or under a popping cork.

Redfish are an excellent target for fly anglers. They frequent shallow water, are extremely challenging to stalk, tail when conditions allow and take well-presented flies readily when they’re in the mood. One of the best areas to target reds on the fly is shallow grass beds with exposed white sand holes. These areas provide ease of wading and allow the fly angler to spot reds as they move across the flats in search of food. Top flies include baitfish, shrimp and crab patterns.

Redfish in shallow water are spooky creatures, rivaling bonefish as a cagey target. Accurate casts that lead the fish by about 2-3 feet are a must. The fly must be close enough for the fish to see but not too close or they’ll spook. When they spot the fly, keep it in their field of vision, but moving away. If they approach the fly, never slow it down! Match their speed, increasing the strip if they rush the fly.

Unless you’re fishing for reds around structure, you won’t need heavy tackle. Spinning and baitcasting rigs in the 8-10 pound range are just right. Fly anglers can use a 7-9 weight outfit depending on the wind and the size of the fly they’re using. Redfish provide a great challenge and some exciting action. The late summer run is just beginning, so get out there. There’s never been a better time to stalk, catch and release them. Redfish are currently catch-and-release (carefully) only July 16-Oct. 11, 2021 in Manatee waters north of State Road 64/Manatee Avenue.

COVID-19 booster shot available

Written by SUN contributor on . Posted in Community News, Manatee County.

MANATEE COUNTY – If you have a compromised immune system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that you have a booster, or third dose, of a COVID-19 vaccine.

To help keep immune-compromised people safe with the novel coronavirus still a threat in the community, the Florida Department of Health in Manatee County is offering additional doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to those who qualify for the booster shot.

The Pfizer vaccine was given full approval by the Federal Drug Administration on Aug. 23.

For more information on who qualifies for a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot, please visit the CDC online.

To receive a booster shot from the DOH, you must make an appointment at the Palmetto Bus Station COVID-19 vaccination site by calling 941-242-6646. Appointments are available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Anyone receiving a booster shot will need to bring their vaccination card and remain in their vehicle while receiving the shot. The Palmetto Bus Station is at 1802 Eighth Ave. in Palmetto.

Booster shots also are available without an appointment at area Publix pharmacy and Walgreens pharmacy locations.

All vaccines and booster shots are available free of charge.

COVID-19 testing is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Bradenton Area Convention Center, One Haben Blvd. in Palmetto. The site offers both PCR and rapid testing.

Additional Manatee County vaccination and testing sites can be found online.

Monoclonal antibody therapy treatments also are available for anyone age 12 and older who is at high risk for severe illness due to COVID-19. The treatment is shown to help prevent hospitalization and death in high-risk patients and is available free of charge.

Manatee Memorial Hospital also will serve as a local location where eligible people can receive a free monoclonal antibody therapy treatment. For more information or to make an appointment visit the state health department online.

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Temporary mask ‘mandate’ in effect for students, staff

Written by Jason Schaffer on . Posted in Community News, Health, Schools.

HOLMES BEACH – The Manatee County School Board passed a temporary mask mandate for all students and staff – with an opt-out provision – in an emergency meeting today.

A regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 24 at 5 p.m., and while the agenda has not yet been released, it is likely that an extension of the mandate will be discussed, among other COVID-19-related issues.

According to the School District of Manatee County, there have been 129 confirmed COVID-19 cases among students and 50 staff cases countywide since Aug. 10. No cases at Anna Maria Elementary have been reported so far.

As parents lined up to pick up their children on Tuesday, Aug. 10 after the first day of school, AME looked very much like any other first day before the pandemic changed everything.

Some children were wearing masks, but the majority were not. It was the same for faculty as they assisted children to get on the bus or line up the children for parents to pick up.

Kids
Students board the bus on the first day of school at Anna Maria Elementary. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

According to Principal Mike Masiello, many activities such as school plays will return this year after being canceled last year due to COVID. Students and parents also got to attend a live orientation prior to the start of school, something that was done virtually last year. In-person meetings between parents and staff are slated to return this year, at least for now.

“Because of COVID last year, we could only communicate through text and email, but this year we’ve been able to go to parent night and go see the classroom and meet the teachers. Fingers crossed it will stay that way, but we know that could change at any moment,” said Lori Zaworski, while waiting to pick up her first grade daughter on the first day of school.

Zaworski said the decision to wear a mask was left up to her daughter, who chose to go without the mask, but did ask her mother to put one in her backpack in case she changed her mind once she got to school.

School
Anna Maria Elementary students are dismissed on the first day of the 2021-22 school year. – Jason Schaffer | Sun

“Personally, I feel that every parent should have their choice regarding the masks. Personally, it hasn’t hit close to me or my family; we haven’t lost anybody close to us. Maybe if we had lost a family member I would think differently, but it appears that if you are young and don’t have a compromised immune system, you’ll live through it. If me or my daughter were to get it, we would take the appropriate precautions and quarantine, but I think we’d be OK,” Zaworski added.

According to Principal Masiello, the school hasn’t had many calls or messages from parents on the mask issue as of the first day of school, but there are parents who feel strongly on both sides.

“We’re perfectly happy to do what the teachers are most comfortable with,” said Scott Hagen, who has a daughter in the second grade. “This whole thing has avalanched into political finger-pointing that everything seems to avalanche into nowadays. I would prefer a mask mandate. I would prefer sending my kids to school knowing they’re safe. I would prefer that my second grade daughter didn’t have to look around the school and see some people wearing them and some people not wearing them.”

Hagen’s daughter is wearing a mask at school. He said they talked about it as a family and given the information, she made the choice to wear the mask.

“I understand the talking point of giving parents control, but if parents don’t like sending their kids to school when masks are mandated, then maybe they can find other options,” Hagen said. “This is about a village, a collective, a group, and we’re trying to keep everybody safe. We are a family that believes in science, and the science is pretty clear on this issue.”

The county has updated its COVID-19 protocols to include the following:

  • All students who are sick or have symptoms will be sent home until they are symptom-free.
  • Take temperature checks daily for all employees and randomly for students.
  • Reinforce and practice proper handwashing techniques among students and staff.
  • Provide and encourage the use of hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
  • Deep clean schools and busses daily, or in between uses as needed.
  • Make every effort to social distance as much as possible in schools.
  • Provide plastic shields in elementary classrooms and cafeterias where possible.
  • All employees will answer COVID-related questions daily upon arriving at work.
  • Limit non-essential visitors and volunteers to school campuses.
  • Everyone who is eligible to be vaccinated is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated.

Updated information regarding changes in policy and protocols is available at www.manateeschools.net.

Red tide respiratory irritation risk remains

Written by Cindy Lane on . Posted in Algae, Outdoors, Red tide.

ANNA MARIA ISLAND – Red tide continues to pose a risk of respiratory irritation in Manatee and surrounding counties. The Florida Department of Health issued a warning that people may experience respiratory symptoms such as eye, nose and throat irritation similar to cold symptoms, with some people who have breathing problems, such as asthma, experiencing more severe symptoms.

High levels of red tide were detected in water samples at the Rod & Reel Pier in Anna Maria on Aug. 9 according to Friday’s Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission weekly report.

Medium levels were detected at the Kingfish boat ramp in Holmes Beach and low levels were detected at the Palma Sola Bay Bridge. Current forecasts are available at habforecast.gcoos.org and at visitbeaches.org.

Respiratory irritation was reported in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Charlotte counties last week.

Red tide produces a neurotoxin called brevetoxin that can cause respiratory irritation, coughing, and more serious illness for people with severe or chronic respiratory conditions such as asthma, emphysema or COPD, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Health officials recommend that people experiencing symptoms stay away from the water and go inside to an air-conditioned space. Wearing masks, especially during onshore winds, is also advised.

Red tide-related fish kills were reported over the past week in Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas and Charlotte counties.

Health officials warn against swimming near dead fish, and advise keeping pets away from dead fish and seafoam, which can contain high concentrations of algae. Pets are not allowed on Anna Maria Island’s beaches, but are allowed on the Palma Sola Causeway on Manatee Avenue.

Officials also warn that consuming shellfish exposed to red tide can cause neurotoxic shellfish poisoning.

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 hotline for reporting illnesses, including health effects from exposure to red tide, at 1-888-232-8635.