News Briefs

+ County health record ranks fourth in state
An annual health survey ranks Sarasota County fourth in health outcomes and health behaviors.

“We were pleased that Sarasota County’s health ranking was stable compared to last year,” says Sarasota County Health Department Acting Administrator Barbara Laidlaw. “This overall fourth-place ranking among Florida’s 67 counties affirms that Sarasota County is a great place to live.”

The survey measures many different factors, including health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and mortality rate.

In addition, this year, the survey included access to recreational facilities as part of its ranking criteria.
Sarasota County ranked fourth in the state in that category.

+ Lido Beach prepares for turtle-nesting season
As turtle-nesting season approaches, the renourished sand on Lido Beach will have to be tilled before the sea turtles begin laying their eggs.

The tilling project will occur sometime between April 5 and April 23. It will only take the contractor two days to till the entire beach, and the city hopes the work will occur early in the month.

When the tilling begins, residents will have to remove their beach furniture until their section of the beach is complete.

Anyone with questions about the project is encouraged to call the contractor, Advantage Construction Group, at 323-8129.

+ Home demolition for small neighborhood park complete
The demolition of a home at 2525 Ringling Blvd. is now complete.

The county purchased the property for $206,450 to turn it into a small neighborhood park.

Ruth Ott had owned the home since 1966, but now that she’s widowed, the 3,000-square-foot, four-bedroom home was too large for her to care for by herself.

The 0.39-acre site sits at the intersection of Ringling Boulevard, Main Street and South Jefferson Street.
It had consistently been at the top of City Hall’s list of properties identified for park-land acquisition.

The county wanted the home demolished for safety and security reasons, while it waits to add amenities to the park.

There is no timetable on when those additions will appear, but it first will conduct neighborhood workshops to see what residents would like to see.

On a property of that size, the amenities will most likely include a small playground, some benches and two-pole shelters.

Meetings & Agendas
+  Alta Vista Neighborhood Association — 7 p.m. Thursday, March 31, Harmony Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, 2600 Courtland St., Sarasota
+  Coalition of City Neighborhood Associations — 9 a.m. Saturday, April 2, Waldemere Fire Station, 2070 Waldemere St., Sarasota
+  Sustainable Sarasota Community Partnership — 2 p.m. Monday, April 4, County Administration Center,
+  City Commission — 2:30 p.m. Monday, April 4, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota
+  Downtown Improvement District — 9 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota