A large brush fire in North Port, Sarasota County, forced evacuations and temporarily closed parts of I-75. Covering 75 acres, the fire is now 85% contained. Firefighters and residents worked together to control the blaze, with crews remaining on-site overnight to monitor the situation.
A 70-foot sperm whale has been stranded off the coast of Venice, Florida, prompting law enforcement and Mote Marine Laboratory to work on a rescue operation, with civilians advised to avoid the area while the whale is assessed.
Several closures and event cancellations are being reported across the Suncoast region in Florida due to the projected poor weather conditions this weekend, including the rescheduling of Punta Gorda Fire Department's Family Fun Day, cancellation of the Swim with Santa event in North Port, cancellation of Party on the Plaza in CoolToday Park, closure of the Interactive Children's Fountain in Centennial Park in Venice, and closure of North Port Aquatic Center, Warm Mineral Springs Park, and Atwater Splash Pad.
The Department of Health has issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory for Sarasota County in Florida after a confirmed case of West Nile Virus. While there hasn't been an increase in mosquito-borne disease activity, residents are urged to take precautions such as draining standing water, covering skin with clothing and repellent, and keeping mosquitoes out of homes.
Mandatory and voluntary evacuations have been issued for parts of the Suncoast in Florida as Tropical Storm Idalia approaches, with Sarasota County issuing a mandatory Level A evacuation on August 29 and Manatee County issuing a mandatory Level A evacuation and voluntary Level B evacuation on August 28.
Sarasota and Manatee County officials are closely monitoring a tropical depression expected to form in the eastern Gulf of Mexico late this weekend or early next week. The storm's path is uncertain, but it could potentially impact Florida's Panhandle, Western Florida, or Southwest Florida. While the National Weather Service's confidence in the forecasted impacted areas is low, they have a moderate confidence that the storm will occur. Residents are advised to stay prepared by stocking up on supplies and having an evacuation plan in place. Both counties have emergency management teams coordinating with the National Weather Service and other agencies to ensure preparedness.
Multiple agencies, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office, and Sarasota County EMS, responded to a boating collision in the 400 block of Blackburn Point Road in Sarasota County. The collision involved two personal watercraft (PWCs) and resulted in a 27-year-old female being injured. She was airlifted to Bayfront Health for treatment. The incident is currently under investigation.
Florida's Sarasota County has reported its seventh case of locally contracted malaria, with five cases reported last month and one in May. The county, along with neighboring Manatee County, has been under a mosquito-borne illness alert for nearly a month. Authorities have been using various methods, including insecticide application and mosquito trapping, to control the spread of the disease. This is the 11th outbreak of malaria from mosquitoes in the US since 1992, with the last one occurring in 2003 in Palm Beach County.
Two additional locally acquired cases of malaria have been reported in Sarasota County, bringing the total to six. The Florida Department of Health advises residents to take precautions such as applying bug spray, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding areas with high mosquito populations. Malaria is transmitted through infected Anopheles mosquitoes, and effective treatment is available. The public is urged to drain standing water and cover doors and windows with screens to prevent mosquito entry.
Four cases of malaria have been confirmed in Sarasota County, prompting concerns about mosquito-borne diseases. To avoid mosquito bites, it is recommended to stay indoors during dawn and dusk, eliminate small pools of water where mosquitoes breed, wear long sleeves and pants, and use mosquito repellent. Mosquito control districts are actively monitoring the situation and advising the public to take precautions, as mosquitoes are more prevalent during the rainy season. Symptoms of malaria include fever, fatigue, body aches, and nausea, and it is important to seek medical attention if infected.
Residents in Sarasota County, Florida, are reacting to a malaria outbreak, with some remaining unaware or unfazed by the cases. The outbreak, which has seen four confirmed cases and a possible fifth under investigation, has prompted health officials to advise residents to use bug spray, avoid mosquito-populated areas, and wear protective clothing. However, some residents, like Jean Abrams, who is unhoused and unable to afford protection, are unaware of the outbreak. Others, like Ken Hixon and Alton Ayers, believe the cases are caused by an increase in travel and are not concerned. Local officials have confirmed that the cases were locally transmitted, likely through an asymptomatic carrier who contracted malaria from another country and was bitten by a mosquito in Sarasota.
The Florida Department of Health has issued a statewide advisory against mosquitos after four confirmed cases of malaria in Sarasota County. Residents are urged to take precautions such as applying bug spray, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and avoiding areas with high mosquito populations. Aerial and ground mosquito spraying is being conducted to reduce the risk of further transmission. Effective treatment for malaria is available, and individuals experiencing symptoms such as fever, chills, sweats, nausea/vomiting, and headache should seek medical attention.
The Florida Department of Health has issued a statewide mosquito-borne illness advisory after two additional cases of locally acquired malaria were identified in Sarasota County. Health officials are urging residents across the state to take precautions such as applying bug spray, avoiding areas with large mosquito populations, and wearing protective clothing. The cases are unusual as most malaria cases in the US are in travelers returning from countries with malaria transmission. Sarasota and Manatee counties have been under a mosquito-borne illness alert since last week, and the affected individuals have all recovered. The health department advises seeking immediate medical attention for symptoms such as fever, chills, and nausea.
Health officials in Sarasota and Manatee counties issued a mosquito-borne illness advisory after a confirmed case of malaria was reported. The patient had spent extensive time outdoors and was treated at a hospital. The P. vivax species of malaria is not as fatal as other species. To protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses, use mosquito repellent, wear long sleeves and pants, check and repair screens on doors and windows, and drain and cover areas around your home.
Tikka Indian Cuisine in Venice, Sarasota County, has been named the second-best restaurant in Florida by Yelp's Top 100 Florida Restaurants 2023 list. The list was determined by identifying businesses in the restaurants category, then ranked using numerous factors including the total volume and ratings of reviews between Jan. 1, 2022 and Jan. 1, 2023. The Indian restaurant moved up from #66 on last year's Yelp list, and was the only Sarasota Bradenton establishment in the Top 20 this year.