Sarasota’s hotels will serve this fall as dormitories for New College of Florida. The university announced partnership with three area hotels to accommodate students displaced by problems at the Pei dorms on campus.

“Out of an abundance of caution, and for the health and safety of the NCF community, Interim President (Richard) Corcoran has made the decision to shutter all of the Pei dorms,” reads a statement by the college. “This decision was made after the recent engineering report indicated air quality concerns.”

The college has a partnership with the neighboring Home2Suites on the north side of campus, which will be used entirely for student housing as students begin check-in this week. A large block of rooms in the adjacent Hilton Garden Inn will also house students. Those hotels will be used by lowerclassmen at the school.

Meanwhile, upperclassmen will live in the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Downtown Sarasota.

“By arranging accommodations through these area hotels, NCF is providing students with housing that exceeds the quality at most other schools,” the statement reads. “Whether residing on-campus or at an affiliated off-campus hotel, NCF students will have the same degree of freedom and access to both hotel and campus amenities.”

At Hyatt Regency, officials said officials were deeply focused on a move-in process for students. Shuttles will connect students to the campus.

Orientation for new students at New College kicked off this weekend, with student check-ins scheduled for Wednesday.

The school, meanwhile, will kick off the year amid significant scrutiny. This marks the first term since Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed a number of new trustees fired the former President and brought on Corcoran. The school also eliminated its diversity, equity and inclusion programs and just canceled any classes in areas including Gender Studies. But Corcoran said regardless, the school is attracting a range of students in a record sized freshman class.

“New College of Florida is achieving diversity,” Corcoran tweeted. “This week we will be welcoming to our campus the incoming class, a class which exponentially increases the number of both Black and Hispanic students.” 

HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital and Suncoast Blood Centers are teaming up for a blood drive to help the victims of the Hawaii wildfires. For every donation made, Blood Centers of America, will make a $20 dollar donation to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong Fund. According to the Foundation, 100% of the donations will be distributed for community needs in Maui. Caregivers from HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital will be donating blood and plasma. The blood drive is open to members of the community as well. The event will take place Monday, August 21 from 8:00am- 2:00pm at HCA Florida Sarasota Doctors Hospital, 5731 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota.

WealthGen Advisors, a leading financial advisory firm in Sarasota, is pleased to announce the appointment of Richard Rayles as its new Director of Operations and Chief Compliance Officer. Richard brings over 16 years of extensive experience in the financial and investment industry, making him an invaluable addition to the WealthGen Advisors team. Richard Rayles' appointment marks a significant milestone for WealthGen Advisors as the firm continues to expand its offerings and serve its clients with dedication and innovation. Richard will be responsible for overseeing the firm's day-to-day operations, ensuring seamless execution of client services, and enhancing overall operational efficiency. He will be entrusted with leading WealthGen Advisors' culture of compliance, ensuring adherence to industry regulations and best practices. Before joining WealthGen Advisors, Richard held prominent positions in the financial landscape. He served as a foreign exchange trader in the U.S. and Hong Kong, gaining a global perspective on financial markets and international investment strategies. Richard's experience extends to his time as a fund accountant at BNY Mellon, the world's largest custodian bank, where he honed his fund management and financial reporting skills. Additionally, he demonstrated his expertise in the dynamic fintech sector, leading operations in a successful startup. Richard holds a bachelor's degree in finance from the University of Central Florida. Besides his accomplished career, Richard cherishes family values and shares a beautiful life with his wife and three daughters in Sarasota, Florida. 

Last month 323,396 passengers traveled through the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, compared to 283,125 passengers in July 2022. This represents an increase of 14%. The 12-month activity through July 2023 totals 4,185,188 passengers, a 12% increase compared to 3,752,032 passengers for the 12 months through July 2022. Year-to-date the airport has experienced a 14% increase in passenger traffic over the same period in 2022. “We are excited to see our passenger traffic continue to grow at SRQ and are working hard on multiple construction projects to handle the future growth needs of the airport. Last week we opened a new cell phone lot which provides paved parking and upgraded restroom facilities. A new 5-gate terminal expansion is in on track to be completed by the end of next year and additional paved parking lots will be completed before this upcoming season’s peak travel days. Concourse B is currently being refreshed with additional space for seating, new carpeting, a new companion assist restroom, and a new mother’s nursing room. Additional projects will break ground in the next couple of months including a new ground transportation facility, expansion of the west air carrier apron, and expansion of the employee parking lot,” stated Rick Piccolo, President, CEO of the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. 

To increase its engagement efforts, Manatee County’s Procurement Division will host a Supplier Outreach Symposium for suppliers to meet with representatives of Manatee County departments. This event is designed to involve a diverse group of suppliers and provide guidance on how to do business with Manatee County. This will also be an opportunity for suppliers to share information on their services and goods available to Manatee County. The Supplier Outreach Symposium will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., at the Manatee County Administration Center, 1112 Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. In addition to networking with other business professionals and members of both the Manatee County Procurement Division and multiple Manatee County departments, the event will include a How to Do Business with Manatee County workshop presentation at 9:00 a.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. The workshop is intended to cover the basics of doing business with Manatee County Government, followed by a brief question-and-answer period. Pre-registration is available at this link. Supplier registration will also be available at the event. Doors will open at 8:30 a.m. Learn more about Manatee County’s Procurement Division at mymanatee.org/purchasing. For more information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov. 

The rapid growth of the Tampa Bay area continues with a new addition to the city of St. Petersburg. Award-winning and internationally recognized Sarasota-based design firm, Sweet Sparkman Architecture, and Interiors, officially opens the doors of its new office on the city’s vibrant Central Avenue on Friday, July 21st. Sweet Sparkman has contributed to the development of St. Peterburg for several years, working on projects in the city and its surrounding area. The firm worked on the campus of Eckerd College for a number of years. Recently, creating the design for the St. Petersburg Sanitation Complex, currently in construction. The firm also designed the Largo Fire Station #43 winner of the 2018 Florida West Coast Branch American Public Works Association Project of the Year. Given its ongoing involvement with St. Petersburg, the firm seeks to affirm its commitment to the community with the new office and a local base of operations. In addition to the firm’s multitude of partnerships for current and future projects in the area, St. Petersburg provides an environment rich with youthful energy and an appetite for innovative design that lends itself well to Sweet Sparkman’s team of bold, inventive designers committed to design excellence.  

Lakewood Ranch, the nation’s best-selling master-planned community for all ages, recently announced two new tenants for the Waterside Place town center – a retail, services, dining, and entertainment destination. Both are scheduled to open in the first quarter of next year. Eatalia will be an Italian market that will specialize in imported meats, cheeses, olives and nuts, homemade bread, build-your-own charcuterie boards, fresh pasta and other grocery items, as well as a cold bar with various salad items. Eatalia will be for people who are “passionate about Italian cuisine, or anyone looking for a quick, quality- made bite on the go.” The Wellness Space will offer an array of services, including mentoring and meditation with different modalities to create clarity. There will also be private and group coaching services for individuals, couples, family and children, as well as corporate services. The newest dining spot at Waterside Place is Osteria 500, which opened at the end of July. Osteria 500 is an Italian restaurant featuring antipasto, salads, meat and fish entrees, and pasta dishes made fresh and in house. There are also numerous pizzas and paninis from which to choose. Osteria 500 has an extensive wine list, as well as specialty cocktails. Other recently opened businesses include SHACK yoga + Fitness, Marmalade, featuring home décor, furnishings, and women’s apparel and gifts; Modish Salon, Capstan Financial Consulting Group, and Williams Parker Attorneys at Law. These recently opened businesses at Waterside Place join tenants Korê Steakhouse and cocktail lounge, Good Liquid Brewing company, O&A Coffee Supply, CROP Juice, Bay Area Aesthetics, Body Bar Pilates, 3Form Fitness, Kilwins, Paint Nail Bar, Lakewood Ranch Medical Group, Smith Law, Man Cave for Men, a luxury modern barber shop; Monkee’s, an upscale women’s boutique; Florida Provisions Co., a retail and bar concept; Forked, a breakfast, lunch, brunch and cocktails establishment; the John Cannon Model Experience Center, M/I Homes Design, M/I Homes Financial, and M/I Homes Title Agency. Still to open are Agave Bandido, a Mexican-American restaurant and tequileria; Deep Lagoon, a seafood  & oyster house; Good Liquid Distilling Co., Duck Donuts, Cileone Jewelers, The Black Dog store, which will sell resort wear, and La Chic Boheme, offering spa services and treatments.For more information about Waterside Place, visit www.WatersidePlace.com. For more information on Lakewood Ranch, please contact Lisa Barnott at 941-757-1542. 

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is proud to announce the launch of a new online system for reporting crimes. To serve the Sarasota community better and more efficiently, SCSO is now providing an online citizen reporting system accessible through the agency’s website. This system has been developed and tested to provide convenience and a higher level of service to our citizens while conserving law enforcement time and resources. An online report can be initiated by visiting the sheriff’s office website at www.SarasotaSheriff.org. Click on either the “File A Report” link under the Programs and Services header at the top of the page or the “File A Report” icon under the photo slideshow, then click the appropriate tile from the classifications listed. From there, a fillable form will specify the necessary information to complete the report. While not every incident can be reported via the online form, the sheriff’s office has included several that are typically reported, including scams, property damage, and vandalism, to name a few. “Technology that can help us serve more effectively and use our resources more efficiently will benefit everyone,” said Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman. “We are continually seeking innovative ways to make our community safer.”