The Sarasota Bradenton International Airport continues to see record-breaking traffic increases. In January, the Sarasota airport saw a 5% jump in passenger flights from the prior year. That contributed to a nearly 11% increase in total traffic over a 12-month period.

“SRQ is pleased to begin 2024 with yet another month of record-breaking achievements, as we experienced a 5% increase in total passengers over January 2023,” said Rick Piccolo, president and CEO of SRQ Airport. “Looking ahead, we anticipate a consistent growth trajectory, especially with the upcoming surge in spring break travel.”

The airport saw 395,993 total passenger flights over the course of January. By comparison, a total of 377,617 boarded or landed in Sarasota in January last year. In total, more than 4.34 million.

The growth from this January to a year prior shows a continued growth trend at the airport, though at a slower rate than the year before that. In January 2022, the airport saw 301,189 passenger flights. That’s means the air travel last month marked than a 30% increase in monthly traffic from the same month two years ago.

And the airport continues to add routes. Already this month, Allegiant announced nonstop service starting June 12 to Plattsburgh International Airport in New York, adding a 28th nonstop destination for SRQ. Piccolo noted that also provides a valuable connecting destination for many Canadian travelers.

The airline said the Sarasota market fit into its out strategy of growing presence outside large airports.

"Allegiant's unique business model, connecting small-to-medium sized cities to vacation destinations, creates accessible travel options not otherwise available in what we believe are underserved markets,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant chief revenue officer. “We know travelers enjoy the convenience of nonstop flights departing from their neighborhood airport."

SRQ airport has seen a massive increase in traffic since 2020, prompting a major expansion, including a $100-million terminal expansion adding five gates. 

Photo courtesy Allegiant.

 The 58th St. Connector, a road extension that has been part of the New College Campus Master Plan for nearly a decade, opened earlier this week. The connector extends 58th street to intersect with College Drive, creating an additional entrance and egress point for vehicles to reach College Hall and Cook Hall. “The completion of the 58th St. Connector is yet another tangible improvement to our campus over the last year,“ said Richard Corcoran, President of New College. “The upgrades that have been completed, are currently underway, and are in the pipeline for the years ahead will provide our students, faculty and staff with a campus befitting of America’s best liberal arts college.” Extending 58th St. between Bay Shore Road and College Drive improves both convenience and safety. The improved traffic circulation will reduce the traffic at the Dort Promenade pedestrian crossing and allows for faster response times for emergency vehicles to reach some parts of the campus. The project was approved by the New College Board of Trustees just over six months ago at its August 10 meeting. Funding for the project came from New College’s 2023 appropriations from the Florida Legislature. 

Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Ron Turner is reminding county residents that the deadline to register to vote in the Presidential Preference Primary (PPP) is Tuesday, February 20—just one week away. Only registered Republican voters may vote in the March 19 PPP.  Turner noted that the February 20 voter registration deadline is also the last day to change political party affiliation for the PPP. “It’s important to remember that since the state Democratic Party already selected its candidate for the party’s nomination for president, only the Republican Party will hold a statewide presidential primary,” Turner said. “To vote in it, you must be a registered Republican by the voter registration deadline on February 20.”  An individual may register to vote, or a registered voter may change his/her party affiliation: Online at RegisterToVoteFlorida.gov; In person at any of three elections offices in Sarasota, Venice or North Port; By mail (application and mailing address available by visiting SarasotaVotes.gov). Existing Sarasota County voters can go to SarasotaVotes.gov and click on the My Voter Status tool to review their voter information. For more information or assistance, call the elections office at 941.861.8619 or visit SarasotaVotes.gov. 

The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has approved the installation of School Zone Speed Cameras throughout the county. The vote was unanimous to move forward with installation and monitoring of the speed zones. A 6-1 majority approved an agreement with the vendor, RedSpeed, to furnish, install and maintain the speed detection system, comply with FDOT placement and installation specifications and assist Manatee County Public Safety in the public announcement and awareness campaign. The lone dissenting vote came from At-Large Commissioner George Kruse. The move comes after the Florida Legislature passed Florida House Bill 657 last April which authorizes counties to enforce speed limits in school zones using speed detection systems. Drivers traveling more than 10 miles per hour over the posted school zone speed limit during designated hours would receive a $100 ticket in the mail. The speed camera zones would be active only at times when kids are heading to and from school. For up-to-date information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov. 

Manatee Memorial Hospital (MMH) has reached another milestone in structural heart procedures. According to Boston Scientific Corporation, Manatee Memorial ranks 8th in the country for total Watchman implants since 2015, out of more than 650 major medical centers in the United States. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia, currently affecting up to seven million Americans.1  People with AF may be at greater risk for stroke than those with normal heart rhythms. The WATCHMAN FLX implant closes off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA) to keep harmful blood clots that can form in the LAA from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke. By closing off the LAA, the risk of stroke may be reduced and, over time, patients may be able to stop taking blood thinners. Watchman implanters are highly experienced and complete a detailed training program specific to the Watchman Implant. Leading the program is Medical Director Dr. Daniel Friedman, who has implanted more than half of all the implants at MMH since its inception. Dr. Jared Collins and Dr. Joseph Pace are also leading implanters who are approaching three hundred implants each. “I am thrilled to announce the success of our structural heart program at Manatee Memorial. This program has been providing innovative treatments, such as the Watchman device, to our patients for years. We are proud to serve Manatee County and its neighbors with high-quality care. Our team of experts is committed to improving and saving lives every day with mutual focus on excellence, innovation and compassion.” Tom McDougal, CEO of Manatee Memorial Hospital. On Tuesday February 20th and Saturday February 24th, the public is welcome to learn more about the Watchman implant when Dr. Friedman presents, “Atrial Fibrillation: No longer a lifetime of blood thinners.” Both presentations will be held at MMH’s main auditorium. RSVP to 941-708-8064. 

The Manatee Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) has approved funding for the initial plans and design work to establish a Memorial Park to salute Veterans on a 24-acre piece of County-owned property at 5431 Buckeye Road in Palmetto. Plans call for permanent memorials paying respect to participants in every American-involved armed conflict, from the American Revolution through the Iraq War. Each branch of the armed services will be honored, as well as hometown heroes, women Veterans and the Manatee County Veteran of the Year. The proposed park would be built adjacent to a future school site along the south side of Buckeye Road. The south side of the park would be bordered by the Artisan Lakes subdivision. “This is going to be a park like no other,” said Manatee County At-Large Commissioner Jason Bearden, who made the initial motion to pursue further planning and design for the park. “Those that took the ultimate sacrifice deserve our best, and that’s what we’re doing here.” Initial designs have drawn inspiration from the Veteran Memorial Park and Museum off US 301 and the Tampa Bypass Canal in Hillsborough County, which includes 14 war memorials to past military engagements, such as the Vietnam War and World Wars I and II. The park also features walking trails, picnic pavilions and a Veterans’ resource center. The vote to move forward on the design and initial construction of the park was unanimous. Staff also has been instructed to seek out alternative funding sources, such as grants and other fundraising to help pay for the initiative. For up-to-date information about Manatee County Government, visit mymanatee.org or call (941) 748-4501. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ManateeGov. 

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is proud to announce the promotion of five sheriff’s office members in a ceremony held on February 13, 2024.Emergency Operations Supervisor Victoria Rake was hired by the sheriff’s office in March of 2019 as a communications operator. Sergeant Sarah Sanchez was hired by the agency’s Victims Assistance Unit in 2015 after volunteering for them a year earlier. Corrections Lieutenant Jessica Evanish was hired by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in 2014 as a mail clerk in the courts and corrections division. Lieutenant Chris Schale was hired by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in November 2011. Captain Jeff Lane was hired by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office in June 1990. 

The lawsuit filed by NCF Freedom, Inc., claiming that academic freedom had been violated at New College of Florida by SB266, has been voluntarily dismissed by the plaintiffs. The lawsuit was dismissed six months after it was initially filed. A motion by NCF Freedom seeking a temporary injunction in the case was denied in early November. "We are crossing the Rubicon," said New College President Richard Corcoran. "New College of Florida is making significant progress toward becoming the top liberal arts college in the nation. It is time to put this lawsuit behind us and come together to realize the immense potential of New College as a thriving educational institution." During the course of the lawsuit, several notable achievements have highlighted New College's readiness for growth and the preservation of academic freedom. The Fall 2023 semester saw a record number of first-time-in-college students and transfers enroll. New College has also made significant faculty hires, adding highly-accomplished experts in numerous fields from across the country. The campus has already begun significant improvements, and New College is actively updating its Campus Master Plan to accommodate further enrollment growth, enhance academic offerings, and improve the overall student experience. Additionally, New College has successfully carried out key initiatives such as the Reimagining Pei Competition and the Caples Mansion Historic Tours, which celebrate its rich historical roots.