Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/86226
Sarasota News Leader September 28, 2012 Local officials say people can still enjoy the beaches but should be aware that red tide is present in coastal waters. "We are reminding people that respiratory ir- ritation is possible, similar to a cold or hay fe- ver," said Sarasota County Health Department Environmental Health Administrator Tom Hig- ginbotham in the news release. "People with asthma or chronic respiratory impairments need to be especially mindful of beach con- ditions where red tide impacts are being re- ported. For those who are susceptible, symp- toms associated with red tide tend to become more noticeable when the winds are blowing onshore, which is forecast for the next few days." "It's important to note that winds can change quickly," said Kate Nierenberg, Mote senior biologist, who coordinates the beach condi- tions report. "The Mote Marine Laboratory's Beach Conditions Report, which is updated at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., allows the public to be equipped with current information when plan- ning their visits to the beach." Page 54 Sarasota County maintenance crews were scheduled to remove dead fish from Blind Pass Beach, 6725 Manasota Key Road, on Oct. 4 and from Manasota Key and Manasota Beach, 8570 Manasota Key Road, Manasota Key, on Friday, Oct. 5. Sarasota County lifeguards and other staff will continue to monitor beach conditions and re- spond appropriately, the news release says. Reports are displayed online at www.mote. org/beaches, where residents and visitors can register to receive reports about specific beaches by email. For telephone updates, call 941-BEACHES and press 1 for Sarasota Coun- ty beaches. To report fish kills, people can call FWRI's Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511 (toll-free). Residents and visitors can stay apprised about the red tide organism in area recreational wa- ters by using the resources listed below: http://myfwc.com/research/redtide/events/sta- tus/. EXTENDED HOURS OFFERED FOR VOTER REGISTRATION Sarasota County Supervisor of Elec- tions (SOE) offices will remain open until 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 9, which is the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 6 general election, the office has an- nounced. Supervisor of Elections Kathy Dent says staff will be accepting new voter registrations, as well as address and name changes and sig- nature updates, at SOE offices in the Terrace Building, 101 South Washington Blvd., Sara- sota; the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 Tamiami Trail South, Room 114, Venice; and Biscayne Plaza, 13640 Tamiami Trail, North Port, during the extended hours. The Supervisor of Elections Office also pro- vided the following information to assist vot- ers: • New registrations and signature updates must be submitted on a Florida Voter Regis- tration Application (FVRA).