News Briefs 07.15.10

+ Probability drops for oil in Sarasota
The latest long-term forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration concerning the oil spill is great news for Sarasota County and its tourism industry.

NOAA predicts a less than 1% chance that oil from the Deepwater Horizon leak will reach Sarasota County’s shores within the next four months. Under this forecast, Georgia’s Atlantic coastline has a greater likelihood of seeing oil than Sarasota County.

Scientists believe the Gulf of Mexico’s Loop Current will carry the oil past the Southwest Coast of Florida, but the Florida Keys and Southeast Florida have up to an 80% chance of seeing oil.

Time and distance will have evaporated much of the surface oil, so what those areas would likely see are tar balls on their beaches instead of an oil slick.

The areas at highest risk, from 81% to 100% probability, are the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and Florida’s Panhandle.

The closest oil slick is currently about 150 miles away from Sarasota County.

+ Businesses offered promotion on fence
The city is providing space on the fence surrounding the Five Points construction zone for businesses to promote that they’re still open even though roads are closed.

Thirty-two spots were up for grabs on a first-come, first-serve basis. As of July 13, 17 spots have been reserved.

Interested business owners can call Mary Ellen Maurer at 365-2200, Ext. 6221, for more information.

The Five Points roundabout project began July 5. Main Street and Pineapple Avenue are scheduled to remain closed at that intersection until Sept. 3.

Although the roads will re-open, work on the roundabout will continue through Thanksgiving.

+ Meetings & Agendas
• Bird Key Improvement Association — 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 15, Bird Key Yacht Club, 301 Bird Key Drive, Sarasota
• City Commission — 2:30 p.m. Monday, July 19, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota
• City budget workshop — 8 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, City Hall, 1565 First St., Sarasota