[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6633758,"mediaKeyId","5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5","parentId",5503567,"title","Residents urge North Port to restore free water-aerobics at Warm Mineral Springs after volunteer seeks pay","audioSeconds",347,"startMs",623000,"endMs",970000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5&start=623&end=970","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5/thumbnail_623000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6633758/North-Port/Sarasota-County/Florida/Residents-urge-North-Port-to-restore-free-water-aerobics-at-Warm-Mineral-Springs-after-volunteer-seeks-pay","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633758-af0e9717220f0353ab927c144f98b435/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218633&Signature=QcDj~Nq~--4OfSrfF~-DvnV1vmyeNp8aNLPrXMgb07lzivt3wW5x3Uvy3Z615421NMSdg2P-cxIDNzSdddLw37b4IM6GfpOv3PxfskVQV6OtucYGUnL-hoOjlHPeZrMaaUmyRhHJfBVXAmegLs4y3CasV13vzPVCmvX5KUF8C10TKkJBsC6mM7xRkxYF4wqNMdnSur0FmRS1mNjFmX-ylkJdQi9zBxEBvncMYvyZ0~D6HDaNUUQwXx~vjSlaz4IaxivP9xYN9WBHN3l9B3iu-czLaRRtiuCJ7vSY7N7qFDwYuk~0QaSGwWRkxZmGzu12W8rlyfwps9ZilhOYTSuRCA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of North Port","date","2025-06-05T00:00:00Z","article","Bridget Craftsman, a longtime volunteer water-aerobics instructor at Warm Mineral Springs, told the City Commission on June 5 she stopped volunteering after asking to be paid and being told class participants would have to pay for instruction.

“For 20 some years, they got it free, and I'd like to see that come back to the spring,” Craftsman said. She described drawing 10 participants at the start of a session and growing to 30–40 during the class and said the volunteer instruction helped advertise the springs and attract visitors. “I buy the batteries. I take my precious old age time out. I'm worth it,” she said, explaining why she sought compensation.

Residents who spoke in support urged the commission to reinstate free volunteer classes. Ken Wells said the classes were popular and helped people of varying abilities exercise in the water; he argued letting Craftsman teach without requiring payment would benefit the springs and its visitors.

The remarks were made during the public-comment period. No commissioner motion, vote or staff directive on the classes or compensation appeared in the meeting transcript. The comments constitute community input the commission may consider in future programming or fee decisions for Warm Mineral Springs.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Commission Regular Meeting on 2025-06-05 4:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Longtime volunteer instructor Bridget Craftsman told commissioners she stopped teaching water-aerobics at Warm Mineral Springs after city staff said participants must pay for classes; speakers said free classes boosted attendance and community value.","taxTitle","North Port, Sarasota County, Florida","taxId",4668,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633762,"City announces North Port Podcast Network with four shows, schedules",97,91000,188000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5&start=91&end=188","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5/thumbnail_91000.jpg","/articles/6633762/North-Port/Sarasota-County/Florida/City-announces-North-Port-Podcast-Network-with-four-shows-schedules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633762-4866c5210333b1b9f24af8f56f3cb151/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218633&Signature=l~BsVZ7VePLeGeuUlu~xTOIdafIKYTDCCClpU-t2pR5REgL532wRfjn55kwrJXUs2Wp679DmegyKsc~nTqwFIBFQJayNYuyZDKW~fvjTp7Dsidqlpkez7jmt-lNPNAVovBx-902OXId1M1klUPglJH1esNJ6h9c19obmnJOYkHcS5n3urrP~V5kA06OYbYhHYb0I~U7kPHGwydICJA3oMd~IUM3fUqG6Z1bAku3ktHAeVQuvrXB6SI9vgCUbY2YIWFNd7aCSDwLRlMgRAsFjX6PkZEHW2Fib-kGS~UrWXOJ1JTbDTFP2PjEzrqpuZqFrnDpS04vehoKJ0zkIFm4uPg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City communications staff announced the launch of the North Port Podcast Network during the June 5 City Commission meeting, describing a lineup of four shows intended to inform and engage residents.

The network will include Northport Now, a fast-paced news show to be hosted in rotation by Madison Ingalls and another communications staffer; Northport Stories, which will feature community profiles; Voices of Northport, an oral-history series; and Northport Living, a lifestyle and events program. “With breaking news, heartfelt stories, or practical tips, the Northport Podcast Network is your go to source for all things Northport,” said a city communications presenter during the announcement.

Staff said Northport Now will be released biweekly while Northport Stories and Northport Living will be monthly. A schedule will be posted on the city's social channels and website. The announcement was presented as an informational communications update; there was no vote or formal budget discussed at the meeting.","City communications staff introduced a reorganized North Port Podcast Network, naming four shows (Northport Now, Northport Stories, Voices of Northport, Northport Living) and publishing a release schedule: Northport Now biweekly; others monthly.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633767,"North Port solid-waste staff highlight recycling contamination; city proclaims Waste and Recycling Workers Week",65,15000,80000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5&start=15&end=80","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5/thumbnail_15000.jpg","/articles/6633767/North-Port/Sarasota-County/Florida/North-Port-solid-waste-staff-highlight-recycling-contamination-city-proclaims-Waste-and-Recycling-Workers-Week","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633767-a990e75af32559a4273b324fb4688e45/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218633&Signature=KjFoF-qO7XAvAt5bYUioMkyFd-Leat3zUuUF~criR3t0zZY2bBUcpAu9I9fFXSZ9nYCXxAp2zkzhCZHuiRyuLu0mgS0vzHJEhzz6wzy-U4Farq5lriZteqhusUCbj9DyNcQUu8~aulYbcaSlR131yxW3t-m9wPMhEPYnuuH2~7o-aKAp44sUGfQZzqSVniFMi~k2Fo2yQKjDZ3hjgpX169a8CajZVhbTQ2ELNd83w2mLnJ4F5vQ1C0Zw1prBpbawa4q7nSZFqBALnAWZ1YErJCWLvQ2niU93N1i-OMOTJ8AblCffqQ8F0-gaFMb1U~M~vwiuSCFl8EVRyJPNW7l4SA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mario Venditti, a planner-scheduler in the City of North Port Solid Waste division, told the City Commission on June 5 that plastic bags are the most common contaminant found in curbside blue recycling containers.

“The most common thing I find, Frank, is plastic bags,” Venditti said. “So plastic bags are not recyclable. I find them just tossed in the container or they bag the recycle with them.” Venditti said plastic bags should be returned to grocery-store bag-recycling programs or placed in the trash.

Frank Lamas, a manager in the division, asked Venditti to describe the role. Venditti said part of his work is to greet new residents and educate them on recycling rules. The commission and staff directed residents with questions to the city’s Solid Waste web page listed during the meeting as www.northportflorida.gov/solidwaste.

At the same agenda, the commission read a proclamation recognizing National Waste and Recycling Workers Week June 16–24, 2025, honoring refuse-collection staff and highlighting the public-health role of sanitation work. The proclamation cited the role of refuse collection in reducing disease and called on residents to thank collection employees during the week. The proclamation text was read during the meeting; no formal ordinance or budget action accompanied it.

No formal votes were required to present the proclamation; the item was presented as recognition of the division’s work.","Solid Waste planner-scheduler Mario Venditti described plastic bags and bagged recyclables as the most common contamination found in blue containers; the commission proclaimed National Waste and Recycling Workers Week for June 16–24.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6633771,"North Port emergency manager urges written evacuation plans, outlines post-storm response",164,334000,498000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5&start=334&end=498","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5503567-5a6c9d0f5494657e66558cf4f9cc81d5/thumbnail_334000.jpg","/articles/6633771/North-Port/Sarasota-County/Florida/North-Port-emergency-manager-urges-written-evacuation-plans-outlines-post-storm-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6633771-16e866da38622b3cc346dd74fc871d79/orig.mp4?Expires=1771218633&Signature=GOxgR~Lor4zju4xg0V2WmRxImhNcBhiV~4OR1mw5BXsS~zjKwiZARUzC3xZOn4cjXJudqzdXvaU34Lgb1L~HVABLt1nZSBWYJc-WV-sWzmJ-0GlxUPJgHlxwkCTTULupqjaQ2lX-78epDGIleFlt-2CWkVXg9OLIuCMbKAJGiwcjUY0n0slhS2aJq5ftLyFzdINsn-kOEEisJhYQC106kT1ZJQ~56A8jDzYDbIlnIlkXkHi9xvC4hluYfJ5U2uSu1ujIMy9pihXSFmGYjWVAvQtSXnmPC~AxKdWNLjIQT7MPB1129xPCDYiWpoNFZoSYwuXzGI0~PNq-OaYPZp980Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stacy Alozio, Emergency Management Coordinator for the City of North Port, told the City Commission on June 5 that residents should prepare written evacuation plans with multiple routes and clear contact points to help families reunite after storms.

“It's important to have an evacuation plan ahead of time, and it's very important to write it down,” Alozio said. She told residents to consider four evacuation options: stay home if not in an evacuation zone and if the dwelling is sound; go to family or friends outside the evacuation area; go to a hotel; or go to one of the county evacuation centers.

Alozio said Sarasota County operates 12 evacuation centers and urged residents to pick alternate routes because main roads such as I-75 can become gridlocked during evacuations. “You should have multiple routes to get to the location you're planning to go to just because traffic wise, traffic on 75 might be gridlocked,” she said.

A separate emergency-management update to the commission addressed post-storm first-responder operations. The emergency manager explained that during and immediately after storms, agencies may pull first responders off roads for safety and that crews will triage calls and prioritize urgent incidents. “We will have a backlog of calls that have come in during the storm that we will prioritize based on urgency,” the manager said, noting crews will clear hazards to restore access.

The presentation combined preparedness guidance with operational constraints residents should expect after a storm: delayed nonurgent responses, prioritized routing of emergency resources and potential roadway flooding or debris. No formal action or new policy was taken at the meeting; the remarks were informational and intended for public awareness.","City Emergency Management Coordinator Stacy Alozio told the City Commission residents should have written evacuation plans with multiple routes and explained how first-responder priorities and road conditions can delay post-storm aid.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge North Port to restore free water-aerobics at Warm Mineral Springs after volunteer seeks pay

City announces North Port Podcast Network with four shows, schedules

North Port solid-waste staff highlight recycling contamination; city proclaims Waste and Recycling Workers Week

North Port emergency manager urges written evacuation plans, outlines post-storm response