A Manatee County Burn Ban Was Issued This Morning

Summer feels like it is in full swing all across the Tampa Bay area with temperatures hitting the high 90s. With the lack of rain over the last few weeks and dry conditions, a Manatee Counted burn ban was issued this morning after the brush fires broke out across North Port last week.

The Manatee County burn ban was voted on by the Manatee County Board of County Commissioners this morning. The ban includes all outdoor burning and the use of fireworks and sparklers is prohibited in the county while the burn ban is in place.

Manatee County Director of Public Safety Jodie Fiske said, “We’ve been in discussion with the Fire Chief’s Association, as well as the Department of Forestry, in regard to the current drought conditions throughout the county. It is recommended that we declare a burn ban within Manatee County.”

The Manatee County Burn Ban includes any sort of items that include “explosive compound”. Things like sparklers, flares, and fireworks contain pyrotechnic composition which is not allowed under the ban. They advise against open burning as well as campfires because the dry conditions could cause fires.

The Manatee County burn ban is effective immediately on June 3rd and will run until 11:59 PM on June 10, 2024. With the wet season upon us, the burn ban shouldn’t ruin your 4th of July plans.

The good news is that you can still enjoy your early summer cookouts since outdoor cookers and grills are allowed. So, fire up the grills and find some meats from some of the best butcher shops across Tampa Bay.

Permitted public firework displays are also allowed as long as there is “adequate fire suppression equipment and personnel on-site.” Flares are also allowed as long as they are shot over the Gulf of Mexico.

[Source: mymanatee.org]

It happens every year, usually multiple Florida cities rank in the top 10 for best places to live in the U.S.. U.S. News and World Report just dropped the rankings for 2024-2025 and only 1 Florida city not only made the top 10 but was ranked #1 for the best place to live in the U.S.

U.S. News & World Report’s Best Places to Live rankings have been popular for many years. It's a very trusted source because of all the research they do to come up with these rankings. Their mission is to help their readers make informed decisions on where they want to settle down.

The cities in the rankings are evaluated based on data from U.S. Census Bureau, the FBI, the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. News' own internal resources. The data was then categorized into 4 different factors based on American's preferences. Those factors are: quality of life, desirability, job market, and value. Now, I won't bore you with the mathematics of it all, but if you want to learn more about how U.S. News and World Report calculated these cities scores, click here for the full methodology.

It's not the first time this Florida city has made this list. But it is the first time Naples was named #1 for best places to live in the U.S.. Naples is known to be more of a retirement community, and even with threats from hurricanes, it's still not stopping people from moving here in droves. U.S. News and World Report says "the greater Naples area supplies pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and fine dining and shopping."

Naples wasn't the only Florida city to make the rankings. But it WAS the only Florida city to crack the top 10.

We already told you that Naples was the named the #1 city to live in the U.S., even if most of its residents only live there during the winter months.  

Sarasota has a unique charm compared to its other coastal cities. It has a very vibrant art scene, beautiful beaches, great food and restaurants. Sarasota was also considered a "retirement community" but that is changing as more young professionals make it their own up-and-coming city.

White sand beaches is the main reason why Pensacola is so desirable. U.S. News and World Report says "Year round, the city’s vibrant nightlife is balanced by an abundance of family-friendly activities and a community atmosphere."

Finally Tampa made the list! We're used to seeing Tampa higher up in these rankings, and definitely thought it would be higher based on all the people moving here just in the past year alone. The cost of living in Tampa is slightly higher than the national average, and the housing market has become so competitive in recent years. But out of all the cities in Florida, we're happy to call Tampa home.  

Situated between Tampa and Miami on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Fort Myers is a growing city. If you're an outdoor enthusiast who loves humidity, Fort Myers is the place for you. The have miles of freshwater and saltwater channels for boating and fishing; trails for biking, hiking and paddling; and golf courses, tennis courts, swimming pools and shuffleboard courts. 

Florida's space coast is great for retirees, families, and young professionals. So we're pretty surprised to see it ranked at #49. The median monthly rent here is about $1,400 and you can even find homes for under $300,000.

Did you know Jacksonville is the largest metro area by land mass in the continental U.S? Jacksonville has also been listed in affordable Florida cities and one of the best places to start a career.

Orlando is so massive that it's broken up into 3 different areas: Downtown Orlando, Residential "City Beautiful" Orlando, and of course, theme park capital Orlando. The cost of housing in Orlando is close to the national median sale price, although like with many markets, home prices have soared here in recent years.