Sarasota native new morning meteorologist at WFLA Ch. 8
Amanda Holly, a Sarasota native, was recently named WFLA News Channel 8’s “Today” meteorologist on weekdays from 4:30-7 a.m. and also will report for WTTA Tampa Bay from 7-9 a.m. and News Channel 8 from 11 a.m.-noon.
Holly, who begins her new duties in November, will replace meteorologist Leigh Spann, who is leaving WFLA after 17 years.
Holly, a Sarasota High School graduate, joined News Channel 8 in June 2019. She earned a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering, meteorology and climatology from the University of Florida in 2017 and a master’s degree in applied meteorology from Mississippi State University in 2019.
“Amanda is an extremely talented meteorologist who has deep connections to our community and is already well known to our audience,” WFLA chief meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said. “We are lucky to have someone of Amanda’s caliber to take the morning meteorologist baton from Leigh.”
Spann started her career at News Channel 8 in September 2007, kicking off the weekday newscasts at 4:30 a.m. She is known for community involvement and solid reporting throughout the many storms in the Tampa Bay region during her tenure.
“I’ve had the privilege of working with Amanda Holly for several years now,” Spann said. “I am constantly impressed with her intelligence and resourcefulness. She is calm under pressure and always looks for ways to create solutions to problems.”
Prescription drug return day at SPD, Englewood Hospital
The Sarasota Police Department is partnering with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The event will allow the community to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs. Residents are encouraged to bring expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs to either SPD Headquarters, 2099 Adams Lane, Sarasota, or the Glasser/Schoenbaum Human Services Center; 1750 17th St., Bldg. J-1, Sarasota.
HCA Florida Englewood Hospital also is taking part in the prescription drug take-back day on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wellen Park Medical Office Collection Station, 12169 Mercado Drive, in North Port, next to Publix in the West Villages Shopping Center.
The DEA National Take-Back Day is free and anonymous, with no questions. During the last National Take-Back Day in April, the DEA collected 335 tons of expired, unwanted, and unused prescription medications nationwide. Learn more at deatakeback.com or by calling 800-882-9539.
Crisis Cleanup Hotline open for post-hurricane assistance
The Crisis Cleanup Hotline (844-965-1386) is open to assist Southwest Florida residents with cleaning up damage in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Call the hotline to request assistance from volunteers in the community for help with tasks such as muck-out, debris removal, tree clearing, or tarp installation. The hotline connects individuals in need with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups, and faith-based communities. All services are free of charge.
Crisis Cleanup is unable to assist with social services such as food, clothing, shelter, insurance, or FEMA registration. Volunteers will provide their own tools and equipment for the cleanup work. For information about Crisis Cleanup and the volunteer network, visit crisiscleanup.org/about or call 844-965-1386.
Around and about
· The Disaster Recovery Center in Manatee County has reopened at a new location – Agricultural Extension Office, 1303 17th St. W., Palmetto – to provide one-on-one help to residents affected by Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton. Survivors do not need to visit a center to apply for assistance; visit DisasterAssistance.gov or download the FEMA App. For other Disaster Recovery Center locations, visit fema.gov/drc.
· Arts Advocates is accepting scholarship applications through Feb. 15 for the 2025-26 academic year for high school and college students who are pursuing undergraduate studies in the arts, including visual and related arts, dance, creative writing, music, film, theater, architecture, and other arts fields. For information about the program, including the application, and requirements, visit ArtsAdvocates.org.
· The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office Charitable Foundation is hosting its annual Sporting Clays fundraiser on Nov. 15 at Sarasota Trap, Skeet & Clays, 7730 Target Trail, Nokomis. The event supports Sheriff’s Office employees. For information, registration, and sponsorships, visit scsocharitablefoundation.org
· SaraLakes Estates is hosting a “Holiday Bazaar” on Nov. 16 starting a 9 a.m. at 3190 Bahia Vista St., Sarasota, featuring 30 plus local artists and crafters and 50-plus children vendors from the Children’s Entrepreneurial Network. suncommunities.com/florida/saralake-estates; 888-460-8394.
· Vendors and organizations are invited to join the Notjusta Craft Fair on Nov. 16 at Gulf Cove United Methodist Church, 1100 S. McCall Road, in the Gulf Cove area of Port Charlotte. For information, call 302-563-4479.
Submissions by Matt Eaton, Paul Spingola, Monica Galeano-Bush, Julie Beatty, Kelly Hunter, Liz Owens, FEMA, Kelly Fores, Anne Rollings, Michele Peetz, and Dana Hanson.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota native named morning meteorologist at WFLA News Channel 8
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