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Sarasota News Leader

SarasotaNewsLeader.com provides award-winning, comprehensive local news coverage for Sarasota County, FL.

The best source in Sarasota County for in-depth news reporting, features, arts & entertainment, community events and common-sense, progressive commentary.

09/23/2025

If you routinely drive in the area of the intersection of Honore Road and Clark Road, you need to know this information from FDOT:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will conduct overnight traffic signal upgrades at the intersection of Honore Avenue and Clark Road from 7:30 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting on Sept. 24. Traffic signals will be turned off while crews conduct electrical work on the new signals.

Law enforcement personnel will be posted within the intersection to assist with traffic flow, and temporary lighting will be in place for additional illumination. The lanes will be reduced to two on eastbound and westbound Clark Road, while northbound and southbound traffic on Honore Avenue will be directed by flaggers to make right turns only onto Clark Road.

Please slow down and watch for workers in the project area.

Travelers may prefer to take an alternate route or allow for additional travel time during this operation.

For real-time traffic updates, visit https://fl511.com/.

08/25/2025

Sarasota County Public Utilities contractors worked through Sunday night to fill in a portion of Bahia Vista Street damaged by a water main break on Sunday, Aug. 24, county staff is reporting. As the repairs continue, staff says, the eastbound lanes of Bahia Vista Street remain closed. Motorists are encouraged to find alternate routes. There are 41 addresses that have been notified they are under a boil water notice due to the water main break.

08/08/2025

Sarasota County staff will offer free, voluntary, self-service sandbag locations this Sunday, Aug. 10, to support residents in protecting their homes and property from potential tropical weather as they make their hurricane season preparations.

The county has added an additional date of sandbag availability on Sunday, Sept. 14, a news release says.

Each self-service station will have empty bags and sand free of charge at three locations.

The sandbag operations will be held at the following locations on Aug. 10 and Sept. 14, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

· Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th St., Sarasota.
· Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road, Sarasota.
· South County Fleet, 4571 SR 776/Englewood Road, Venice.

These opportunities will supplement the county’s existing sandbag operations, which are activated prior to the arrival of a storm, to give residents time to prepare. The next summer sandbag operations opportunity will be Sept. 14.

Residents are encouraged to utilize these free sandbag opportunities to help safeguard their homes from potential flooding and storm impacts.

Residents will be expected to fill and load their own sandbags into their vehicles and should bring their own shovels and gloves. For individuals who do not have shovels at home, a limited number of shovels will be provided for use on-site. Each vehicle that arrives will be provided 10 empty sandbags to fill.

For more information on Sarasota County’s hurricane preparedness programs, visit scgov.net.

07/18/2025

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 19, Sarasota County staff will provide free, voluntary, self-service sandbag locations “to support residents in protecting their homes and property from potential tropical weather as they make their hurricane season preparations,” staff has announced.

“Each self-service station will have empty bags and sand free of charge,” a news release says.

The sandbag operations will be held at the following locations on July 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

Ed Smith Stadium, which stands at 2700 12th St. in Sarasota.
Twin Lakes Park, which is located at 6700 Clark Road in Sarasota.
South County Fleet operations, which stands at 4571 State Road 776/Englewood Road in Venice.

“These opportunities will supplement the county’s existing sandbag operations, which are activated prior to the arrival of a storm, to give residents time to prepare,” the release explains. “The next summer sandbag operations opportunity will be Aug. 10,” the release emphasizes.

“Residents are encouraged to utilize these free sandbag opportunities to help safeguard their homes from potential flooding and storm impacts,” the release continues.

“Residents will be expected to fill and load their own sandbags into their vehicles,” it adds. Therefore, they should bring their own shovels and gloves. For individuals who do not have shovels at home, the release notes, a limited supply of shovels will be available for use on-site. “Each vehicle will be provided 10 empty sandbags to fill.”

For more information on Sarasota County’s hurricane preparedness programs, visit scgov.net.

07/11/2025

Just now, the Florida Department of Health in Sarasota County (DOH-Sarasota) announced that staff had lifted the water quality advisory for North Lido Beach that was issued late in the afternoon of July 10.

Tests completed on July 10 "indicate that the water quality at North Lido Beach shows an acceptable level of Enterococcus bacteria established by state guidelines, the update says. Test results are available at FloridaHealth.gov/HealthyBeaches.

For more information, call 941-861-2900 or visit Sarasota.Floridahealth.gov

07/10/2025

If you routinely drive Bee Ridge Road in the vicinity of the new Legacy Trail overpass, you need to know this information about lane closures tomorrow night, July 11:

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) will implement temporary eastbound and westbound lane closures on Bee Ridge Road from 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, until 6 a.m., Saturday, July 12, at the site of The Legacy Trail overpass, the department has announced.

The lane closures are necessary as crews complete the paving of Bee Ridge Road under the new pedestrian/bicycle overpass, an FDOT news release points out.

“Motorists may prefer to take an alternate route or allow for additional travel time,” the release says. “Please use caution in the area.”

FDOT advises drivers that if they would like real-time traffic updates, they should visit https://fl511.com/.

07/01/2025

Given concerns raised about the potential for heavy rainfall later this week, Sarasota County staff just announced that it will make sandbags available to the public on Wednesday, July 2.

These are the details:

The sandbag operations will run from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Wednesday, July 2, "as we are actively monitoring the weather projected for later this week," the advisory said.

Self-service sandbags will be offered to Sarasota County residents at the following locations:
Twin Lakes Park, 6700 Clark Road.
Ed Smith Stadium (parking lot), 2700 12th St.
South County Fleet Services, 4571 State Road 776/Englewood Road.

There is a limit of 10 bags per vehicle. Bags and sand will be provided. Individuals are asked to bring their shovels. Continue to monitor local weather. Updates and more information will be available at scgov.net and on social media pages.

Attached are two infographics about using sandbags.

07/01/2025

If you plan to go to the Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular at Marina Jack on Friday, July 4, you need to know this information about parking and road closures, courtesy of the Sarasota Police Department:

The Sarasota Bayfront Fireworks Spectacular will take place on Friday, July 4, beginning at 9 p.m., the Sarasota Police Department is reminding the public.

As the festivities “will attract thousands of people to the City of Sarasota,” a news release says, the Sarasota Police Department is committed to keeping residents and visitors safe.

In an effort to promote safe enjoyment of the event, the release continues, department personnel are asking the public to remember “if you SEE something, SAY something. Report any suspicious activity or behavior to law enforcement immediately."

Road closures/limited parking

From 7 to 10:30 p.m., the release notes, Bayfront Drive (U.S. 41) will be closed from Orange Avenue to Gulfstream Avenue for the fireworks show.

The parking lot locat3ed at Bayfront Park/Island Park will be closed when it has reached maximum capacity, the release points out. “No parking is permitted on the grassy area on the south end of Bayfront Park,” the release adds.

“Parking will not be allowed in the median on John Ringling Boulevard,” the release stresses. “Drivers should observe ‘No Parking’ signs,” the release points out.

For further emphasis, the release says, “NO STOPPING, STANDING OR PARKING on the John Ringling Bridge.”

Further, the release continues, vehicle traffic leaving the Bayfront/downtown area following the fireworks “will be subject to certain restricted traffic control measures as part of a comprehensive exit plan.” Drivers and passengers should “expect long traffic delays of up to one hour when exiting the event.”

Use of designated drivers urged

The release also notes that the AAA Tow to Go Program will be offered on July 4 “to make sure those who are celebrating the holiday get home safely. The free, confidential, local ride” is offered within a 10-mile radius of a safe location, the release notes. The service will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, July 4, and continue until 6 a.m. on Monday, July 7, in Florida. Call 1-855-TOW-2-GO (1-855-286-9246) or visit https://autoclubsouth.aaa.com/safety/tow_to_go.aspx

The release adds, “It is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had only one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get home safely.”

06/30/2025

The League of Women Voters of Sarasota County has announced plans for a big rally on Saturday, July 5:

The nonpartisan rally will support the League's mission to “Empower Voters and Defend Democracy,” the organization has announced.

The rally will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on South Bayfront Drive, between Ringling Boulevard and Selby Gardens, a news release says. “All concerned citizens are invited to participate,” the release adds. “Issue-based signs will be furnished by LWVSRQ to maintain non-partisanship,” it notes

This rally will be part of Unite and Rise 8.5, “the League’s nationwide campaign to mobilize 8.5 million voters to protect our democratic institutions and fight back against authoritarianism through advocacy, mobilization, civic education, and engagement,” the release also explains.

On April 17, the release points out, the League of Women Voters of the United States (LWVUS) declared a constitutional crisis. Celina Stewart, LWVUS CEO, said, “Holding elected officials accountable to the public interest is not a partisan act; it is a vital function of a healthy democracy.”

For more information about the Sarasota County rally and to register for it, visit lwvsrq.org/events.

06/25/2025

If you are an animal lover and have room for a new addition to your family, please consider this opportunity:

From Friday, June 27, through Sunday, June 29, the Humane Society of Sarasota County (HSSC) will be part of a statewide effort whose goal is to find homes for 2,000 shelter pets, the nonprofit has announced.

The Petco Love Florida MEGA Adoption Event will involve nearly 50 animal welfare organizations across 31 counties, a news release points out.

The HSSC is located at 2331 15th St. in Sarasota (34237).

The most recent nationwide data available shows that “Florida ranks 46th in the nation when it comes to saving the lives of pets in shelters,” the release says. “In 2024, more than 35,000 dogs and cats were euthanized in animal shelters across Florida,” the release continues. “With help from Petco Love,” the release notes, “local animal shelters are aiming to close that gap through high-impact adoption events.”

The Humane Society of Sarasota County will be waiving adoption fees for all available animals during its three-day event. Moreover, the release says, the shelter will be open during special hours.
“All pets will be spayed/neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and ready to go home the same day. No appointments are necessary,” the release adds. All adoptions will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis, it points out.

06/10/2025

If you routinely drive in Venice — or if you plan on being in Venice later today or later this week, you need to be aware of this traffic situation, courtesy of Sarasota County Communications:

"The traffic signals at Center Road and Venice East Boulevard and Center Road and Rockley Boulevard in Venice have been placed on a standard timing cycle because of issues with newly installed detection equipment. This means the lights are operating in a ‘recall’ mode, which means they are cycling through all signal phases, even if no vehicles or pedestrians are present. This safe and temporary measure may cause slight delays in the area. We are hoping you can share with your readers and viewers. Team members are working closely with the contractor to resolve the hardware issue as quickly as possible. We appreciate the public’s patience and understanding as these upgrades are completed."

06/05/2025

Sarasota County Tax Collector Mike Moran has announced two big changes for his offices:

As of June 16, all four Tax Collector Office locations will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., “and services will be limited to Sarasota County residents,” a news release points out.

In the release, Moran said that “while maintaining our commitment to exceptional service, updated hours are being implemented to allow staff time for state-required training, continuing education, and the completion of end-of-day audit procedures.”

The release further stresses that “appointments or walk-in services will be provided to Sarasota County residents, businesses, seasonal residents, and those establishing residency only.”

“This change will enable our staff to more efficiently serve the residents of Sarasota County,” Moran added in the release.

“Appointments are recommended for all services,” the release says, while they are required for certain transactions: “the Road or Written Test, Concealed Weapon License, and any transaction in the North Port Office.”

As always, the release points out, “many services are available online at www.SarasotaTaxCollector.gov.”

Visit www.facebook.com/SarasotaTaxCollector for office updates and information.

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