October 17, 2025 Edition TOP STORIES: D.R. Horton proposal for fewer homes on Smith Properties to be focus of Oct. 21 County Commission discussion Siesta resident who won litigation against county over high-rise hotels asks County Commission to refute new zoning administrator’s determination regarding hotels as commercial use On Oct. 21, County Commission to consider proposed new regulations for motorized watercraft in vicinity of Ted Sperling Park on South Lido Key Sarasota Development Services staff explains tree removal exemption criteria in regard to Selby Gardens’ Phase 2 plans Agent for developer of planned Adagio complex in downtown Sarasota declines offer of Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association to facilitate community meeting Mast seeks renaming of part of Fruitville Road the Charlie Kirk Memorial Road August marks fifth consecutive month for higher ‘bed tax’ revenue than in same month of 2024 A week into new fiscal year, County Commission approves almost $7.9 million for new Stormwater Department personnel and equipment Benderson Park to host 2028 World Rowing Championships 38-year-old Sarasota man sentenced to 40 years in prison in case involving firing of shots at Sarasota County Fire Department EMS unit in January 2019 About 16,000 gallons of raw sewage spills on South Beneva Road after contractor punctures county pipeline Burn ban put into effect because of local drought conditions, Fire Department announces (free) OTHER NEWS (free): New website debuts for Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources staff to host in-person community meetings next week to share information on ongoing park projects Porter of U.S. Travel Association to headline Visit Sarasota County’s Indicators & Insights Summit Oct. 18 No Kings Rally planned by League of Women Voters of Sarasota County in Sarasota’s Payne Park With community support, Harvest House expanding mental health program Five new officers join Sarasota Police Department SMH volunteer physician honored with ‘Excellence Award’ from Society for Vascular Surgery
