February 27, 2026 Edition TOP STORIES: Two Sarasota County Charter amendment referenda that had been planned for November put on hold County staff to seek commission guidance on March 3 about processing proposed new county regulation to facilitate construction of Kompothecras hotel on Old Stickney Point Road ‘Provisional building’ option wins initial County Commission approval to help with overcrowding while plans proceed for new jail FDOT preparing for repairs to north Siesta Key bridge, with work expected to start soon Eminent domain process a possibility as county staff works to acquire property necessary for widening of Fruitville Road from Debrecen to Lorraine Commissioner Smith wins OK for discussion of proposed County Code change regarding height of buildings replacing those demolished because of extensive storm damage 3 teens arrested on armed robbery charges after incident at Fruitville Road convenience store 2 dead in apparent murder-suicide in Waterside apartment Nearly 26,000 gallons of fully treated wastewater spills after irrigation pipeline breaks in Bridle Oaks in Venice OPINION (free): Guest Column: A moment for those still deciding OTHER NEWS (free): Sarasota Memorial again earns spot on ‘World’s Best Hospitals’ list released by ‘Newsweek’ Community survey to assess housing and community development needs Animal welfare grants to help pets and wildlife with urgent and extraordinary needs Children First celebrating ‘defining year in its history’ Key issues shaping education in Sarasota County to be focus of March 4 League of Women Voters program March 8 celebration of International Women’s Day to be held at Michael Biehl Park in Venice Art Center Sarasota announces new exhibitions, featuring works by Park and Frorup, plus juried show and group exhibit, ‘Rooted in Community’
