April 17, 2026 Edition TOP STORIES: ‘Wild deed’ issue arises ahead of final step in county settlement of Holderness’ federal lawsuit Holderness’ attorney threatens Ramirez with legal action over statements about value of beach parcels proposed for transfer to county Formal County Commission vote puts referendum on extending Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program on November General Election ballot Magistrate issues order recommending Circuit Court judge dismiss Franklin case involving City Commission minutes related to ‘hoax post’ Rehabilitation of north Siesta drawbridge to begin on April 20 Commissioner Smith calls for staff research into extending Siesta trolley route to northern portion of Siesta Village Siesta Beach wins No. 1 ranking on ‘U.S. News & World Report’ list for this year 35-year-old Sarasota man charged with multiple counts related to possession and trafficking of narcotics, including fentanyl About 300 gallons of raw sewage spills from manholes on Seventh Street and North Washington Boulevard after blockage occurs in pipeline County burn ban lifted on April 14 (free) OTHER NEWS (free): 2026 Giving Challenge raises $16.7 million for local nonprofits Big Waters Land Trust accepting submissions for third annual Community Art Show Hyde Park Groves/Forest Lakes historical marker to be unveiled on April 17 at Gulf Gate Library Sunshine Community Compost and Community Harvest SRQ merge to form Sunshine Community Harvest Sheriff’s Office expressing appreciation to the public for success of 2026 Block Party Food Drive Sarasota Memorial cancer team achieves 75% early-stage lung cancer diagnosis rate by expanding detection beyond screening Sheriff’s Office to participate in April 25 DEA Prescription Drug Take Back Campaign Bishop-Parker Foundation awards $7,668 grant to Big Waters Land Trust for 2026 Watershed Explorers program
