April 10, 2026 Edition TOP STORIES: No county parcels with residential, Open Use or Residential Estate zoning to be sites of Live Local Act developments, County Commission agrees unanimously Registration program for short-term vacation rentals should be implemented, County Commission agrees Smith gains full County Commission support for upcoming discussion on formal resolution requiring in-person Neighborhood Workshops on land-use applications Live Local Act informational sessions to be offered countywide to help residents understand facets of state law, County Commission decides High-rise hotel issue on Siesta Key at heart of April 13 hearing to be conducted by Board of Zoning Appeals Leaders of Siesta organizations seek assurance of ‘stakeholder oversight’ in development of new master plan for barrier island Two new segments of Legacy Trail open to the public Suspect in deputy-involved shooting previously charged with aggravated battery with deadly weapon in Manatee County 2 charged with operating illegal gambling establishment on South Beneva Road in Sarasota in building owned by Kompothecras 21-year-old woman charged in May 2024 homicide that occurred on 31st Street in Sarasota 2nd sewage spill on site of Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility blamed on ‘headworks’ issue OTHER NEWS (free): Photo essay: Earth Day 2026 Sarasota County Tax Collector Moran announces modified office hours for April April 25 annual luncheon of League of Women Voters of Sarasota County to focus on midterm elections Sheriff’s Office Block Party set for April 11 at agency’s Cattleridge Boulevard headquarters in Sarasota Sarasota Police Department to host family-friendly Spring Fest on Tuesday, April 14 City of Sarasota residents invited to tree giveaway event on Saturday, April 18, at The Bay Park Participants in Refurb Project of Sarasota County Technology Users Group hoping for strong support during 2026 Giving Challenge Elling Eide Center to host inaugural Team‑Challenge BioBlitz on May 2 on Little Sarasota Bay 30th Annual Big Truck Day set for April 18 Big Waters Land Trust Awarded $5,000 in support of nature-based education programs Three Sheriff’s Office members graduate from Command Officer Management Program offered by St. Leo University
