February 6, 2026 Edition TOP STORIES: Feb. 17 oral arguments scheduled in Ramirez case challenging Holderness’ settlement with Sarasota County involving 162 Beach Road parcel Special City Commission meeting on Feb. 10 scheduled for selection of finalists for new city manager Office of County Attorney to review Commissioner Smith’s proposed revision of draft ordinance regarding removal of unauthorized signs from county rights-of-way $2 fee per hour at new Bay Park day docks wins City Commission approval on first reading Property Appraiser’s Office to get updated software, with expense to be covered by impact fees, County Commission decides With only 2 applicants for seat on Board of Zoning Appeals, Commissioner Mast wins colleagues’ support for readvertising position In March, replacement of all 17,000 residential water meters in city of Sarasota to begin 25-year-old Sarasota man charged with aggravated assault after shooting his father in Lowe’s parking lot As planned when previous County Commission agreed to the construction, county purchases District 12 Medical Examiner’s Office building on Fruitville Road About 10,000 gallons of raw sewage spills in Venice after a county pipeline breaks 28-year-old Venice woman charged with maintaining a gambling house and possessing slot machines More stringent water restrictions to begin on Feb. 8 for Sarasota and other counties within jurisdiction of Southwest Florida Water Management District (free) OTHER NEWS (free): Sarasota Memorial Hospital ranked among nation’s 50 top cardiovascular hospitals Sarasota and Manatee leagues to hold joint rally on Feb. 14 to celebrate League of Women Voters’ 106th birthday Feb. 10 CONA meeting to focus on proposed state changes regarding property taxes and home rule for local governments County Libraries and Historical Resources staff launches Culture Pass for free or discounted access for adults to theaters and museums Truly Valued receives $135,000 from The Henson Fund to support youth and adult re-entry programs Women’s Resource Center awarded $75,000 grant from William G. and Marie Selby Foundation to help fund critical maintenance projects
