May 15, 2026 Edition TOP STORIES: Neunder moves into fundraising lead as candidates vie for 2 County Commission seats Sarasota City Commission revives idea of establishing Parks District and discusses taking over Ted Sperling Park on South Lido Independent legal opinion calls Live Local Act affordable housing law ‘one of most significant state-level preemptions of local land use and zoning authority in recent years’ With 4-1 vote, County Commission agrees to sell property located at 261 S. Orange Ave. in Sarasota to Architecture Sarasota Longer paid-parking hours and higher fees for citations to go into effect in city of Sarasota on June 1 Emphasizing desire to provide more public access to the county’s waters, County Commission approves purchase of Boatyard property on Stickney Point Road Route of Legacy Trail segment from 17th Street Regional Park to Nathan Benderson Park to be modified More than 23,000 gallons of raw sewage spills at intersection of Myrtle Street and Cocoanut Avenue in city of Sarasota Sarasota Police Department investigating death of child on Dixie Avenue, with preliminary indication that ‘foul play’ not involved OTHER NEWS (free): Both Sarasota Memorial campuses — in Sarasota and Venice — win 5-star ratings from Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Memorial Day Parade planned for May 25 in downtown Sarasota Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections Office recognized with three national awards Project Pride, Senior Friendship Centers to present Silver Pride 2026 on June 6 3rd annual World Ocean Day planned for Saturday, June 6, in Nokomis Free Kids Summer Beach Runs to resume in June on Siesta and North Brohard beaches 3 Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputy recruits graduate from Southwest Florida Public Service Academy
