December 19, 2025 Edition TOP STORIES: St. Armands infrastructure project wins partial funding from County Commission, with county Stormwater Department to manage design and construction Idle Speed, No Wake zone offshore of Ted Sperling Park on South Lido wins full County Commission approval County Commission emphasizes need to keep spending down for 2027 and 2028 fiscal years, given worries about property tax issue Use of Sarasota city logo on Performing Arts Foundation newspaper ad had city authorization Feb. 11 hearing scheduled in Circuit Court in Franklin’s case seeking modification of Jan. 16, 2024 City Commission minutes Jan. 13, 2026 public hearing scheduled on proposed County Code amendments related to public-private project partnerships Apparent misinformation given to applicant for new medical marijuana dispensary prompts County Commission debate that ends with Special Exception approval Cutsinger to serve as County Commission chair in 2026 Nearly 3.6 acres along Intracoastal Waterway in Venice added to county holdings through Neighborhood Parkland Program Sarasota Mayor Trice files amended financial form with Florida Commission on Ethics after realizing she made error in original form OPINION (free): Guest Column: Not all ‘e-bikes’ are bicycles: What parents should know before buying an electric bike for a child Letters to the Editor: An open letter to Rep. Vern Buchanan, Rep. Greg Steube, Sen. Rick Scott and Sen. Ashley Moody OTHER NEWS (free): Sarasota Police Department warning of scams involving large cash withdrawals and ride-sharing apps Sheriff’s Office collects record number of gifts during 2025 Holiday Toy Drive Community Foundation of Sarasota County awards $445,000 in new grants, providing broad support to nearly 30 organizations Temporary lane closure in effect on eastbound Clark Road through Dec. 23 Angers of Brown and Brown insurance firm to be speaker for Jan. 13 in-person meeting of Siesta Key Condominium Council Selby Gardens honored with 2025 American Architecture Award from Chicago Athenaeum City and County of Sarasota announce holiday closings
