22 Apr 2022 TOP STORIES: $79 surcharge on tickets to performances projected to enable City of Sarasota to pay for new performing arts center, CPA who was auditor for Broadway’s Shubert Theatre finds in analysis Ahearn-Koch fails to win support of fellow city commissioners in request to delve more deeply into funding scenarios for proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center COVID-19 positivity rate up to 8.57% in Sarasota County as of April 17 — about 30% higher than April 10 figure (free) Emergency Rental Assistance Program has disbursed $10 million in its first year, county staff announces (free) With funding plans and design and pre-construction contracts approved, county staff moving ahead with first phase of 17th Street Regional Park 24-year-old Bradenton man charged with aggravated battery and assault following April 16 shooting in northern part of City of Sarasota In discussions about new performing arts hall on city waterfront, future of Van Wezel remains unclear 30-year-old Jacksonville man charged with fatal shooting on Green Oak Court in Sarasota Ringling Bridge to be lit throughout year with colors reflecting variety of observances City of Sarasota ‘in very strong financial position,’ 2021 audit shows Median age of Siesta Key resident 67.2, and median household income around $100,000, latest U.S. Census data show Groundbreaking planned on April 22 to mark beginning of FDOT’s widening of River Road and related improvements OPINION (free): Cartoon of the Week Guest Column: Green Living Toolkit the essential guide to sustainable living on the Suncoast OTHER NEWS (free): Photo essay: How to get to Sesame Street Dry conditions prompt Sarasota County Fire Department to issue recreational burn ban 2022 county Seagrass Survey to be conducted on April 30 at Sarasota Sailing Squadron’s location on Ken Thompson Parkway Construction crew hits gas line at intersection of University Parkway and Cattlemen Road