29 Apr 2022 TOP STORIES: With Detert objecting, County Commission authorizes staff to negotiate with Manatee-Sarasota Business Industry Association to take over Florida House lease and move building Supervisor of Elections Office to purchase new equipment in effort to prevent outside interference with coming elections Judge denies intervenors’ request to move up trial date in Ramirez’s lawsuit over Calle Miramar hotel on Siesta Connelly sells Crescent Beach Grocery to Siesta businessman Chris Brown, who hopes to find a boutique grocer for the location Sarasota County’s COVID-19 positivity rate up 33% over past week, reaching 11.43% as of April 24 seven-day average, CDC says (free) Troche named City of Sarasota police chief With May 9 trial looming on woman’s lawsuit over horrific injuries allegedly suffered in accident blamed on Sarasota County employee, commissioners hold ‘shade meeting’ with county attorney Starting Oct. 1, county to levy sixth penny of ‘bed tax’ Woman’s drowning in Sarasota Bay under investigation by Sarasota Police Department 35-year-old convicted felon in Sarasota charged with possessing six guns and 1,331 rounds of ammunition Tax-increment financing district revenue for Bay Park in downtown Sarasota estimated to be $1 million higher through 2023 fiscal year than originally projected Siesta Seen OPINION (free): Cartoon of the Week OTHER NEWS (free): Arbor Day celebration planned on April 29 at North Water Tower Park in Sarasota With first sea turtle nest of 2022 discovered on Longboat Key, county residents asked to help hatchlings survive May 1 the opening date for public design contest for new City of Sarasota seal New Emergency Rental Assistance Program ambassador location open in Venice to help county residents April 30 designated National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, with Sarasota Police Department and Sheriff’s Office set to accept drugs at their headquarters Venice office of Clerk of Court moves to new South County Courthouse