Jan 10, 2025 TOP STORIES: Smith Properties County Commission hearing set for Feb. 12 in downtown Sarasota County Fire Department to host another community meeting in Nokomis on Jan. 11 to discuss proposal involving volunteer fire department South Siesta resident dismisses lawsuit against county over stoplight at Avenue B and C on Stickney Point Road Sarasota City Commission approves $339,250 agreement to enhance Police Department’s use of license plate readers in locating crime suspects Resurfacing project on Siesta Key to resume Jan. 13 New School Speed Zone Safety Program underway in city of Sarasota Commissioner Smith rebuffed again in calling for return to in-person Neighborhood Workshops on land-use applications Completion of roundabout at Pine Place and Ringling Boulevard in downtown Sarasota delayed until spring FDOT funding for fourth year of Bay Runner route incorporated into city budget as talks continue about county taking over service While applauding Biden’s action to protect hundreds of millions of acres of coastal waters from oil and gas drilling, new leader of Healthy Gulf expresses disappointment over exclusion of western Gulf Sarasota County storm debris collections continue, while City of Sarasota celebrates completion of its initiative before holidays New multi-family dock with nine finger piers for Turtle Cove condominium complex wins County Commission approval Burn ban in effect in Sarasota County (free) OTHER NEWS (free): Siesta Key Condominium Council to host Jan. 14 Zoom meeting focused on insurance issues for associations League of Women Voters announces YVote contest winners Gulf Coast Community Foundation reaches $2.7-million milestone in support for All Faiths Food Bank’s Campaign Against Summer Hunger North Port Library to celebrate 50th anniversary with special event on Jan. 11 Sarasota County’s annual Fire Fest set for Jan. 25 Sarasota Memorial expands emergency care in Lakewood Ranch Supervisor of Elections Turner announces scholarship opportunity for college students