Jan 16, 2026 TOP STORIES: Transparency for public stressed as Sarasota County staff handles Live Local Act applications Feb. 11 workshop planned for County Commission to kick off strategic plan to beautify Siesta Key in wake of 2024 hurricanes County’s Emergency Services leaders urging the public to take steps to prepare for potential wildfires, given severe drought in region Architecture Sarasota wins County Commission approval to purchase its historic home in downtown Sarasota City of Sarasota seeking emergency order to preserve evidence needed to fight Zieglers’ federal lawsuit For 2nd consecutive month, ‘bed tax’ revenue exceeds total collected in same month of prior fiscal year Latest renourishment of Lido Key Beach expected to begin on Jan. 20 Two Sarasota residents charged with multiple weapons counts after Police Department executes Hillsborough County search warrant Lifeguard and Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol help boater right catamaran in Gulf off Siesta Key after alert goes out about overturned vessel Report highlights work of Sarasota County Government in 2025 On Jan. 21, county staff to host neighborhood workshop on Future Thoroughfare Plan OTHER NEWS (free): SMH achieves perfect 5-star Medicare-Medicaid rating for 10th year in a row Annual Say ‘I Do’ Again ceremony planned on Valentine’s Day on Siesta Beach and Nokomis Beach Temporary Manasota Key Road segment opens near Blind Pass Beach Park Selby Library to be closed on Saturday, Jan. 17 Sunrise Beach Walks to resume in February on Siesta and Nokomis beaches Embracing Our Differences exhibit planned from Jan. 17 through April 19 in Bayfront Park Sarasota Memorial joins clinical trial for patients with aortic valve disease Annual Members Juried Show to anchor Art Center Sarasota’s centennial season Big Waters Land Trust honors 2025 Conservation Partner of the Year SMH’s new Sleep Disorder Center established to help improve quality of sleep, daytime alertness and long-term health Sarasota Bay Estuary Program partnering with Wayne Adventures to offer free, therapeutic kayak trips for veterans City and county government offices and facilities to be closed Jan. 19 in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
