Jan 9, 2026 TOP STORIES: First of 2 FDOT projects planned for corridor between downtown Sarasota and St. Armands getting underway this week Holderness’ attorney asks court to dismiss Siesta plaintiffs’ petition to overturn County Commission approval of Coastal Setback Variance for federal lawsuit settlement FDOT soon to begin months-long project at intersection of Fruitville and Beneva roads, in addition to work on route between downtown Sarasota and Longboat Key Jan. 13 special Sarasota City Commission meeting scheduled for review of city manager applications and potential selection of semi-finalists Property Appraiser Furst’s request for nearly $884,000 for new software in current budget to be focus of Jan. 13 County Commission hearing Two more City of Sarasota buildings coming under management of Bay Park Conservancy About 350 full-time City of Sarasota employees getting raise, thanks to City Commission approval of Teamsters agreement Roberson named county communications director Sheriff’s Office wins County Commission approval to install automatic license plate readers and camera systems on county- and state-owned traffic signal poles About 78,000 gallons of raw sewage spills at Bee Ridge Water Reclamation Facility after workers’ action results in shutdown of screening system Sheriff’s Office’s Operation Ice Break results in arrests of 14 individuals and filing of 40 felony charges Sarasota County recognized for two historic preservation initiatives (free) OTHER NEWS (free): SMH ranked among America’s 100 ‘Great Hospitals’ in 2025 First CONA meeting since 2020 to be held on Jan. 13 at Gulf Gate Library Jan. 16 event hosted by Sarasota League of Women Voters to address local effects of federal health care cuts Feast Upon the Fields luncheon planned for Feb. 22 at Longino Ranch Refunding of outstanding Sarasota County utility bonds to save about $3.5 million for rate payers Bishop-Parker Foundation grant expands access to nature through Big Waters Land Trust programs Supervisor of Elections Turner announces scholarship opportunity for college students Three Kings Day event held for Sarasota Police officers to distribute toys and emphasize ‘positive youth engagement’ Visit Sarasota County receives accolades from meetings industry Wiese-Rometsch, SMH’s chief academic officer, honored for advancing careers of women in medicine Fourth class graduates from Sheriff’s Office’s Corrections Training Academy
