Sarasota County Emergency Services reminds residents to leave fireworks displays to professionals. The reminder follows National Fire Protection Association data showing that fireworks cause thousands of injuries each year and start more than 19,500 fires annually. Officials stress that Sarasota County is currently under a burn ban, and igniting fireworks is a violation of that ban. The county urges residents to attend public fireworks displays and avoid lighting their own fireworks this New Year’s Eve to help keep the community safe. Fireworks may be dangerous to people, pets, and property, and using them improperly increases the risk of injury and fire.

Source: Sarasota County Emergency Services

Source Type: EMS

Source Location:

North Port, FL

6050 Porter Way, Sarasota, FL 34232

https://www.facebook.com/reel/791749570552502/

Sarasota County Partners with Gener8tor on Mote Commercialization

SARASOTA, Fla. — The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County hosted a tour with gener8tor at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, joined by Mote Tech Transfer leadership and City of Sarasota officials, as gener8tor shared best practices on accelerator and incubator programming, venture acceleration resources and building scalable startup ecosystems to bolster Mote’s commercialization and the region’s innovation pipeline.

Team Behind the Scenes Spotlights Stephen Bundy, Truancy Worker

Stephen Bundy, a Sarasota County Schools truancy worker with three years in the district and a background in public safety and youth services, was spotlighted by Team Behind the Scenes for identifying root causes of absences and partnering with families to improve attendance, including a student who shifted from resisting school to taking pride in daily attendance, and he enjoys traveling, collecting comics and memorabilia, and helping students reengage.

Sarasota County Schools Cite DOE Data on Student Performance

Sarasota County Schools cited Florida Department of Education data for the 2025-2026 school year showing students in district-managed schools perform at or above grade level compared with charter, home education and private schools, and unveiled a campaign featuring slogans such as "SCHOOL CHOICE MATTERS" and "Say YES to SCS."

North Port breaks ground on Emergency Operations Center

North Port broke ground on its future Emergency Operations Center, with construction at 10 North Port Emergency Operations Center in North Port, Fla., set for completion in spring 2027, contractor Ajax and Sarasota County Emergency Management Chief Sandra Tapfumaneyi on hand, while former North Port commissioners Debbie McDowell and Alice White are listed in project materials.

Harmar expands Sarasota facility, boosts local jobs

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County said its team toured Harmar, a Sarasota-based maker of stair lifts, vehicle lifts and other mobility solutions, the nation’s largest supplier of mobility and access lifts, whose 35,000-square-foot expansion at its Sarasota headquarters underscores the area’s manufacturing strength and local job opportunities while delivering mobility solutions nationwide.

Sarasota County Fire Department's Whole Blood Program Turns One

Sarasota County Fire Department EMS Capt. Dunham discussed the department’s Whole Blood Program on ABC7 Sarasota, noting the partnership with SunCoast Blood Centers is now one year old and inviting donations at scgov.net/fire.

Sarasota County Schools promote school-choice options

Sarasota County Schools say families have options and encourage applying to district-managed public schools that provide certified teachers, layered academic supports, accelerated pathways and district accountability through School Choice/Controlled Open Enrollment at www.sarasotacountyschools.net/choice.

Sarasota Fire Department offers free car-seat inspections at open houses

The Sarasota County Fire Department will offer free car seat safety inspections at its open houses, with additional firefighters on site to conduct more inspections during Fire Station 10's open house Feb. 28 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Sarasota high school seniors invited to one-day job-shadowing program.

Sarasota County Schools is offering high school seniors a one-day job-shadowing program called "Building a Bridge for Hire" to explore careers across IT, mechanics, HVAC, food services and more, with sign-ups due before spring break, a spring 2026 schedule for April 14–16, and students urged to consult their school counselor.

USF, Sarasota County Schools to Launch STEM Pathways in Brookside

The University of South Florida College of Education and Sarasota County Schools will launch STEM pathways at the Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology in Brookside in the 2026–27 school year, focusing on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, game development, information technology, marine sciences and robotics to build a foundation for innovation and future opportunities.