Sarasota schools partner to offer ECG screenings for student-athletes
Sarasota schools say they are partnering with Who We Play For to offer ECG heart screenings for student-athletes during upcoming physical nights.
Sudden cardiac arrest is one of the leading causes of death on school campuses and often impacts students with no known symptoms. These quick, noninvasive screenings can help detect underlying heart conditions and potentially save lives.
Beginning July 1, 2026, Florida’s Second Chance Act will require certain students in grades 9–12 to complete a heart screening before participating in school athletics. These events help families meet that requirement.
April 13 at Booker High School from 5 to 8 p.m. Register: http://whoweplayfor.org/form-redirect?id=260976156612058
April 15 at North Port High School from 5 to 9 p.m. Register: http://whoweplayfor.org/form-redirect?id=260706708043050
Cost is $20 per student. Additional high schools will be scheduled in May.
We encourage families at Booker and North Port High School, particularly incoming 9th graders and student athletes, to take advantage of this opportunity.
WHO WE PLAY FOR
| Apr 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM | School |
North Port, FL
1960 Landings Blvd, Sarasota, FL
https://www.facebook.com/753563143466612/posts/1400480858774834
Sarasota County Ends Burn Ban as Drought Eases
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla.—The Sarasota County Fire Department lifted its burn ban on April 14, 2026, after the Keetch-Byram Drought Index fell below 500 for seven consecutive days, but drought conditions persist and a ban could be reinstated if rainfall remains deficient.
| Apr 14, 2026 at 5:30 PM | EMS |
Registration for 2026-27 school year now open
Sarasota County Schools says registration for the 2026–2027 school year is now open, with families urged to begin the process through the Focus Parent Portal and to contact their child’s school to finalize enrollment at sarasotacountyschools.net/register.
| Apr 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM | School |
Talent Wins as Sarasota County EDC Reports Growth
During its first Investor Update at Sarasota Memorial Health Care System, the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County outlined a strengthened strategic plan and partnerships, noted a $53 billion regional GDP growing at more than twice the national rate with gains in talent and high‑impact companies, and highlighted opportunities in aerospace and the ocean economy alongside a need for more shovel‑ready sites.
| Apr 14, 2026 at 9:30 AM | Business |
Sarasota students form anti-vaping task force.
Students in Sarasota County Schools have formed an Anti-Vaping Task Force that includes peer-led conversations and support programs such as Teens Anonymous to educate students and break the cycle of addiction.
| Apr 13, 2026 at 3:01 PM | School |
Sarasota County urges residents to register for Alert Sarasota County.
Sarasota County Emergency Services urged residents to sign up for Alert Sarasota County to receive rapid public-safety updates during emergencies by landline, cellphone, text message, email, TDD/TTY or the app, with registration at www.AlertSarasotaCounty.com.
| Apr 13, 2026 at 1:00 PM | EMS |
Sarasota County issues 9-1-1 usage guidelines
Sarasota County Emergency Services advised that 911 should be used to report a fire, to save a life or to stop a crime, and not for pranks, directions or information, with more details at SCGOV.NET.
| Apr 12, 2026 at 3:00 PM | EMS |
Sarasota County hosts Community Conversations Hurricane Preparedness event
Sarasota County Emergency Services thanked participants in this morning’s Community Conversations Hurricane Preparedness event and said it will post highlights and preparedness tips on social media as hurricane season approaches, with posts using the hashtags #SRQCounty and #CommunityConversations and linking to scgov.net/communityconversations.
| Apr 11, 2026 at 2:50 PM | EMS |
Sarasota County Holds Hurricane Preparedness Community Conversations
Sarasota County Emergency Services is urging residents to attend a Community Conversations on Hurricane Preparedness Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, where experts will discuss personal and home preparations and vital resources; registration is through Eventbrite at bit.ly/3RbMCck and more information is at scgov.net/CommunityConversations.
| Apr 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM | EMS |
Sarasota to host Community Conversations on Hurricane Preparedness
Sarasota County will host Community Conversations: Hurricane Preparedness on April 11 at Riverview High School, featuring leaders from Sarasota County Emergency Management, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and the National Hurricane Center, with doors opening at 9 a.m., presentations beginning at 10 a.m. and registration at scgov.net.
| Apr 10, 2026 at 11:30 AM | EMS |