Sarasota County shares wildfire home safety steps
Sarasota County Emergency Services posted steps residents can take to protect homes from wildfire. The guidance includes creating a safety zone up to 100 feet, clearing dry debris, and keeping woodpiles at least 30 feet away.
| Jun 14, 2026 at 10:20 PM |
Sarasota Habitat Donors Fund HVAC After Mold Damage
Sarasota County Habitat for Humanity said donors helped replace an HVAC system after severe mold damage. The homeowner previously had to stop using air conditioning due to unsafe air quality.
| Jun 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Enterprise Mobility Volunteers Help Sarasota Habitat Build Homes
Sarasota County Habitat for Humanity said Enterprise Mobility volunteers worked on home construction tasks at two properties. The group installed fence panels, completed landscaping, and worked on screen enclosures.
| Jun 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
SCSO Celebrates K-9 Jazz’s Birthday
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said K-9 Jazz celebrated her birthday with Dep. Skau. The post described Jazz diving into a pool of fun, eating pup-cakes, and getting belly rubs and hugs.
| Jun 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Sarasota deputy announces additional CSAM charges for suspect
Sarasota County Sheriff officials said Jose Gabino Macias Zambrano was arrested again on Wednesday, June 10, and faced additional charges. The sheriff’s office said the new charges total 56 and were added to charges from an earlier arrest.
| Jun 13, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Sarasota County urges beachgoers to read safety signs
Sarasota County Emergency Services said beach signs and lifeguard stand flags give information about local hazards, regulations, and temporary restrictions. It also advised people to swim near a lifeguard.
| Jun 13, 2026 at 2:20 PM |
Sarasota CEO Academy accepting interest forms
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County is accepting interest forms for the inaugural Sarasota County CEO Academy through July 10. A nine-month program for second-stage companies will use a virtual format with 2 hours per month.
| Jun 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Sarasota Fire Department Open House Set for June 13
Sarasota County Fire Department is holding an open house on June 13 at Fire Station 6. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
| Jun 12, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Sarasota warns deactivated phones can still reach 911
Sarasota County Emergency Services says deactivated cell phones can still make calls to 911. The public safety communications center does not receive caller location data from such calls.
| Jun 11, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Sarasota County urges hurricane evacuation preparedness
Sarasota County Emergency Services warned residents they may need to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane. The agency said people should know their local evacuation level and have a plan if they need to leave.
| Jun 10, 2026 at 10:20 PM |
Crews Control Structure Fire on Pine Run Drive
Sarasota County Fire Department crews responded to a structure fire in the 300 block of Pine Run Drive in Osprey. The fire was brought under control within 15 minutes, with no evacuations, injuries, or transports reported.
| Jun 10, 2026 at 6:20 AM |
Warn Visitors About Rip Currents, Help Safely
Sarasota County Emergency Services urges beachgoers to stay vigilant, educate visitors about rip currents and other hazards, and, if someone is in distress, quickly alert a lifeguard and throw a flotation device—do not attempt a rescue yourself.
| Jun 8, 2026 at 2:20 AM |
Sarasota Fire Station 6 to Host Open House Saturday
Sarasota County Fire Department Station 6 will host an open house Saturday, June 13, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 4100 Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota, where visitors can see fire apparatus and learn about fire safety, according to Sarasota County Emergency Services.
| Jun 7, 2026 at 2:20 PM |
Sarasota Highlights 'Ready Together' Hurricane Preparedness Video
The City of Sarasota urged residents to prepare for hurricane season before storms threaten, citing a Sarasota County Emergency Services video titled "Ready Together for Hurricane Preparedness 2026."
| Jun 6, 2026 at 8:20 AM |
Sarasota County Emergency Services Issues 911 Reminders
Sarasota County Emergency Services reminded residents calling 911 to stay calm, clearly state the emergency, provide their name, phone number and address, answer the call-taker’s questions, and stay on the line until told it’s OK to hang up.
| Jun 6, 2026 at 8:20 AM |
Sarasota County fourth-quarter report cards now available in Focus Portal
Sarasota County Schools says fourth-quarter report cards are now available in the Focus Parent Portal, with access via scs.focusschoolsoftware.com or the SCS Portal app and assistance from the child’s school if needed.
| Jun 6, 2026 at 8:20 AM |
Prescribed Burn Underway at Carlton Reserve
Sarasota County firefighters and the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department Wildland Mitigation Group planned a prescribed burn today at the Carlton Reserve after receiving state authorization, with burns permitted during a burn ban when authorized by the Florida Forest Service.
| Jun 6, 2026 at 4:21 AM |
SCBA marks centennial with city proclamation
The Sarasota County Bar Association, founded in 1926, celebrated its 100th anniversary with a proclamation from the City Commission presented by City Commissioner Liz Alpert, with SCBA President Sara Castro and President-elect Alan Perez on hand to receive the honor.
| Jun 6, 2026 at 2:20 AM |
Sarasota County urges families to create a Family Communications Plan
Sarasota County Emergency Services urges residents to create a Family Communications Plan to outline how to reach a safe location, contact one another, meet up and respond in different disaster scenarios, with resources at scgov.net/beprepared, ready.gov/make-a-plan and weather.gov.
| Jun 5, 2026 at 12:20 AM |
Sarasota Educators Win Barancik Ripple Effect Awards
Six Sarasota County Schools educators — Hal Anderson, Ken Hall, Stacy Lenz, Tonya Quinn, Erin Tuttle and Megan Ehlers — were named recipients of the Spring 2026 Ripple Effect Teacher Award from the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for their dedication, innovation and care.
| Jun 5, 2026 at 12:20 AM |
Florida Schools Named Everglades Champions Gold Level
Florida’s Sarasota County schools were praised for Atwater Elementary, Brentwood Elementary School, Cranberry Elementary and Fruitville Elementary, as the Everglades Champions — Gold Level designation highlighted schools across Broward, Collier, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Orange and Palm Beach counties.
| Jun 4, 2026 at 8:20 PM |
Tatge named Paramedic-in-Charge for Sarasota County Fire Department.
Jillian Tatge has been named Paramedic-in-Charge with the Sarasota County Fire Department, according to Sarasota County Emergency Services.
| Jun 4, 2026 at 4:20 AM |
Sarasota County student-athletes win 26 district, 12 regional titles
Sarasota County Schools Athletics said that during the 2025-2026 school year, SCS student-athletes earned 26 district championships, 12 regional championships, two team state championships, multiple individual state titles and numerous academic and athletic honors.
| Jun 4, 2026 at 4:20 AM |
Fire medic Jeffrey Fianko earns journeyman status
Firemedic Jeffrey Fianko has achieved Journeyman status with the Sarasota County Fire Department, and the department thanked him for his dedication to SCFD and the community, according to Sarasota County Emergency Services.
| Jun 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM |
Sarasota Virtual School honors Class of 2026 graduates
Sarasota Virtual School celebrated the Class of 2026 for earning a high school diploma as it opened enrollment for the 2026-27 school year, highlighting a tuition-free online program serving grades K-12 with local Sarasota County staff support and options for full-time or part-time online education.
| Jun 3, 2026 at 10:20 AM |
Sarasota County wraps up Operation Readiness
Sarasota County Emergency Services says Operation Readiness has wrapped up after 34 trainings and activities over two weeks, drawing more than 1,600 participants and 42 partner agencies for 3,000 hours of training, with a recap video available as hurricane season begins June 1.
| Jun 2, 2026 at 12:20 PM |
Sarasota County urges adding to disaster kits this weekend
Sarasota County Emergency Services urges residents to add items to their disaster supply kits during grocery shopping this weekend, recommending at least seven days of nonperishable food, batteries and pet supplies, with a full checklist at scgov.net/beprepared.
| May 31, 2026 at 4:20 PM |
Sarasota County Urges Early Hurricane Preparation
Sarasota County Emergency Services urges residents to prepare for hurricane season, which begins June 1, by developing an evacuation plan, stocking disaster supplies, reviewing insurance, creating a written family communication plan and strengthening homes as part of its “Ready Together” initiative, with more information at scgov.net/beprepared and weather.gov/hurricane.
| May 30, 2026 at 8:20 PM |
Sarasota County EDC Honors Fallen Service Members on Memorial Day
SARASOTA, Fla. — The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County posted a Memorial Day tribute on its Facebook page honoring the men and women who gave their lives in service to the country and thanking all who have served.
| May 30, 2026 at 8:20 PM |
Brush Fire near Pinelands Reserve 90% Contained
SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A brush fire near Pinelands Reserve has grown to roughly 300 acres and is 90% contained, with no injuries or substantial property damage, no current risk to the public and a burn ban in effect, with officials saying more information will be released as it becomes available.
| May 30, 2026 at 8:20 PM |
186 Sarasota County retirees honored for 3,613 years of service
Sarasota County Schools honored 186 retirees who together served 3,613 years across classrooms, cafeterias, buses, campuses and district offices, including one retiree with 56 years of service, and thanked them for their dedication as they begin the next chapter.
| May 29, 2026 at 10:20 PM | School |
Sarasota County Observes Wildfire Community Preparedness Day, Offers Presentations
Sarasota County Emergency Services marked Wildfire Community Preparedness Day on Saturday, May 2, and urged groups to request presentations from the Sarasota County Fire Department on wildfire risk assessment, home hardening and defensible space, and emergency preparedness and evacuation planning, with requests at loom.ly/jpBA-e0 or scgov.net/fire.
| May 29, 2026 at 12:00 PM | EMS |
Scentsational 1998 grows into nationally recognized manufacturer, EDC says
The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County said Scentsational, founded in 1998 as a small garage operation in Venice, has become a nationally recognized manufacturer and a Sarasota County success story, and after touring its headquarters and production facility as part of the Business Retention and Expansion program, the EDC said the company’s continued expansion and job creation are strengthening the county’s manufacturing ecosystem while thanking CEO JaNiece Hunter and the Scentsational team for their ongoing investment in the community and workforce.
| May 29, 2026 at 8:01 AM | Business |
Sarasota County Urges Residents to Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
Sarasota County Emergency Services urges residents to sign up for emergency alerts at AlertSarasotaCounty.com and to keep a weather radio with spare batteries in their hurricane-season preparedness kits, noting SRQCountyES is the county’s official notification system.
| May 28, 2026 at 9:00 AM | EMS |
Sarasota Provides Free Summer Meals for Kids
Today is the first day of summer, and free meals for children in Sarasota County are available through partnerships with All Faiths Food Bank, with Summer BreakSpot meal sites and distribution locations listed at allfaithsfoodbank.org/summer-food-sites.
| May 28, 2026 at 8:21 AM | School |
Sarasota Police, Dispatchers Praised for Teamwork
Sarasota police officers visiting the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Emergency Operations Bureau this week brought treats for dispatchers and praised the ongoing teamwork between officers and dispatchers, highlighting the partnership between the Sarasota Police Department and the sheriff's office.
| May 27, 2026 at 4:20 PM | Police |
Sarasota man, 23, charged with lewd battery of a minor
SARASOTA, Fla. — Carson Smith, 23, of Sarasota, was arrested May 20 on a felony charge of lewd and lascivious battery involving a 15-year-old girl he allegedly met on Snapchat, transported to his downtown Sarasota apartment after four pickups at a Venice gas station, and had sexual intercourse with her; he was released on bond May 22, and investigators say the case is ongoing with possible additional victims.
| May 27, 2026 at 9:08 AM | Police |
Sarasota County Board Approves EDC FY 2027 Contract
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County’s FY2027 contract, according to a post from the EDC on Facebook that attributed the vote to collaboration and transparency and said the contract aims to grow high-wage jobs, expand commercial opportunities, and support the companies that make Sarasota County a dynamic place to live and work.
| May 27, 2026 at 8:54 AM | Business |
Heat safety tips from Sarasota County
Sarasota County Emergency Services urged residents to stay safe during heat waves by staying hydrated and taking breaks in the shade at job sites, checking on the elderly and others without air conditioning indoors, never leaving kids or pets unattended in vehicles, and limiting outdoor activity, noting that heat-related deaths are preventable.
| May 26, 2026 at 9:00 AM | EMS |
Sarasota County Invites Residents to Join Summer Reading Challenge
The Sarasota County Government invites residents to join the Summer Reading Challenge, according to Sarasota Schoolsinreports, with signup at SarasotaCountyLibraries.org/SummerLearning-.
| May 26, 2026 at 7:58 AM | School |
