Sarasota

Burn ban now in effect due to dry conditions in Sarasota County

For the past 15 years, the Diocese of Venice has hosted a Veterans Day ceremony to pay tribute to the fallen.

Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe opened its 25th season in Sarasota this month with “Soul Crooners: Solid Gold Edition.” Founder and Artistic Director Nate Jacobs wrote and directs the company’s signature jukebox musical, which holds a special place in the annals of WBTT's history.

In this Halloween installment from the StoryCorps Mobile Tour visit to Fort Myers in February 2024, we hear author Kim Cool recount her experience of bringing psychics into the Sarasota winter home of circus mogul John Ringling and his wife Mable Burton Ringling in search of ghosts.

Opening October 18 at Urbanite Theatre in Sarasota is the regional premiere of Morgan Gould’s dark comedy “Jennifer, Who Is Leaving.” Set in a lonely Dunkin Donuts on highway outside Boston, the play captures the demands placed on women, who are often thrust into the role of caregiver - like it or not.

After experiencing a heavy hit from hurricanes Helene andMilton, Gulf Coast citizens aged 65 and older have had a difficult time recovering. Many of Florida’s older residents live in retirement communities with manufactured homes, which are easily destroyed during a storm. And many are also on a fixed income and hurricane damage tests the limits of their already inflation-strained budgets. Senior citizens have physical limitations, and many have disabilities that prevent them from being able to evacuate or take care of themselves during a storm. Senior citizens living alone often have nowhere to turn during a crisis.

Sarasota County Commission chair Mike Moran has slashed funding for early learning and childcare programs, calling them “socialism.” Now running for county tax collector, his campaign emphasizes a focus on “making government accountable to the taxpayers.”But a ledger obtained by the Florida Trident through a public records request raises questions about Moran’s accountability. According to the records, Moran spent more than $36,000 of taxpayers’ money during a recent 18-month period on lavish trips to Las Vegas, New York City, and California, indulging in expensive steakhouses, wine, and tequila shots.

While Florida takes pride in its beaches, some beachgoers with disabilities find enjoying the sandy spaces difficult.Enter the EcoRover. The powered track chair debuted Thursday at Lido Beach in Sarasota County.

A travel advisory from the Florida Highway Patrol shortly before 6 p.m. Monday alerted drivers that Interstate 75 had been closed down temporarily in both directions due to a brush fire.