Sarasota County

Thousands of sea turtle nests will hatch in Southwest Florida throughout this summer and fall, so if you see a local beach swarmed with hatchlings turtle scientists say to leave the baby turtles alone, move off the beach, and certainly do not help the animals

Sea turtles are packing Southwest Florida beaches with nests

Tom Bayles

This year's sea turtle nesting season is going great, with a leatherback on Sanibel and early nesting throughout the region. But few turtle lovers forget last season when early signs were record-breaking but the season's results were heart-breaking

New diverging diamond interchange at I-75 and Clark Road in Sarasota.

Transportation

Diverging diamond interchange at I-75, Clark Road in Sarasota set to open June 2 after final adjustment

WGCU Staff

The Florida Department of Transportation will make final configurations on the diverging diamond interchange at I-75 and State Road 72/Clark Road on June 1 in anticipation of it opening to traffic on June 2.The final implementation of the interchange requires closing all interchange ramps and Clark Road between Catamaran Drive and Queensbury Boulevard to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, from 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

Cultural Affairs

Saving a Cornerstone of Black History in Sarasota: The Colson Hotel

Bryant Monteilh

The historic Colson Hotel in Sarasota was once a welcoming place for Black travelers during Jim Crow. Now, the building is facing demolition.

The above map shows abnormally dry conditions across the middle portion of the state. The conditions have lead to a burn ban currently in effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards. The U.S. Drought Monitor depicts the location and intensity of drought across the country using 5 classifications: Abnormally Dry (D0), showing areas that may be going into or are coming out of drought, and four levels of drought (D1–D4). The U.S. Drought Monitor is a joint effort of the National Drought Mitigation Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. https://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasotahttps://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasotahttps://www.drought.gov/states/florida/county/sarasota

Weather

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

WGCU Staff

A burn ban is currently in effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.Information from the Sarasota County Fire Department said that under Sarasota County’s burn ban ordinance (Sarasota County Code Section 58-2), burn bans automatically go into effect countywide and prohibit almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500.

Elections

Voting rules have changed. Are you prepared?

Cary Barbor

Voting Rights organizations held a press briefing today to help Florida voters prepare for the coming elections.