Sarasota County Emergency Management officials said they have coordinated with municipal and community partners to provide cold weather sheltering tonight, Feb. 23, for people in need due to the predicted drop in temperatures.

The Salvation Army – Center of Hope, 1400 10th St., Sarasota, will operate its cold weather plan tonight. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6 p.m. Guests may leave the campus after dinner and may return at 7 p.m. for shelter entry. Check-in ends at 8:30 p.m. Showers will be available from 7 to 8:30 p.m., and all guests must present a valid ID at check-in. Breakfast will be provided to-go in the morning, and all guests must depart campus by 6 a.m.

Breeze Routes 2, 7, 8 or 99, operating on normal schedules, will arrive within about two blocks of the Salvation Army on 10th Street.

The 100 Church, 14525 Tamiami Trail, North Port, will open a cold weather shelter tonight, Feb. 23. Please bring sleeping supplies. Breeze Route 9, operating on a normal schedule, will arrive within about one block of 100 Church. Those in the North Port service area could also use the Breeze OnDemand service.

Visit www.scgov.net/breeze for information on Breeze services. The Breeze Rider app can be used to check bus arrival times and plan routes.

Emergency Management officials remind residents that pets should not be left outside during cold weather. Those who need to be outside overnight or during the early morning hours are encouraged to dress in several warm layers and limit skin exposure to the wind. Sarasota County Fire Department officials advise using extreme caution when heating a home, as the risk of fire and carbon monoxide poisoning increases during very cold weather due to the improper use of heating devices. More heating safety tips can be found here: https://loom.ly/6yQ5ZEo

North Port, FL

6050 Porter Way, Sarasota, FL 34232

https://www.facebook.com/752270380278975/posts/1348722373967103

Sarasota County Schools Release March 2026 In Touch Issue

Sarasota County Schools released its March 2026 issue of In Touch, highlighting the districtwide Literacy for All initiative and features at Tuttle Elementary, Gocio Elementary and Riverview High School, plus student success stories, STEM Fair highlights and legislative updates, with sections including a Letter From the Superintendent and the School-Related Employee of the Year, and a link to the issue at https://bit.ly/March2026InTouch and the district website at www.sarasotacountyschools.net.

Sarasota County to Host Hurricane Preparedness Community Conversations

Sarasota County Emergency Services will host Community Conversations on Hurricane Preparedness with the NOAA NWS National Hurricane Center and other experts on Saturday, April 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Riverview High School, 1 Ram Way, with doors opening at 9 a.m. for exhibitors and presentations beginning at 10 a.m., and registration available via Eventbrite.

Venice Elementary aide named SCS Cares of the Month

Nicholas Magan, an ESE paraprofessional aide at Venice Elementary, was named Sarasota County Schools’ Cares of the Month for December 2025 after inviting a boy in a wheelchair to participate in basketball at Winter Wonderland.

E-bikes, e-motos raise safety concerns in Florida

Safety concerns over e-bikes and e-motos are rising in Florida, with Tampa General Hospital warning these high-speed vehicles can cause serious head and internal injuries during Brain Injury Awareness Month.

Walk to End Summer Hunger set for March 28

All Faiths Food Bank and Sarasota County Schools will host the Walk to End Summer Hunger on March 28 at Riverview High School in Sarasota, Fla., with doors opening at 7:30 a.m., the walk starting at 8:30 a.m., free entry for students, a $35 charge for adults, and an aim to raise awareness of summer food insecurity among children who rely on school meals.

Sarasota County Schools close for spring break March 16–20

Sarasota County Schools will be closed for Spring Break March 16–20, with a professional day for staff on March 23 and students returning March 24.

Sarasota County STEM Fair 2026 Shines With Student Innovation

Sarasota County Schools celebrated the 2026 STEM Fair, highlighting hundreds of student projects, more than 100 community judges and over 1,000 attendees as students spent months researching real‑world questions, designing investigations and presenting their findings.

Sarasota County Urges Spring Forward, Check Smoke Alarms

Sarasota County Emergency Services urged residents to spring forward this weekend, change their clocks and check smoke alarm batteries, noting smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years.

Sarasota History Day Organizers Thank Sponsors, Partners

Organizers of the Sarasota County History Day Contest thanked sponsors and partners, including the Education Foundation of Sarasota County as platinum sponsor and Chick-fil-A as the breakfast and lunch sponsor, noted involvement from the Sarasota County Government Department of Libraries and Historical Resources and the DAR, said Selby Public Library hosted the contest with volunteers and the DAR will co-sponsor lunch and host the March 26 award ceremony, and expressed gratitude for a community that supports students and schools.

Sarasota History Day Contest Recap

About 90 middle and high school students took part in the 2026 Sarasota County History Day Contest at Selby Public Library on Feb. 28, 2026, competing in website, exhibit, paper, performance and documentary categories under National History Day's Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History theme, with winners posted online and thanks extended to librarians, volunteers, sponsors, parents, schools and judges.