Opossums Released after Sarasota Traffic Stop
Sarasota police said on April 20 at 10:07 p.m. they stopped a vehicle operating without headlights near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and U.S. 301. The driver, a habitual traffic offender, was taken into custody after telling officers he had unusual passengers in the bed of his truck.
Officers found an opossum and her three babies clinging to a trap in the bed of the truck. With guidance from the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office Animal Services, the opossums were released back to the wild.
“Thank you to these officers for showing that we're here for everyone, no matter how big or small,” the department said.
| Apr 22, 2026 at 2:20 AM | Police |
Sarasota Officials Urge Caution After Storm
Sarasota County Emergency Services urged residents during Hurricane Prep Week 2026 to wait until it’s safe to go outside, stay clear of downed power lines, Turn Around, Don’t Drown in floodwaters, use generators only outside and 20 feet from the home, and stay indoors until officials say it’s safe to leave, with additional guidance at scgov.net/beprepared and FloridaDisaster.org/Guide.
| May 8, 2026 at 8:12 AM | EMS |
Registration closes at noon for Sarasota County Economic Outlook
Registration closes at noon for Sarasota County's Economic Outlook on May 14, featuring Bemetra Simmons, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, and Michelle Dennard, vice president and regional executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, with more than 350 business and community leaders expected to attend.
| May 8, 2026 at 7:00 AM | Business |
Sarasota County Leads Operation Readiness, Debris, Hurricane Prep
On May 6, Sarasota County Emergency Management led Operation Readiness efforts with Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources to host a County Staging Area Workshop highlighting Twin Lakes Parks improvements for disaster operations, while the Debris Management Branch held a Debris Workshop for county stakeholders and the department also gave a hurricane-preparedness seminar to CAI West.
| May 8, 2026 at 2:20 AM | EMS |
Sarasota police thank teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week
The Sarasota Police Department thanked teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week 2026, saying "Thank you, teachers" and noting its collaboration with Sarasota County Schools.
| May 7, 2026 at 1:25 PM | Police |
Sarasota County Urges Residents to Shelter Indoors During Storm
Sarasota County Emergency Services urged residents to stay indoors in a safe interior room away from windows, avoid downed power lines, rely on multiple weather alerts, and only leave when officials deem it safe as Hurricane Prep Week 2026 continues, with guidance at scgov.net/beprepared and FloridaDisaster.org/ShelterInPlace.
| May 7, 2026 at 8:06 AM | EMS |
Sarasota hosts last-chance economic outlook event
Registration closes Friday at noon for a last-chance Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County event on where the economy is headed and how it could affect organizations, featuring Bemetra Simmons, CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, and Michelle Dennard, vice president and regional executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, Jacksonville Branch.
| May 7, 2026 at 8:01 AM | Business |
Sarasota County Declares National EMS Week at May 5 Meeting
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners declared May 17–23 National EMS Week at its May 5 meeting, as Sarasota County Fire Department personnel logged 67,504 total calls for service (including 54,418 EMS calls) and transported 38,298 EMS patients in fiscal year 2025, and officials thanked EMTs and paramedics, saying, "We are eternally grateful to all the EMTs and paramedics at Sarasota County Fire Department and throughout Sarasota County for all they do to care for our community."
| May 6, 2026 at 10:40 AM | EMS |
Sarasota's Economic Outlook draws 350 leaders
More than 350 business and community leaders are expected at Sarasota County’s Economic Outlook on May 14, featuring Bemetra Simmons, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Partnership, and Michelle Dennard, vice president and regional executive at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, with registration closing May 8.
| May 6, 2026 at 8:01 AM | Business |
Sarasota County Fire Department adds photos; Dendy has five years.
Sarasota County Emergency Services added two photos to its reports, and the Sarasota County Fire Department lists firefighter-paramedic Kimberly Dendy as having five years of service.
| May 5, 2026 at 2:01 PM | EMS |
Sarasota County Proclaims Economic Development Week
The Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed May 4–8, 2026 as Economic Development Week, with support from the Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County, to recognize more than 100,000 global and local economic development professionals and the public-private collaboration driving sustainable growth as the International Economic Development Council marks its 100th anniversary.
| May 5, 2026 at 10:03 AM | Business |