Daily Briefing: Investigation: Developers have close contact with Sarasota County officials

Business leaders behind much of the development in Sarasota enjoy a cozy, unmonitored relationship with local government officials and county staff. ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ ͏‌ Advertisement [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( | [Horoscopes]( [Read in browser]( The Daily Briefing YOUR MORNING NEWS ROUNDUP Mon Apr 29 2024 [Investigation: Developers have close contact with Sarasota County officials]( [The Siesta Key shopping village area.]( Business leaders behind much of the development in Sarasota enjoy a cozy, unmonitored relationship with local government officials and county staff. [READ MORE]( [Developers are asking the County Commission to allow two hotels on Siesta Key with increased density.]( [Four large hotel projects have been submitted for Siesta Key]( An investigation into developer contacts with Sarasota County officials was sparked by records requests involving Siesta Key hotels. [READ MORE]( [Sarasota County recently purchased a five-acre parcel off of East Venice Avenue and a 43-acre parcel near North Port with funds from its Environmentally Sensitive Land Preservation Program.]( [Parcels purchased by Sarasota County includes plan, wildlife habitat]( One parcel is a former home site that will provide some parking relief for Sleeping Turtles Preserve, the other is near Deer Prairie Creek Preserve. [READ MORE]( [Fat Rabbit restaurant and bar is upstairs at 1359 Main St. in downtown Sarasota. It is on top of OfKors Bakery and Main Street Creamery, with a sign hanging above the sidewalk between the two businesses, where guests can enter Fat Rabbit via stairs or elevator.]( [Restaurant billed as ‘upscale pub’ opening in downtown Sarasota in May]( A new restaurant and bar specializing in gourmet burgers and craft cocktails is opening next month on Main Street in downtown Sarasota. [READ MORE]( [Fireworks burst overhead as the Cardinal Mooney football team runs onto John Heath Field at Austin Smithers Stadium during a celebration of the Cougars' winning the Class 1S state title.]( [What to watch: Spring football starts next week, what are the top storylines]( From a handful of new head coaches at schools around the area, to Cardinal Mooney aiming to defend its state title, the prep gridiron won't go cold in 2024. [READ MORE]( Advertisement TRENDING STORIES 1 [Sarasota County cuts all funding to United Way over 211 helpline]( The Sarasota County Commissioners seemed to base the decision on United Way's 211 helpline listing Planned ... [READ MORE]( 2 [Restaurant billed as 'upscale pub' opening in downtown Sarasota in May]( A new restaurant and bar specializing in gourmet burgers and craft cocktails is opening next month on Main Street ... [READ MORE]( 3 [Pine View School rated No. 1 high school in Florida, new rankings show]( It rose one spot in U.S. News and World Report's Florida ranking but also fell on the publication's national list. [READ MORE]( 4 [2-year-old left with serious injuries in 5-car Sarasota crash, troopers say]( A driver in a sedan traveling south at 1:43 p.m. failed to stop at a red light as he traveled in the right turn ... [READ MORE]( 5 [Downtown Sarasota workforce housing targets Sheriff's Office employees]( After seeing personnel issues due to housing prices, Sheriff Kurt Hoffman is grateful, but recognizes Sarasota ... [READ MORE]( Advertisement Vote with Confidence This 7-day newsletter course will help you be an informed voter before Nov. 5. [SIGN UP NOW]( SUBSCRIBE TODAY Our Reporting. Your Stories. Full access to subscriber-only content on all devices. Share bonus subscription with a family member or friend. The universal eNewspaper, the digital version of our print paper, plus bonus monthly magazines and hundreds of local papers. Original reporting of our hometown teams, from high school sports to the pros. [Unlock news for $1]( [SUBSCRIBE TODAY]( [Newsletters]( | [eNewspaper]( | [Crosswords]( Follow Us Problem viewing email? [View in browser]( [Unsubscribe]( • [Manage Newsletters]( • [Terms of Service]( • [Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights]( • [Privacy Notice]( • [Do Not Sell My Info/Cookie Policy]( • [Feedback](