About the Author: Suncoast Searchlight Staff
Is Sarasota Selby Gardens falling short of the city’s tree canopy cover goal?
Yes. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens’ downtown Sarasota campus is falling short of the city’s tree canopy coverage goal of 40%, according to American Forests. Tree coverage, which is the footprint of tree crowns when viewed [...]
HOA or Big Brother? Suncoast neighborhoods use controversial technology to fine speeders
A motorist driving a small Toyota hatchback turned into the Laurel Oak neighborhood off Bee Ridge Road in Sarasota County on an afternoon in late February. As the driver made his way through the [...]
Can speeding now be a criminal offense under new Florida law?
Yes. A new Florida law elevates severe speeding from a civil infraction to a criminal offense if the driver exceeds the speed limit by 50 mph or more, or is clocked going over 100 mph [...]
Is it legal in Florida to shoot a BB gun in your backyard?
Yes. Florida law generally allows adults to shoot BB guns on private property, including in their backyards, as long as no one is hurt and no property is damaged. But there are key restrictions. Children [...]
Had Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment to establish statewide high-speed rail?
Yes. A majority of Florida voters had approved a constitutional amendment to establish the Florida High-Speed Corridor during the 2000 general election. Nearly 53% of the state electorate voted supported the plan, including a majority [...]
Did the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office use students for active shooter drills at Pine View?
Yes. Students participated in active shooting drills at Pine View School this week. Roughly a dozen students participated in the drills, which took place from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on July 15 and 16, [...]
Does an old Florida farming law give certain landowners a significant tax break?
Yes. A Florida law allows land owners to receive tax breaks on property claimed for agriculture, even when it’s slated for new development. The 1959 Greenbelt law was designed to protect farmers, but a loophole [...]
Is Sarasota County responsible for maintaining Phillippi Creek?
Yes. Despite multiple denials, maintaining Phillippi Creek for stormwater conveyance falls under the purview of Sarasota County. According to a 1999 maintenance plan, the county has the explicit responsibility to remove sediment from public canals [...]
Hurricane Season has begun. Does the new FEMA director have experience managing natural disasters?
No. FEMA Director David Richardson has no prior experience managing responses to natural disasters. Richardson most recently was the assistant secretary for the Department of Homeland Security's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. Prior to [...]
Has Sarasota County lifted its burn ban as of mid-June 2025?
Yes. Sarasota County’s burn ban was lifted June 6 after the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) fell below 500 for seven consecutive days. As of June 10, the County’s KBDI was 300 to 399, and the [...]
Did sea turtle nesting at Anna Maria Island set a 40-year record in 2024?
Yes. The number of sea turtle nests on Anna Maria Island was the highest in at least 40 years. The final number of turtle nests laid in 2024 was 685, easily surpassing 543, the [...]
Florida state parks are protected under new law. Did Gov. DeSantis plan to develop on those lands?
Yes. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration planned to develop property at nine state parks last year. But on May 22, DeSantis signed into law the “State Park Preservation Act,” which bans such development. In [...]
