About the Author: Suncoast Searchlight Staff
Are Sarasota deputies required to act on disturbance complaints?
No. Even if residents believe a noise is too disruptive, deputies need probable cause to enforce a noise ordinance in unincorporated Sarasota County, including Siesta Key Beach. Sarasota has both sound and noise ordinances. The [...]
Will Manatee County’s new trash plan cost some residents more money?
Yes. Some services will cost residents more money once Manatee County changes its trash collection strategy on Oct. 6. The monthly waste collection fee of $23.65 isn’t rising, and residents will receive a new larger [...]
Is the Suncoast firefly population going extinct?
No. Fireflies have faced threats of habitat loss and light pollution, but they aren’t going extinct. Instead, they are adapting to other regions with more suitable environments. Fireflies light up to attract mates, so they [...]
Does the city of Sarasota have regulations in place for VEO scooters?
Yes. There are a few requirements you must meet before operating a VEO electric scooter or bike in Sarasota. You need to be at least 18 years old, which is older than the state law [...]
Does Sarasota prohibit wearing a mask at protests?
No. There is no city ordinance in Sarasota that prohibits wearing a mask during a protest. State statutes also do not regulate the specific act of wearing a mask, although there are rules governing an [...]
As hurricane season ramps up, can Trump unilaterally ‘phase out’ FEMA?
No. A president alone cannot disband the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through executive orders. President Donald Trump has made comments about “phasing out” FEMA after the 2025 hurricane season. He’s considered reassigning disaster relief [...]
There’s a helicopter spraying pesticides in Manatee County for mosquito control. Is it safe?
Yes. Spraying pesticides over largely-populated areas is safe, according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines. Christopher Lesser, director of the Manatee County Mosquito Control District, said the county uses EPA-registered pesticides for aerial mosquito control such [...]
Floridians are preparing for a hot summer. Can pouring hot water down your AC drain line unclog it?
Yes. As homeowners and renters prepare for the scorching Florida summer, pouring hot water down the AC drain line can help alleviate minor clogs. The drain line is a white PVC pipe on the [...]
Do you have to “lease” an additional trash bin under Sarasota County’s new waste contract?
Yes. If Sarasota County residents want more than one bin to store excess trash, they’ll need to pay a monthly fee. Sarasota County started a new contract in late March with two vendors [...]
Is Florida’s legislative support of private schools hurting public school funding?
Yes. Florida passed a law two years ago to promote and grow charter schools, which, in turn, has led to a drop in public school funding. The Florida Policy Institute estimated the state spent [...]
Can drivers get a speeding ticket in Sarasota school zones when the lights aren’t flashing?
Yes. Although motorists can get a ticket without the flashing signs, the speed limit being enforced depends on the time of day. When lights are flashing in a school zone [...]
Sarasota residents complained the county’s tap water tasted like ‘pool water.’ Was it safe to drink?
Yes. Though Sarasota residents might have been wary of drinking the funky-tasting tap water these past couple of weeks, it was perfectly safe to drink. The explanation behind the [...]
