About the Author: Derek Gilliam | Suncoast Searchlight
As LGBTQ+ rights face setbacks, Suncoast elders reflect on pride and perseverance
Dressed in a glittery rainbow caftan and knee-high boots, Darcel Stevens strutted across the dance floor at Silver Pride this month in downtown Sarasota, lip-syncing to Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) a [...]
Power and Profit: Developers build the dream, homeowners pay the debt
Tens of thousands of Suncoast homeowners are spending more money each year to pay off bonds tied to independent special districts than in property taxes toward their actual local governments. Real estate developers are turning [...]
Challenging new development in Sarasota? Be ready to spend a small fortune
In a city defined by its coastal charm and modest skyline, a heated battle over a proposed luxury high-rise has dragged on for more than two years — and cost its opponents well over [...]
Florida officials warn: Buyer beware as developer districts spread across the Suncoast
As more new special development districts break ground across the Suncoast, area officials warn they could mean higher tax bills and traffic congestion for those buying into these communities. From state lawmakers to county [...]
Sarasota commissioners approve paying Arroyo’s legal fees in ethics probe
Former Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo | Photo provided by the City of Sarasota Sarasota taxpayers will cover the $10,285 legal bill racked up by former City Commissioner Erik Arroyo while defending [...]
Power and profit: Developers gained government status, then got bonds to build big
A Naples developer had big plans in 2022 to bring more than 850 homes to a rural area of DeSoto County, betting the region’s unprecedented housing demand would continue stretching further east into Arcadia. [...]
Ex-commissioner wants city of Sarasota to cover legal fees after ethics complaints
Former Sarasota City Commissioner Erik Arroyo is asking the city to reimburse more than $10,000 in legal fees he spent fighting ethics complaints that had not previously been reported. Three local residents — Harrison [...]
Gran Paradiso battle reveals how developers control Florida’s fastest-growing communities
Streets lined with lush landscaping wind through what was once open ranchland, now transformed into a luxury community. At the entrance, royal palms rise in perfect formation, flanking an ornate Spanish Mediterranean guard house. [...]
New College communications director charged for exposure of sexual organs – again
Fred Piccolo Jr., the director of marketing and media for New College of Florida and a longtime state political powerbroker, was arrested Tuesday by the Manatee County Sheriff’s office and charged with exposure of [...]
Sarasota, Manatee home values tumble, marking one of the biggest drops nationwide
Angie Ramos is concerned. The Coldwell Banker Realtor has five listings that have sat for months. Buyer interest is at a minimum. And the stock market has been turbulent. “We are just flooded with [...]
Passions run high as Sarasota Commission hears public comments on new performing arts center
Dozens of Sarasota residents filled the City Commission chambers Monday, speaking out on a proposed performing arts center during the meeting’s public comment period. The project, which was detailed in a Suncoast Searchlight report [...]
Questions cloud future of Van Wezel and new Sarasota performing arts center at Bay Park
Sarasota’s Bay Park project was conceived more than a decade ago as an ambitious vision to turn 53 acres surrounding the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall into a sprawling public park that would reshape [...]
