Good morning Sarasota! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: 3rd Annual Harvest Festival and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Gilbane Begins Construction of $23M Dreamers Academy Middle School in Sarasota (constructionowners.com) — Construction is underway on the $23 million Dreamers Academy Middle School in Sarasota, which will add 49,500 square feet of classrooms, a gym, and support spaces for about 600 students. The expanded bilingual charter campus will also get upgraded parking, a new drop-off lane, and utility improvements, with opening targeted for August 2027.
2. Winners of the 18th Annual America's Farmers Market Celebration (morningagclips.com) — Sarasota residents can celebrate a big honor: the Sarasota Farmers Market has been named the number one farmers market in America, earning a $2,500 award and national recognition. Organizers say the 47-year-old Saturday tradition reflects generations of local shoppers, farmers, and small businesses who've helped make downtown Sarasota a true community gathering place.
3. Sarasota County Sheriff's Office to host seventh annual Halloween drive-thru event (sarasotareview.com) — Families in Sarasota can plan for a safe, drive-thru Halloween event at the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office headquarters on Oct. 24, with candy, costumes, K-9s and mounted patrols. The free, in-car experience runs from 6–8 p.m. on Cattleridge Boulevard, with entry between the Arby's and BP and no on-site parking available.
4. AI trash sorting, recycling robot debuts in Sarasota County (wfla.com) — Sarasota County has installed a new AI-powered recycling robot at Circular Services on North Orange Avenue to pull valuable cans and plastics from the waste stream before they hit the landfill. County solid waste leaders say the system can recover about a million extra containers and process up to 60 picks a minute, boosting recycling without replacing existing workers.
5. Week ending Oct. 3: Lowest regular gas in Sarasota County reaches $3.63 (sarasotareview.com) — Drivers in Sarasota County saw the lowest reported regular gas price hit $3.63 per gallon for the week ending Oct. 3, with an average of $4.01. The report breaks down prices across local communities like Venice, North Port and Siesta Key, and explains how global oil markets and tight gasoline supplies are keeping costs elevated.
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Ok Sarasota! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
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