Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Registered Sex Offender Sentenced For Trying To Lure Sarasota Girl Into His Car: Police

Spotted on the Sarasota calendar: Sarasota Tiger Bay Club: Sarasota County Constitutional Officers

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Coffee in hand, Sarasota? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Sarasota girl's quick actions help put repeat sex offender in prison
  • How will Sarasota's new $20M flood projects protect your neighborhood?
  • How Sarasota's school-zone cameras slashed speeding by more than 70%.

Also on today's calendar: Sarasota Tiger Bay Club: Sarasota County Constitutional Officers and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the bartender say to the jumper cables when they walked in? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Wednesday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 88 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Thursday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, temps: high: 88, low: 75.
  • Friday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m., with a high of 90 and low of 76 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Registered Sex Offender Sentenced For Trying To Lure Sarasota Girl Into His Car: Police (patch.com) — Sarasota readers are learning that a 70-year-old registered sex offender has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and 15 years of probation for repeatedly trying to lure a 13-year-old Sarasota girl into his SUV. Police say the girl's quick 911 call, video recording, and identification helped uncover prior similar offenses and additional victims, leading investigators and prosecutors to secure a lengthy sentence and remove him from local streets.
   

2. Sarasota officials OK $20M for flood and storm resilience projects (businessobserverfl.com) — Sarasota County has approved more than $20 million for major storm resilience work, including flood prevention on St. Armands Key and expanded water storage at Celery Fields. Funded largely through federal Resilient SRQ dollars and local surtax revenue, these upgrades aim to protect neighborhoods, key evacuation routes, and low-lying areas that flooded heavily during Tropical Storm Debby.
   

3. Sarasota police report 70% drop in school zone speeding after implementing safety program (fox13news.com) — Sarasota drivers are seeing over 70% fewer school-zone speeding violations thanks to new safety cameras monitoring speeds near city elementary schools. The system automatically tickets vehicles going more than 10 mph over the limit during school hours, with fines starting at $100 and escalating if unpaid, so local commuters and parents should be extra mindful around campuses.
   

4. Sarasota County Sheriff's Office executes warrants at two illegal gambling establishments (sarasotareview.com) — Sarasota County deputies recently raided two suspected illegal gambling businesses on North Lockwood Ridge Road, seizing a total of 76 slot machines. No employees were on-site during the searches, but misdemeanor charges have been filed and prosecutors are reviewing potential gambling-house cases, signaling possible further enforcement in the area.
   

5. New Data Shows Sarasota-Manatee Is Changing—Except When It Comes to Age (sarasotamagazine.com subscription) — Sarasota County now has one of the oldest populations in the nation, with nearly 39% of residents 65 or older and a dependency ratio showing more age-defined dependents than working-age adults. New Census data and rankings highlight a region that's simultaneously attracting jobs and younger workers while facing growing pressure on health care, caregiving, and public services.
   

📸 Around Sarasota

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Sarasota

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Wilson-Wood Foundation funds early education for area families —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Tickets now on sale for All Faiths Food Bank's Bowls of Hope fundraiser —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Sertoma Kids, Inc. to offer free hearing screenings for children on September 15 —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Blonde, a dog who went missing in Sarasota, FL, has been safely reunited with their family after 15 hours, 20 minutes. Message from Owner: "Please… (Nextdoor McIntosh Rd)
  • Update: Pet Reunited
    Koda, a dog who went missing in Sarasota, FL, has been safely reunited with their family after 1 days, 8 hours. Message from Owner: "He was lost… (Nextdoor Arlington Park)
  • Whole Foods Market, Inc. posted a job opening for Produce Team Member (Clerk, Floor Service) - Part Time in Sarasota. Apply here.
  • Disabledperson, Inc posted a job opening for Guest Services Coordinator at Sun Communities in Sarasota, Florida in Sarasota. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sarasota here.

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: Don't you 2 start anything (Thank you Mary L. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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