Sarasota

The national push would see roughly 300 federal employees placed in flexible office spaces across 90 cities

The musicians picked up some new fans recently when they played their third Shred Stock in the parking lot at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall in Sarasota.

The city of Sarasota saved about 85 trees at its biannual event Shred Stock this past weekend.

Nine artists have filed claims against the city of Sarasota, alleging their rights were violated when officials removed pavement art in response to a state directive from the Florida Department of Transportation.

Its boundaries would stretch beyond the 3-million-square-foot UTC shopping corridor, reaching from University Park in Manatee County south to Fruitville Road in Sarasota County, all west of Interstate 75.

Some homeowners say the negotiations were conducted with too little transparency and fear the deal gives the developer too much control over land long seen as the heart of the community.

A Sarasota County judge dismissed a legal challenge to a controversial Siesta Key land swap, clearing the way for a 5,000-square-foot home to be built on a county-owned parcel originally purchased for preservation.

While community donations and volunteers met the immediate surge in need, advocates say the emergency response highlighted deeper gaps, including limited shelter access, enforcement of anti-camping laws and a shortage of affordable housing that leaves many people cycling between the streets and short-term aid.

The suspect had a romantic relationship with one of the Fort Lauderdale victims, who was connected to the victims in the second shooting in Sarasota.

A couple of college challenges are in the spotlight. We get an update on the New College-USF controversy and learn about the growing concern of student food insecurity.

In an update Jan. 27, the county said the dredging of high spots began in December and is going well, but the next stage could be delayed until the end of this year as it seeks more environmental permits.

Sarasota’s effort to directly develop affordable housing downtown — an unprecedented, city-led plan championed by former City Manager Marlon Brown — faltered after the city spent more than $7 million on land without a finalized construction budget or financing strategy and as anticipated state and philanthropic funding did not come through.