**Planning and restoration efforts for the historic Mira Mar building are moving forward**, cleared by the City Commission for demolition of structures behind the frontage to make way for twin condominium towers. This is part of a $30 million project to preserve the building, although a mediation under the Florida Land Use and Environmental Dispute Resolution Act is ongoing before final decisions.

**Florida Studio Theatre Receives $1 Million Anonymous Gift**: Florida Studio Theatre announced it has received an anonymous $1 million donation. The gift is intended to support the theatre’s programming and operations, highlighting significant community support for the arts in Sarasota.

**Seven deputies and a professional trapper safely wrangled and relocated a massive 14-foot, 600-pound alligator** that had settled in a residential area, disrupting nearby homes including triggering a front door alarm. This effort by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office was highlighted by video footage and social media posts sharing the humorous and unusual nature of the incident.

**Sarasota Police Expand City Camera System:** The Sarasota Police Department is growing its SRQ City View initiative, adding more security cameras in businesses and homes downtown. The program aims to improve public safety by allowing real-time monitoring and faster response to incidents, with financial incentives for participating businesses.

**Eleven people arrested in a holiday retail theft operation at the University Town Center (UTC) mall in Sarasota.** This three-day operation led by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office resulted in charges including misdemeanors and felonies, aimed at disrupting organized theft and deterring repeat offenders during the busy holiday shopping season.

**City designates ferry dock space at Bridge St. pier** – The city has designated ferry dock space at the Bridge Street pier, according to a report published today.

**La Musica Celebrates 40th Season**: La Musica, Sarasota’s chamber music festival, is opening its 40th season with a special performance of Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos by artists from the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

**New County Court Records Storage Facility Approved** – The Sarasota County Commission has approved a lease-to-purchase plan for a new 26,295-square-foot legal documents storage facility to be built closer to downtown. The facility will address longstanding logistical challenges with the current records storage location and is expected to reduce costs compared to previous proposals.

**Rip Current Warning for Coastal Areas** - A Rip Current Statement has been issued for coastal Manatee County, coastal Sarasota County, coastal Hillsborough County, and Pinellas County, effective from Friday 2:29 AM EST through Saturday 7:00 AM EST.

**Troopers are working to identify a driver killed in a fiery crash on I-75 near Venice, Sarasota County.** This is a recent significant incident impacting the area, reported on November 26, 2025.