Weekly Newsletter

Friday, March 7, 2025

Thank you for subscribing to Suncoast Searchlight's newsletter.

We’re here to keep you informed on the local issues that matter most. Each week, we share our latest in-depth reporting, along with the most important stories from around the region, so you stay connected and up to date with what’s happening in your community.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

A history of Phillippi Creek flooding casts shadow over Sarasota’s current stormwater woes

From the devastating floods of the early 1960s and 1990s to last year's record-breaking rains, residents living along Sarasota's Phillippi Creek have faced repeated destruction, with floodwaters overtaking homes and roads.

Despite measures like purchasing Celery Fields for flood protection and investing millions into stormwater infrastructure, rapid development in low-lying areas has only worsened the problem.

The Phillippi Creek watershed, spanning over 55 square miles, is clogged with sand, muck, and debris that hinder the natural flow of water, exacerbating flood risks. With no dredging in over two decades, the creek has accumulated sediment and trash, turning it into a dangerous bottleneck during heavy rains.

County officials are now considering a $60 million dredging project, but some fear it may not be enough to prevent future devastation. The flooding is not just a public safety issue—it also impacts the creek’s ecosystem, with rising pollution levels harming local fisheries and wildlife.

As Sarasota continues to grow, the flood risk increases, leaving thousands of homes in low-lying areas vulnerable to future storms.

NEW FROM SUNCOAST SEARCHLIGHT:

How New College has pursued its aggressive expansion through land acquisitions

New College of Florida is on an aggressive expansion path, with the recent proposal to transfer the Ringling Museum of Art to the college being just the latest in a series of attempted – and successful – land grabs fueling the institution's growth.

Under the leadership of Richard Corcoran, appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the college has shifted its focus from a progressive academic haven to a more conservative institution, all while rapidly expanding its physical footprint. From securing parcels like the Powel Crosley Estate to attempting to purchase land from the Sarasota-Bradenton Airport, New College is reshaping its campus and surrounding area.

However, these acquisitions have raised concerns among neighbors and local stakeholders who worry about the impact on Sarasota’s cultural heritage and green spaces. As the school pushes forward with its expansion, tensions are building over the future of Sarasota’s educational institutions and the growing influence of New College.

Suncoast Searchlight examined Sarasota and Manatee county property records to document how these acquisitions have, and could continue to, alter New College’s campus from one of the smallest in the Florida State University System to a larger, more influential institution with a growing presence in the region.

HERE'S WHAT ELSE WE RECOMMEND YOU READ THIS WEEK

Upcoming ‘Freedom Fest’ in Downtown Sarasota Will Feature Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo

FROM SARASOTA MAGAZINE: As Dr. Anthony Fauci prepares to speak in Sarasota on Monday, April 14, as part of the Ringling College Library Association’s Town Hall lecture series, another event is being planned nearby for that same day with a different perspective on public health. Organizers are calling it Freedom Fest, and it will feature Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. While a permit for the event has not yet officially been approved, if it does move forward, it will take place the same day as Fauci’s talk at Five Points Park in downtown Sarasota.

READ THE STORY HERE

Manatee County ends school zone speed camera program. But some are still active

FROM THE BRADENTON HERALD:

Just four months after beginning to use cameras to catch drivers speeding through local school zones, Manatee County officials have ended the controversial program. The Manatee County Commission originally voted in early 2024 to install dozens of cameras that helped deputies issue tickets to anyone driving 10 miles per hour over the speed limit in school zones. But commissioners took a step in February to cut back on tickets following resident complaints.

READ THE STORY HERE

Request to for funds to plan extension of two roads out of North Port raises concern

FROM THE SARASOTA HERALD-TRIBUNE

A proposal by the city of North Port to extend Price Boulevard west to River Road and Toledo Blade Boulevard north to Clark Road by crossing lands currently earmarked for preservation caught Sarasota County personnel unaware and raised concerns among environmentalists.

READ THE STORY HERE

Sarasota hospital and nonprofits join forces to counter OB/GYN shortage

FROM WSLR: If you are pregnant in the United States, it’s increasingly hard to find an obstetrician to help you through the process and birth. The situation on the Suncoast is no different. But the local public hospital has now partnered with a network of nonprofits and state institutions. One of the outcomes: As of today, you can call a hotline—917-MOMS—and a nurse-navigator will take you by the hand.

READ/LISTEN TO THE STORY HERE

'Miracle' saves life of young equestrienne

FROM THE VENICE GONDOLIER: Ryan Haselden was doing something she loves on Feb. 19, her 14th birthday — riding her horse in competition. Then, unexpectedly, she wasn't.

READ THE STORY HERE

DID YOU MISS LAST WEEK'S NEWSLETTER?

HERE'S WHAT WE SHARED:

A state loophole is costing Sarasota and Manatee counties millions in lost revenue by allowing developers to tap a decades-old law meant to preserve agriculture and shrink the taxes on pastures they intend to pave over.

To better understand how developers in the region are leveraging a loophole in Florida’s Greenbelt law, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of business registries, property records, real estate deeds, and tax bills to assess the impact on local government. Below, we outline the methodology behind our findings.

From the onset of Debby through the immediate aftermath of Milton, businesses across the Suncoast suffered $187 million in direct revenue losses, Suncoast Searchlight found.

Thanks to the generous support of our sponsors and donors, all our content is freely available on our website and shared widely through our media partners.

Suncoast Searchlight is a 501c3 nonprofit news organization whose mission is to produce investigative and explanatory journalism that serves and empowers the residents of Florida’s Suncoast region (Sarasota, Manatee, and DeSoto counties). We shine a light on critical issues affecting our community. Through independent reporting and collaboration with diverse media partners, we foster transparency, accountability and an informed citizenry, ensuring that all voices are heard and that the public has access to the information they need to drive meaningful change.

CONTACT US:

Suncoast Searchlight

PO Box 99 Sarasota, FL 34230

(941)724-4450