Observe This: Today's Top Stories

FPL busts myths at SKA meeting

→ Representatives from Florida Power & Light Co. spoke at the monthly meeting of the Siesta Key Village Association to temper health and privacy concerns about the firm's smart meters.

Ahead of the Florida Power & Light Co. plans to install smart meters in Sarasota County, a project manager representing the electric company took questions and presented a video to the Siesta Key Association to ease resident concerns about the switch.

Project Manager Steve Anderson led the session, which proceeded with near silence from SKA members to accommodate quiet computer speakers supporting the video. He explained that FPL expects to ... [click here to read on!]

Furst won't appeal Marina Jack decision

→ After Marina Jack filed a lawsuit to dispute Sarasota County Property Appraiser Bill Furst's claim the restaurant owes $1.5 million in back property taxes, Marina Jack could appeal the ruling.

Sarasota County taxpayers don’t have to worry about Property Appraiser Bill Furst appealing a judge’s ruling on a tax dispute lawsuit between the property appraiser’s office and Marina Jack restaurant owner Bob Soran. However, there’s a strong possibility Soran will appeal.

If Soran chooses to appeal the case, ... [click here to read on!]

Northwest Sarasota Master Plan's funding nixed for now

→ The majority of Sarasota city commissioners feel it's not the right time for a Northwest Sarasota master plan and land-use study.

Sarasota city commissioners like Vice Mayor Terry Turner’s idea for a Northwest Sarasota master plan and land-use study, but they don’t support a $500,000 study for the economically depressed North Trail corridor at this time.

Last month, Turner said that the only way to revitalize the Northwest Sarasota U.S. 41 corridor is ... [click here to read on!]

Triathletes to take over Siesta Key

→ About 800 triathletes are expected to compete in the Florida International Triathlon this Saturday on Siesta Key.

About 800 triathletes are expected to compete in the Florida International Triathlon this Saturday on Siesta Key.

The area’s largest charitable triathlon is in its seventh year; and this year, it is being run by volunteers from the local Sarasota Storm Triathlon Club.

The race is set to start at 7 a.m., but there could be a short delay, because Mote Marine experts must first mark the newest turtle nests. International triathlon participants will begin with a 1,500-meter swim in the Gulf of Mexico, followed by a 26-mile bicycle portion that takes them on two-loop course on paved Key roads. The competition ends with a ... [click here to read on!]