News Briefs

+ Teen drowns in Crystal Sands condo pool
The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 17-year-old boy, who was found in the pool at Crystal Sands Condominiums on Siesta Key early Friday morning.

One of the residents found the body of Garrett Mabrey and called the Sheriff’s Office at 3:25 a.m. Deputies suspect the death of the Columbus, Ind., teen was accidental, and investigators plan to perform an autopsy, according to a news release.

Mabrey’s family last saw the teen before midnight of the previous day. The family was staying at the condominium while on vacation.

+ Crosswalks functional but not complete
The Florida Department of Transportation’s plan to install six crosswalks on Midnight Pass Road has not been completed, but the project contractor recently finished laying white paint and installing flashing signs.
The final design will include raised crosswalks from the end of Beach Road to the intersection of Stickney Point Road and Midnight Pass Road.

The contractor started work Sept. 24 and is about halfway through the estimated timeline for completion.

+ STAC seeks public input on tree policy
Nov. 8, the Sarasota Tree Advisory Council (STAC) will host its monthly meeting in the Green Room at Twin Lakes Park and ask the public where its priorities are on all things related to trees. Following the meeting, the community can fill out a STAC survey that will give the council and Sarasota County Natural Resources a database to form policies.