Sarasota tightens to one-day watering under Phase III shortage
Plus a new city manager, a Gulf Gate pizza rebrand, and summer library kickoff events.
Sarasota tightens to one-day watering under Phase III shortage
The Southwest Florida Water Management District declared a Modified Phase III 'Extreme' Water Shortage as drought deepens, holding all residents — including private well users — to one-day-per-week watering. Unless stricter city or county hours apply, watering runs 12:01 a.m.–4 a.m. or 8 p.m.–11:59 p.m., and properties under one acre may use only one window. The rules cover Sarasota County and neighboring counties from April 3 through July 1, 2026, against a regional rainfall deficit of 13.7 inches. Home car washing is allowed only on the lawn-watering day with a shutoff nozzle, restaurants serve water only on request, and aesthetic fountains are capped at four hours a day (City of Sarasota).
North Port opens annexation talks for 3,146-acre Winchester Ranch
The North Port City Commission unanimously approved a resolution June 9 to begin annexation talks with Sarasota County for 3,146 acres in Winchester Ranch, a step toward bringing roughly 14,000 acres of the former Thomas Ranch into city limits. Wellen Park's John Luczynski said Winchester Ranch, once envisioned with close to 9,000 homes, is now nearer 6,500, and combined Wellen Park and Winchester Ranch build-out could reach 22,500 homes by 2040 — about 250 more than Wellen Park alone. Commissioner Demetrius Petrow pressed for more infrastructure detail before the vote (Sarasota Herald-Tribune).
Gulf Gate's Solorzano's becomes Costello's Neighborhood Pizza
Kenny Palin, the general manager of Solorzano's Pizza, bought the flagship Gulf Gate restaurant at 6574 Superior Ave. and the Longboat Key location at 5610 Gulf of Mexico Drive from the founder, renaming both Costello's Neighborhood Pizza for his grandmother, Margaret 'Peggy' Costello. The Gulf Gate shop runs 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m.–midnight Friday through Sunday, with a menu spanning pizza, slices, salads, garlic bread and knots, calzones, chicken wings, and pasta (Sarasota Herald-Tribune).
Sarasota Farmers Market runs Saturdays downtown
The Sarasota Farmers Market is open year-round on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., billing itself as 'An Opportunity for Community,' with featured vendors including The Pretzel King, O & A Coffee and Supply, Mayas Mystical Treasures, and TWEEDS (Sarasota Farmers Market).
Summer Learning Kickoff: Potato Party at the North Sarasota Library
The Summer Learning Kickoff: Potato Party runs Wednesday, June 10 at 1 p.m. in the Dr. Edward James II Meeting Room at Betty J. Johnson North Sarasota Library, a family event with crafts, STEM activities, a food truck, and more (Sarasota County Libraries).
Elsie Quirk Library hosts a Summer Learning Kick-Off Party
The Summer Learning Kick-Off Party comes to Elsie Quirk Library on Thursday, June 11 at 10:45 a.m. (Sarasota County Libraries).
Art Center Sarasota lecture traces the Sarasota School of architecture
Art Center Sarasota is hosting 'Sarasota School: The Intersection of Architecture and Art,' a lecture with Morris 'Marty' Hylton III on how Sarasota School designers turned modernism into a regional expression shaped by climate, landscape, light, and creativity, citing architects such as Victor Lundy and Carl Abbott (Art Center Sarasota).
Karie Friling sworn in as Sarasota's first woman city manager
The City Commission unanimously approved an employment contract with Karie Friling, who started as City Manager on Friday, May 29, and is the first woman to hold the role. She emerged from a field of 80 applicants and five finalists who took part in a two-day interview and public engagement process. Friling previously led the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County and its 500 employees serving more than 950,000 residents, stepping in after Marlon Brown's October 2024 retirement announcement and interim service by Doug Jeffcoat, Dave Bullock, and Jennifer Jorgensen (City of Sarasota).
Commission Reporter Jamese Johnson named May Employee of the Month
Jamese Johnson, the city's Commission Reporter, was named May Employee of the Month for preparing minutes for every City Commission meeting, attending each one, helping maintain public records, training staff on Granicus, and taking on work beyond her regular duties (City of Sarasota).