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Friday, July 18th, 2025

Holmes Beach set a new rule this summer that bans holes deeper than one foot and the use of metal shovels on its beaches to protect beachgoers and sea turtles — Commissioner Carol Whitmore noted the change follows near misses and past hazards caused by deep, uncovered holes. Local residents support using children’s plastic shovels instead of metal ones to keep the beaches safe.

Friday, July 18th, 2025

On July 10, the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office arrested 25-year-old Robert Kovacs-Strada— a door-to-door solar panel salesman— after he allegedly insulted and physically assaulted a resident who used her walking stick to defend herself, and he bonded out and will appear in court on August 5.

Friday, July 18th, 2025

Former Fire Captain Sergio Curvelo, representing Sarasota County, drove 12 hours with his search dog to help scan the Guadalupe River grids in Kerr County, Texas after a severe flash flood on Fourth of July weekend — he said it was the worst natural disaster he had ever seen. Local volunteer Mike Halligan also sent boxes of supplies — fresh socks, bug spray, band aids, and sunscreen — to help with ongoing rescue efforts in Texas.