Daily
Sarasota
Thursday, April 2nd, 2026
Good morning, Sarasota. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 2nd of April.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ Sarasota County cut the ribbon on a 1.5-mile parallel track for Legacy Trail on March 31 at the Pompano Trailhead (601 S. Pompano Ave.) to separate pedestrians from riders. The project, funded by a state grant and local matching funds, is the first phase of a 4.18-mile widening plan. Observer
- ➤ Dan Minor, pastor at Harvest Church and CEO of Harvest House, leads local efforts to expand affordable housing + mental health services for locals. His nonprofit, which already helped thousands, is developing Lakeview Village in north Sarasota with $2.5 million in funding to aid people with unstable incomes. Sarasota Magazine
- ➤ Easterseals SW Florida raised over $1 million at its 80th Anniversary Gala on April 1 to support local children, adults and families living with disabilities. The event featured dinner by Michael's On East, remarks from journalist Will Reeve and a musical performance by violinist Adrian Anantawan. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Kurō Sushi has opened on Lakewood Ranch’s Main Street, offering small plates like spicy tuna toast, grilled skewers cooked over a Japanese robata grill, inventive sushi rolls, and a multi-course omakase that changes nightly. Restaurateur Daniel Dokko adds the 120-seat venue to his portfolio. Sarasota Magazine
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ The Sarasota Film Festival will run April 10–19 across downtown venues such as New College and Ringling, featuring 47 films including world and Florida premieres, with a Q&A session featuring Gene Simmons and Renny Harlin for the opening night film Deep Water. Observer
- ➤ As Artemis II launch nears, locals can revisit space movies filmed at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral. Films such as Apollo 13 and First Man showcase Florida locations (sites that add authenticity) while the community anticipates this historic mission. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Florida registered over 250,000 new EVs in 2025, making it the state's second-biggest market after California despite automakers slowing plans after the $7,500 federal tax credit ended. Several EV fires during recent hurricanes prompted reminders for owners to park vehicles on higher ground. Sarasota Magazine
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Since 2000, the Environmentally Sensitive Lands Protection Program has conserved nearly 77,000 acres of open space in Sarasota County & helped protect water quality and wildlife habitat amid rapid development. Voters will decide in November whether to extend the program until 2049 to secure these lands. Sarasota Magazine
- ➤ The Southwest Florida Management District declared a phase 3 extreme water shortage after a 13.7-inch rainfall deficit led to lower water levels, tightening once-per-week irrigation limits. Residents must water lawns on assigned days—Monday for addresses ending in 0 or 1, Tuesday for 2 or 3, etc.—during permitted hours. Observer
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ TSA reported that wait times at Tampa and Sarasota airports were under 15 minutes on April 1 & officials advise travelers to arrive two hours early as Easter travel picks up. Sarasota Herald-Tribune
LIFESTYLE NEWS
- ➤ Ganges Restaurant and Bar offers high-end Indian dishes with artful plating and tableside dessert service. Located in a quiet shopping center near The Meadows on Ringwood Meadow, the restaurant serves creative items like palak paneer lasagna and Lotus Kaapi-Misu. Sarasota Magazine
- ➤ Sarasota retailers showcase six chic outdoor finds for patios this April — including Hans Hopfer’s Mah Jong sofa at Roche Bobois, smart lighting from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, a concrete fire pit by Jake Brady, a bamboo birdhouse by Birdfy, a table from Couture Jardin and a dual cantilever umbrella at Home Resource. Sarasota Magazine
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Element House in Oyster Bay Landings is one of the nation’s top-rated sustainable homes built by a Sarasota couple who applied local design ideas to blend modern efficiency with nature. The home uses energy-saving windows & water-recycling systems to balance comfort and care for its waterfront setting. Sarasota Magazine
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Easter Brunch Buffet
10 a.m. - 3 p.m. — PIER 22 — $70 adults, $25 children under 10 — Delight in a festive brunch buffet featuring seasonal favorites and stunning waterfront views.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Entry details not provided — Enjoy an evening of live music with local talent Bri Rivera, a standout in the Sarasota music scene.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Experience the vibrant sounds of Ryan Faraday, a talented guitarist and vocalist, as he showcases his musical prowess.
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Ally Venable Band Performance
7-11 p.m. — Encore Live — Ticket prices may vary — Experience the powerful soulful voice and rock'in blues guitar talents of Texas-born Ally Venable.
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Mystical Visions Concert
6-10 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy a night of classic and contemporary hits from a talented female fronted pop/rock cover band.
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Sarasota Cars & Coffee
8-10 a.m. — The Mall at University Town Center — $10 for show cars, free for spectators — Check out unique cars while enjoying coffee and supporting a local charity during Earth Month.
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Bri Rivera Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy a lively evening with Bri Rivera, a talented musician from Puerto Rico, showcasing her musical journey through local tunes.
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Ryan Faraday Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Details TBA — Experience live music from guitarist and songwriter Ryan Faraday, an engaging performer from Sarasota.
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Scott Curts Live Performance
5-9 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Free entry — Enjoy an eclectic mix of music from accomplished singer-songwriter Scott Curts alongside his canine companion, Apollo.
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Mystical Visions Concert
6-10 p.m. — Blue Sunshine Patio Bar & Grill — Enjoy the tunes of a female fronted pop/rock cover band playing hits from the 60’s to today.
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