Good morning, Sarasota.

Second Heart Homes — a local nonprofit supporting homeless adults — plans to add three new houses every year to serve its 86 residents in 14 houses across Sarasota and Manatee.

The organization recently received a $400,000 donation and hired new staff to support its growth.

Sarasota County is renovating its historic Snook Haven landmark as part of an $8.75 million effort to expand the site into a 45-acre park — including a new concession building, bandshell, boat ramp and kayak launch — with a ribbon cutting scheduled in October.

GEICO filed two additional auto insurance rate decreases for 1.3 million Florida drivers on Aug.

6. The insurer has lowered premiums by over $500 million in the past two years and recently expanded its Tampa campus to boost its presence.

Ivan Arestov, who grew up in the circus, is featured in the 2026 edition of Ripley’s Believe It or Not (for his ultra wheel act that jumps across four unicycles without a seat or frame).

The book will be available Sept. 8 in local bookstores and online.

Business owners & commercial property representatives criticized recent parking enforcement changes at a meeting on Aug.

3, saying the adjustments drove customers away to free parking options while officials said further meetings on Aug. 24 and Aug. 31 at City Hall will seek a balanced approach amid economic challenges.

Sarasota County was ranked among the 10 most hurricane-vulnerable counties nationwide by a LawnStarter analysis that used federal data on hurricane risk and past storm impacts.

Neighboring Manatee County placed just behind at No. 11.

The National Hurricane Center is tracking two tropical systems (Invest 92L and Invest 93L) in the Atlantic that could become tropical depressions or storms later this week; Florida residents are advised to stay updated as impacts are expected to remain minimal.

Longboat Key public works schedules summer projects to finish road repaving and park renovations before winter.

Completed work includes park sod replacement and road medians refresh, while a Bayfront pickleball court is resurfaced and seawall repairs will begin Aug. 17 plus a wastewater pipeline update awaits permits.

Rep. Bill Conerly’s HB 1019 took effect on July 1 and bans PFAS-containing firefighting foam while requiring public entities (using over 25,000 gallons a day) to test for forever chemicals.

The law aims to reduce exposure risks for firefighters and protect drinking water in the area.

Between July 27 and 31, Longboat Key and nearby communities recorded top residential real estate sales, including a record $18.99 million sale on Juan Anasco Drive (featuring six bedrooms and a pool) and other deals ranging from $400,000 to $10.60 million.

The Herald-Tribune selected 12 top defensive backs from Sarasota-Manatee for the upcoming 2026 season and readers can vote until 10 a.m. Monday, Aug.

17 to pick the best candidate — including players like McRae and Pitchford who have drawn major college offers.

Sarasota ultrarunner Brad Hamilton ran 96 miles of the Badwater 135 in Death Valley last month before severe tendonitis forced him to stop near the finish (the world’s toughest foot race).

He said he plans to return once he recovers.

Local golfer Elianna Grace from Lakewood Ranch placed third in her age-group division at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship, held from July 30 to Aug.

1 at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina & her strong play earned praise from her family.