Click here for the latest news. For more information and updates, visit scgov.net/ResilientSRQ or email ResilientSRQ@scgov.net.

Mosquito-borne illness advisory in Sarasota County

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Sarasota County and Manatee County is responding to one confirmed case of malaria. The patient was promptly treated at a hospital and has recovered. DOH is working closely with local partners and county mosquito control. Aerial and ground mosquito spraying is being conducted in these areas to mitigate the risk of further transmission. Malaria is not transmitted from person to person. Individuals in this area with symptoms of fever, chills, sweats, nausea/vomiting and headaches should seek immediate medical attention through hospitals and other health care providers.

For helpful tips on how to protect yourself from any mosquito-borne illness and to help reduce the population of mosquitos around your home, click on the headline. For more information about the Florida DOH please visit FloridaHealth.gov.

Visit scgov.net/mosquito to learn more about Sarasota County Mosquito Management Services and their efforts to protect and promote public health.

The 2023 Intern Sarasota County program began on Monday, May 22. The class finished out their first of 12 weeks in public service with a trolley tour to visit and experience different county locations. The group had the opportunity to learn about local county government and the many services that are provided to residents and visitors.

Click here to meet our 2023 interns.

The South Siesta Key Beach repair project has begun shifting to the area of the beach south of the sand stockpile. Construction activities will be similar to the previous north beach work and as activity moves southward, southern beach access points will be closed in approximately 500-foot sections. The northern section of the beach is open. 

Work on this project began April 24, and is expected to last through June 30. The project will repair beach erosion caused by Hurricane Hermine in 2016 that erased earlier renourishment of South Siesta and Turtle Beach. The erosion reduced the volume of sand along the beach and natural habitat.

Mote Marine Laboratory and Sarasota Audubon Society continue daily sea turtle and shorebird monitoring at the project site. 

Sarasota County to receive $14.5 million grant for water quality project

Sarasota County has been selected to receive a $14.5 million grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Transformational Habitat Restoration and Coastal Resilience Program, for the Alligator Creek Stream Restoration Project.

As part of Sarasota County’s ongoing commitment to improving water quality, the Sarasota County Commission will consider the grant allocation in the next few months. In addition to funding the county’s current commitment of $1.4 million, the grant will allow the county, project partners, and stakeholders to mitigate the past negative impacts of the urbanized Alligator Creek and restore vital ecological habitats. To read the full story, and to learn more about the grant, click on the headline.

The annual free Kids’ Summer Beach Runs are returning to Siesta and North Brohard beaches June through July. Join us for one-mile fun runs for kids and families to participate in healthy activities together over the summer. To view the summer schedules and for more, click on the headline.