News
Hopeful hotelier shares his vision
An exclusive Q&A with David Balot The site of the former Wells Fargo bank, located at 5810 Midnight Pass Rd., is being eyed for a new hotel by David Balot. It’s the fourth Siesta Key hotel application submitted to Sarasota County within a year. Siesta Sand asked him to share his history and plan. Q: […]
Smith: Electric bikes not allowed on Siesta Key beaches
By Rachel Brown Hackney, SarasotaNewsLeader.com After a thorough investigation into the applicable laws, Sgt. Arik Smith, leader of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office substation on Siesta Key, has determined that electric bicycles are not permitted on the county’s beaches. If someone is pedaling such a bicycle it is allowed, because then the bike is not […]
Rescues on the Key are a challenge, but chief believes in system
By Rachel Brown Hackney, SarasotaNewsLeader.com As traffic congestion has worsened on Siesta Key in recent years, residents have voiced elevated worries about whether the Sarasota County Fire Department is able to get its vehicles to emergencies in a timely fashion. Photos provided by residents since the tourist season began this year have shown both fire […]
New palms grace the Village
A new streetscape appeared on the southern end of Siesta Village the last full week of March. Lisa Cece, the special district coordinator for Sarasota County, explained that the black olive trees that had stood in front of Gilligan’s Island Bar & Grill for many years had grown too large for their space; their root structure was lifting bricks in the walkway, and they were encroaching […]
Living
Turtle sculpture a message of stewardship for beach visitors
By Jane Bartnett A large, original sea-turtle sculpture formed from aluminum now graces the main entrance to Siesta Beach. Unveiled during a morning ceremony on April 17, the work of art took a year and a half to design and create. The result of a joint partnership between Sarasota County and the Gulf Coast Community […]
The art of inspiration
Motivated by health scare, Shawn McLoughlin paints a positive future By Jane Bartnett Shawn McLoughlin’s art is woven into the tapestry of Siesta Key life. Found in the form of whimsical island scenes that not only grace the walls of thousands of homes but also in large, brightly colored murals and signs that dot the […]
Community Spotlight: Linda Vasilaki
Take lots of notes, students! Q: You are the general music and orchestra director at Siesta Key’s Out-of-Door Academy’s lower school, where you’ve spent 38 years. Tell us about your path that landed you there. A: “I started teaching general music in the Grand Rapids, Michigan public schools, where I taught for eight years and […]
Sheriff’s Report: May
March 7 identity theft Complainant reported that an unidentified suspect used her name, social security number and other personal information to apply for Illinois unemployment benefits. The suspect used complainant’s son’s Illinois address for the claim, and complainant became aware of the fraud when her son received a letter from the Illinois unemployment office regarding […]