Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Flying from SRQ soon? Here’s how new TSA scanners affect you
Coming up on the Sarasota Patch calendar: #BE Counted! Voter Information Fair

Good morning Sarasota! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Flying from SRQ soon? Here's how new TSA scanners affect you
- How will Sarasota police running parking change your downtown experience?
- What Florida law really allows for self-driving cars in Sarasota
Also on today's calendar: #BE Counted! Voter Information Fair and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a cap but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Saturday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 89 and low of 74 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: Humid; a p.m. t-storm or two, temps: high: 91, low: 76.
- Monday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 75 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Sarasota airport has new TSA scanners. What that means for travelers (heraldtribune.com) — If you're flying out of Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport, expect new TSA CT scanners that change what you must pull from your bag and which carry-ons fit the machines. Laptops and small liquids can now stay packed, but some larger bags may need checking, so measuring your luggage before heading to SRQ could save time and hassle.
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2. Sarasota parking operations to move under police department by end of month (mysuncoast.com) — Sarasota is shifting its entire parking division under the Sarasota Police Department by Oct. 28, a move officials say will boost employee safety and customer service downtown. City leaders emphasize better coordination between parking staff and officers, but details on any future changes to rates or enforcement hours are still being worked out. Police plan to share more specifics as the transition nears.
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3. Are self-driving cars legal in Sarasota? (suncoastsearchlight.org) — If you see a self-driving car around Sarasota, it's legal under Florida law, which allows autonomous vehicles to operate without a licensed human driver behind the wheel. The brief explains that these cars must still follow all traffic rules, are permitted on highways, and are part of a broader nationwide patchwork of state regulations on autonomous driving.
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4. Sarasota Orchestra Music Center Tunes Up (sarasotamagazine.com) — Sarasota Orchestra is moving closer to building its long-planned Music Center at 5701 Fruitville Road, with construction expected to start next year and opening targeted for the 2029-30 season. Leaders are sharing updated designs that emphasize top-tier acoustics, storm resilience, education space, and better accessibility, promising a modern concert hall and recital hall that expand music and learning opportunities for Sarasota residents.
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5. 164 slot machines seized in Sarasota County illegal gambling bust (businessobserverfl.com) — Sarasota County deputies recently seized 164 slot machines from three Englewood locations in a crackdown on illegal gambling operations in the county's southern area. The sheriff's office, working with state gaming regulators, says the effort follows a similar August seizure and is aimed at protecting residents' quality of life and keeping unregulated casinos out of local neighborhoods.
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📸 Around Sarasota
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Sarasota
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- #BE Counted! Voter Information Fair →
Gulf Gate Library, 7112 Curtiss Ave, Sarasota
11:00 am - Free Fashion Show for a Cause →
Lockwood Ridge Road, Lockwood Ridge Rd,
6:00 pm - Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
Dillard's, 200 University Town Center Dr, Sarasota
10:00 am
Saturday October 3
Tuesday October 6
Thursday October 15
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Fun Science & Art Classes for Ages 8-13 →
4452 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota
8:30 am - The Prepared Parent: A Montessori Approach to Intentional Family Life →
New Gate School, 5237 Ashton Rd, Sarasota
10:00 am - Exhibit: WHY AI? The Digital Paintings of Elisabeth Trostli →
Arts Advocates Gallery
2:00 pm - Luis Morais, Savor Sarasota & 15% off all bottles of wine →
Amore Restaurant, 180 N Lime Ave, Sarasota
6:00 pm - Classical Music Humor →
Sarasota Opera House, 61 N Pineapple Ave, Sarasota
7:30 pm - 5k Run | 1 Mile Walk | Fly Dance Fitness for Mothers Helping Mothers →
Sarasota FL - FREE FIT DAY at Jefferson Fit →
Jefferson Fit - Luxury Gym, 1800 2nd St, Sarasota
7:00 am - SUNDAY night with Eddie Tobin (former music director of Engelbert Humperdinck) →
Amore Restaurant, 180 N Lime Ave, Sarasota
6:00 pm - Carl Fischer and The Sunshine City Brass →
John C. Court Cabaret, 1265 1st St, Sarasota
7:30 pm
Saturday October 3
Sunday October 4
Monday October 5
📣 Sarasota Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Sarasota PatchAM possible:
- Town Square University Park — (941) 277-5048
- Sarasota Flood — (941) 350-3450
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Emerson Lakes Expands Leadership Team Ahead of 2027 Opening —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
- Grants to All Faiths Food Bank support children and families —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
- Safe Children Coalition announces 2026-2027 board of directors —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
- Siberian Husky no collar
Grey and white blue eyes seems either older or really tired On Pearl by the RaceTrac https://neighbors.ring.com/n/VpEEA8lU8z (Nextdoor Whitfield) - LOST DOG: she was found at Hawkins Rd and Hummingbird yesterday.
No collar, doesn't have a chip, maybe 1 yr old. Please respond with any info. Thank you. (Nextdoor Lakewood)
- The Sonida Senior Living posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Sarasota. Apply here.
- Harmar Mobility, LLC posted a job opening for MIG Certified Welder in Sarasota. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Sarasota here.
Ok Sarasota! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What has a cap but no head?" — A bottle (Thank you Glo M. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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