Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: Sarasota Cop Fired, Arrested For Misuse Of Flock Databases: Police

Happening soon: Planet 13 Sarasota Grand Opening: Fri 8/21 & Sat 8/22! on the Sarasota Patch calendar

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Friday August 21st Patch AM
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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:

  • Sarasota officer fired and jailed over alleged misuse of police databases
  • What Sarasota's latest zoning change means for Ringling Boulevard's future
  • How Sarasota officers pulled off a risky nighttime boat rescue

Also on today's calendar: Planet 13 Sarasota Grand Opening: Fri 8/21 & Sat 8/22! and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What is full of holes but still holds water? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 91 and low of 79 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 90, low: 78.
  • Sunday: A shower and t-storm; humid, with a high of 89 and low of 77 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Sarasota Cop Fired, Arrested For Misuse Of Flock Databases: Police (patch.com) — Sarasota residents are learning that local police officer Cory Waiters has been fired and arrested after investigators say he repeatedly misused restricted databases, including the Flock license-plate system, to run hundreds of searches on a single tag. The Sarasota Police Department launched an internal and criminal probe, completed an agency-wide audit of database use, and is asking anyone with additional information to contact its Criminal Investigations Division.
   

2. Sarasota green-lights zoning change for Benderson's county building project (businessobserverfl.com) — Sarasota's City Commission has unanimously approved a land use change that lets Benderson redevelop the former Sarasota County Administration Center at 1660 Ringling Blvd. into taller Class A office and commercial space. The project, praised for strong neighborhood outreach, will keep much of the site as upgraded parking while contributing to the ongoing transformation of Ringling Boulevard's downtown corridor.
   

3. Sarasota Police Rescue Sailboat Captain Stranded in Rough Weather (iheart.com) — Sarasota police and neighboring agencies braved rough nighttime conditions near Big Pass to bring a stranded sailboat captain safely to shore after his vessel grounded between Lido Key and Siesta Key. Working with Longboat Key police and the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office helicopter, officers maneuvered through shallow, choppy water to reach the boat. No injuries were reported after the coordinated rescue.
   

4. Floating mahjong makes a splash on the Suncoast (mysuncoast.com subscription) — Sarasota residents are turning mahjong into a uniquely local pastime by playing on floating mats at South Lido Beach and other area spots. The Sarasota Mahjong Club, founded in 2024 and now over 1,300 members strong, meets weekly through August, blending beach life, social connection, and a centuries-old game into a distinctly Suncoast experience.
   

5. The Patriots of Wellen Park beginning inaugural season as a Pop Warner organization (mysuncoast.com) — A new Pop Warner youth football and cheer program, the Patriots of Wellen Park, is kicking off its inaugural season in South Sarasota County, drawing about 200 young athletes and their families. Organizers say the nonprofit aims to build community pride, mirror Wellen Park High's patriotic identity, and teach kids life skills and service that last well beyond the game.
   

📸 Around Sarasota

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Pride Night subscriptions, tickets now on sale for Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's upcoming season —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • Bentley Goodrich Kison Attorneys Selected for Best Lawyers in America® —Kelly Fores Read on Patch
  • Friends Drawn to The Vibrant Lifestyle Emerson Lakes Offers —Elizabeth Fabiano Read on Patch
  • All Faiths Food Bank hires new Senior Director for DeSoto Food and Resource Center —Sharon Kunkel Read on Patch
  • I would like to say thank you to the gentleman who helped me yesterday when I was stuck in the water at Cocaina Beach.
    I lost my footing I went down could not get up. There were no lifeguards and this gentleman got me out of the water made sure I was OK, thank you,… (Nextdoor Beneva)
  • Manatee County offers a free service for people with disabilities or inability to get their garbage and recycle bins down to the end of their driveway.
    You have to have doctor's certification that explains your disability, and at that point, the drivers will leave the truck, come up to your garage,… (Nextdoor University Pines)
  • Skyworks LLC posted a job opening for Parts Coordinator in Sarasota. Apply here.
  • Public Storage posted a job opening for Customer Service - Self Storage Manager 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: A sponge (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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