Suncoast Searchlight

6 days ago | suncoastsearchlight.org | Clinton Engelberger |Suncoast Searchlight

Though Sarasota residents might have been wary of drinking the funky-tasting tap water these past couple of weeks, it was perfectly safe to drink. The explanation behind the taste is free chlorine, which Sarasota County added on April 22 and stopped on May 6. Under Florida Administrative Code Rule 62-550.817, the Department of Environmental Protection recommends using free chlorine to disinfect drinking water from viruses and other harmful pathogens.

1 week ago | suncoastsearchlight.org | Clinton Engelberger |Suncoast Searchlight

While it’s not the standard for school boards across Florida, Sarasota County’s decision to host one school board meeting per month isn’t out of the ordinary. State statutes require school districts to host no less than one meeting per month, and many counties  — such as Osceola, Gulf, Polk and Palm Beach — take advantage of that minimum. Pinellas, Hillsborough, Alachua and Orange counties all host two meetings per month.

2 months ago | suncoastsearchlight.org | Josh Salman

By: Josh Salman | Suncoast SearchlightWhen three named storms slammed into the Suncoast this past hurricane season, they did more than just flood neighborhoods and topple power lines – they also forced millions of gallons of sewage into local waterways.