SIESTA KEY
Observer YOU. YOUR NEIGHBORS. YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD.
Loving the Earth.
PAGE 26 FREE • THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022
VOLUME 52, NO. 42
YOUR TOWN
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City seeks new seal of approval At 120 years of age, the official seal of Sarasota is in need of an update. And who better than its citizens to help design it. The city of Sarasota is inviting the community to submit designs for a new seal in a public design contest that begins May 1. The intent is to provide residents an opportunity to play a role in developing the city’s present and future brand. The current seal, which dates back to the city’s incorporation in 1902, pays homage to marine and coastal life with the words, “May Sarasota Prosper.” Entries may be submitted and viewed online at BrandSarasota.com. Entries will be available for viewing by the public as they are received. Physical entries can be mailed to DreamLarge at 1421 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236. The contest closes June 15.
HIGHER THAN EVER
March 2022 $500,000
Sarasota-Manatee’s median home sales price reaches $500,000 milestone, though data show that stabilization of prices already might be underway. ANDREW WARFIELD STAFF WRITER
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Closer to a call on new chief City manager says he’ll alert commissioners this week on his preference for in-house or out-of-town candidate for SPD. SEE PAGE 4
nder normal circumstances, the spring home sales data along the central Gulf Coast in general and North Port-Sarasota-Manatee in particular would register a noticeable upward trend. These aren’t ordinary times, though, and at least two local real estate agents agree that, regardless of the season, the Sarasota area will remain for now a seller’s market. A record threshold for the median price, though, could be short-lived as data in the Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee March 2022 housing report suggest the possible beginning of stabilization. SEE REAL ESTATE, PAGE 3
MAY 2021 $403,745
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Interim Police Chief Rex Troche has served in the role since August.
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Turtles arrive The sea turtles have arrived, even though their nesting season is officially from May 1 to Oct. 31. The first nest was spotted and documented April 24 on Longboat Key. Volunteers from the Longboat Key Turtle Watch, who patrol the beaches under the auspices of permit from the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium’s Sea Turtle Conservation and Research Program, found the nest on the southern end of the Key. It’s pretty common for turtles to begin nesting before the official start of the season. Now that the beach is open for turtle business, Gulf-side residents will have to make sure to change their outdoor lights to red frequencies to keep the turtles on track, close blinds at night and bring all temporary structures such as beach furniture off the sand.
A+E
Curtain call for dancer. PAGE 13
Looking back on a giant of the big top Sailor Circus finale pays tribute to a circus legend in Sarasota. SEE PAGE 23
Harry Sayer
Dylan Mason waves during the finale of the weekend performance.