If you haven’t heard of it, Golden Groovers is the lively dance program made just for seniors, and it’s all about keeping older adults moving, connecting, and having fun. The first class kicks off Wednesday, January 22, at 2 p.m. in the Van Wezel Education Room.

Veteran instructors Deb Lombard and Eric van Baars lead the way. They always start with a gentle warmup, then move into new choreography inspired by a different theme each week. This year’s lineup looks especially fun—think Footloose, Grease, West Side Story, and The Lion King. It’s not a ballroom class, but couples are definitely welcome.

The series runs every Wednesday from January 22 to March 26, always at 2 p.m., and each session lasts about an hour. It’s $15 per class, but space goes fast.

Curious how these classes work or what makes them special? Check out the recent podcast episode featuring Education and Community Engagement Director Justin Gomlak chatting with instructor Deb Lombard about the philosophy behind Golden Groovers and how it impacts senior participants. You can find Curtain Call Conversations: A Van Wezel Podcast online.
Want more updates? Keep an eye on the Van Wezel website or follow on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube for the latest about shows, events, and education programs. For direct information about education and community offerings, head to VanWezel.org/education-community or check out their social media.

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Located on South Tamiami Trail on Venice Island, the 3.59-acre property overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway. It has functioned as part of the Venetian Waterway Trail where residents can bike and walk on a paved trail. The property contains 1.52 acres of remnant coastal hammock habitat and 2.15 acres of freshwater wetland. Protecting these habitats helps provide safe spaces for many threatened and native species such as gopher tortoises.

“This acquisition strengthens the continuity and long-term vision of the Venetian Waterway Trail. By acquiring this property, we’re able to enhance the trail experience, improve connectivity and ensure safe, accessible recreation for everyone,” said Nicole Rissler, Director of Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

The funding for this acquisition was provided through the Neighborhood Parkland Acquisition Program (NPP). NPP is a voter-approved, taxpayer-funded program established to acquire and protect natural lands and parklands under the Sarasota County Land Acquisition and Management Program.

For more information on the Sarasota County Land Acquisition and Management Program, visit bit.ly/landacquisitions.

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The request, filed by Winchester Florida Ranch, LLLP on behalf of itself and the City of North Port, seeks to change the Future Land Use designation for about 2,432.9 acres of a 3,148-acre property along South River Road. The proposal would shift the land from Semi-Rural and Rural to Moderate Density Residential, which allows between two and fewer than five homes per acre. The rest of the land already carries Moderate Density Residential or Major Employment Center designations.

The property is located south and west of the North Port city boundary. After the hearing, the Planning Commission will send a recommendation to the Sarasota County Commission for final consideration.

All interested parties are invited to appear, be heard, and submit relevant evidence. Copies of the proposed Amendment and supporting documents are available during normal business hours in the Planning and Development Services Department at 1001 Sarasota Center Blvd., Sarasota, Florida.  Copies of the petition and supporting documents will be available to view or download at www.scgov.net, Keyword:  Planning Commission, the Friday prior to the public hearing.  Written comments will be considered and may be sent to the Planning and Development Services Department prior to the public hearing at the above address or by e-mail to planner@scgov.net.   The public hearing may be continued from time to time as announced by the Board. 

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According to the complaint filed October 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, the Zieglers accuse Detectives Angela Cox and Maria Llovio of conducting an “egregious abuse of power” that included obtaining overbroad search warrants, seizing private communications, and omitting exculpatory evidence from judicial review.

The lawsuit states that Sarasota police “downloaded the entirety of Mr. Ziegler’s cell phone,” accessing more than 470,000 photos and 30,000 videos, including confidential marital and attorney-client communications. The Zieglers allege this violated their rights under the Fourth, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments.

Bridget Ziegler, a Sarasota County School Board member and co-founder of Moms for Liberty, claims the couple’s private messages were unlawfully included in police reports that later became public. “It is as if the Defendants intentionally did an end-run around the Constitution and state law,” the complaint states.

The lawsuit recounts that in October 2023, police opened a sexual assault investigation against Christian Ziegler after a woman accused him of misconduct. Within days, police learned of a video Ziegler said cleared him of wrongdoing. The suit claims detectives knew about the video but still executed a sweeping search warrant. “The exculpatory nature of the video was immediately apparent to everyone who viewed it,” the filing says.

The State Attorney’s Office declined to file charges in March 2024. By then, Christian Ziegler had resigned as chair of the Republican Party of Florida, and both plaintiffs say they suffered severe professional and reputational harm.

The couple is seeking compensatory damages for attorney’s fees and lost wages, as well as punitive damages for “mental anguish, pain and suffering, and humiliation and embarrassment.” The City of Sarasota and the detectives have not yet filed a response. A spokesperson for the Sarasota Police Department declined to comment on pending litigation.

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The parcels were rezoned to Office, Professional, Institutional (OPI) to align with the county’s comprehensive plan and the State Road 776 corridor plan. The application, represented by Rhea Hunter, director of planning at RVi Planning + Landscape Architecture, updates two lots previously zoned Open Use Estate (OUE-2) and two already zoned OPI.

“This request simply extends the OPI zoning across all four parcels,” Hunter told commissioners. “We believe this will address compatibility concerns raised by the Planning Commission and bring the property into conformity with the comprehensive plan.”

Planning History and Staff Recommendations

The rezoning follows a September 4 Planning Commission vote recommending denial of an earlier request to change the site to Commercial Neighborhood zoning. The applicant revised the proposal in response to concerns about potential intensity of uses.

Sarasota County Planner Evan Claessens said staff recommended approval with conditions limiting access from State Road 776 and requiring compliance with the corridor plan. Staff did not object to the applicant’s request to reduce a required 50-foot landscape buffer to 20 feet along the highway.

Public Concerns Over Buffer and Flooding

Nearby residents spoke in opposition to the buffer reduction, citing flooding and environmental impacts.

“I oppose reducing the buffer from 50 to 20 feet,” said resident Nicole Becker. “It will reduce green space, worsen flooding, and set a precedent for future waivers.”

Derek Silcox, another nearby homeowner, echoed those concerns. “After Hurricane Ian, that intersection flooded badly,” he said. “Even small changes in impervious surfaces can make a big difference.”

Commission Debate and Decision

District 1 Commissioner Teresa Mast supported the rezoning but emphasized the need for thoughtful design. “We may not know what will be built there, but we can be good neighbors in advance,” Mast said, calling for enhanced buffering and lighting considerations.

District 5 Commissioner Ron Cuttsinger, who represents Englewood, defended the buffer reduction. “If we required 50 feet plus another 25 feet for a buffer, we’d essentially make the property undevelopable,” he said. “This is a small, benign project that will likely result in a modest office building.”

Chairman Joe Neunder acknowledged public concerns but joined the unanimous vote. “It’s a beautiful area,” he said. “My only heartburn is the reduction from 50 to 20 feet, but I respect the property rights involved.”

The motion to approve both parts of the application passed 5-0.

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The celebration opens with Amy Tan, bestselling author of “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Bonesetter’s Daughter.” Tan will discuss her creative journey and her latest work, “The Backyard Bird Chronicles,” on Friday, November 7, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Riverview Performing Arts Center, 1 Ram Way, Sarasota. No registration is required; seating is first come, first served.

Lisa Daily, a USA Today bestselling author and book coach, will present “How to Write Romance That Sizzles” on Tuesday, November 11, from 7 to 8 p.m. at Ringling College of Art & Design, 2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota. Admission is free. For details, email aleuck@scgov.net

Art crime detective Robert K. Wittman, founder of the FBI’s National Art Crime Team, will appear on Wednesday, November 12, from 3 to 4 p.m. at the William H. Jervey Jr. Venice Library, 300 Nokomis Avenue South, Venice. Wittman will share stories from his bestselling memoir “Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World’s Stolen Treasures.” Admission is free.

Award-winning naturalist and author Stan Tekiela will present his wildlife photography and insights from decades of field research on Friday, November 14, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Jervey Jr. Venice Library. Admission is free and open to adults and seniors.

Bestselling novelist Chris Bohjalian, known for “Midwives” and “The Flight Attendant,” will appear on Saturday, November 15, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at Selby Library, 1331 First Street, Sarasota. He will discuss his latest work, “The Jackal’s Mistress.” A book signing will follow.

Fans of the macabre can join members of the Florida chapter of the Horror Writers Association for readings and discussions on Monday, November 17, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port. No registration is required.

Annabelle Tometich, author of “The Mango Tree: A Memoir of Fruit, Florida, and Felony,” will speak on Tuesday, November 18, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library, 4143 Woodmere Park Boulevard, Venice. The event is presented with support from Florida Humanities and the Jacarlene Foundation.

Mother-daughter duo Janet and Alex Evanovich will discuss their writing process and Janet’s new novel, “The King’s Ransom,” on Wednesday, November 19, from 3 to 4:30 p.m. at the Shannon Staub Library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port. A book sale and signing will follow.

The celebration concludes with Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of “The Magnolia Palace” and “The Lions of Fifth Avenue.” Davis will speak on Thursday, November 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jervey Jr. Venice Library.For full details about “Off the Page” events, call 941-861-1110 or visit scgovlibrary.librarymarket.com.

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Officers attempted to stop the maroon pickup near U.S. 41 and Alligator Road in Venice. The driver struck a North Port Police vehicle, flipping it and injuring an officer’s shoulder. 

Witnesses reported seeing a helicopter following the suspect vehicle “the whole time” as it traveled miles along the Legacy Trail. One bicyclist on the trail “luckily got out of the way,” a social media post read. The truck, reportedly traveling without headlights, ran red lights, crossed medians, and at one point drove on the wrong side of the road.

Authorities deployed stop sticks near Central Sarasota Parkway and Macintosh Road, flattening all four tires. The suspect then fled on foot near McIntosh Road and Central Sarasota Parkway, where officers detained him shortly after.

Police recovered an AR-15 rifle inside the truck, which investigators said was registered to an individual currently incarcerated. The vehicle itself was not registered to the suspect.

Booking records show Colton Frank Corpus, 25, of Englewood, was arrested by the North Port Police Department. He faces multiple charges including fleeing and eluding police, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, reckless driving, driving while license suspended, failure to carry vehicle insurance, DUI, and refusal to submit to DUI testing. He remains in custody without bond at the Sarasota County Jail. An arraignment is set for December 5.

The North Port Police Department and Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office both assisted in the incident, which remains under investigation.

This is a breaking story and will be updated as information is made available.

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County services will remain available in person from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, at the Sarasota County Operations Center, 1001 Sarasota Center Boulevard, Sarasota. Information and assistance are also available online at scgov.net or by dialing 311.

During construction of the new county administration building, Sarasota County Board of County Commissioners meetings will take place at the Robert L. Anderson Administration Center, 4000 North Tamiami Trail, Venice. Residents can view meetings via live stream on Frontier channel 32 or online at scgov.net by searching “meetings on demand.”

The county’s new Administration Center, located at 1 Apex Road, Sarasota, is expected to open in 2026. Details about the opening and the first board meeting will be announced once finalized. In the meantime, county staff will continue to operate from various county facilities until their departments transition to the new location. A list of ongoing county projects can be found at scgov.net by searching “projects in my neighborhood.”

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A burn ban is currently in effect for Sarasota County due to local drought conditions and an increased chance of fire hazards.

Under Sarasota County’s burn ban ordinance (Sarasota County Code Section 58-2), burn bans automatically go into effect countywide and prohibit almost all open burning when the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI) meets or exceeds 500.

All outdoor burning is prohibited unless a permit has been issued and is applicable for the unincorporated areas of Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota.

Exceptions to this include cooking on barbeque grills or pits that do not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height, or any other valid state or county-authorized burn.

The burn ban will automatically lift after the drought index falls below 500 for seven consecutive days. This announcement will be made on scgov.net, on Sarasota County social media pages and local news media outlets.

Sarasota County Fire Department asks all residents to stay vigilant during these dry conditions and to take the following actions to protect their families and homes from fire danger:

• Create three zones of defensible space around your home or business.
• Clear trash and dead vegetation from the yard.
• Remove leaves and debris from roof, gutters and under decks.
• Have a plan and an emergency preparedness kit packed in case you need to evacuate quickly, especially if your home is near wildlands.
• Monitor local media for updates on road closures, smoke conditions and other hazards.
• Use extreme caution when grilling, camping and discarding cigarettes.
• Don’t use anything (i.e. lawn mowers) that may create sparks outside on dry, windy days.
• If you see something, say something! Call 911 if you see fire in your area.

Should a wildfire occur, nearby residents are urged to follow the directions from authorities, which may include evacuations in localized areas.

For more information, visit scgov.net/fire.

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