Sarasota

Dozens of young musicians and faculty artists are in town for the three-week festival, which gets underway June 2.

The final implementation of the interchange requires closing all interchange ramps and Clark Road between Catamaran Drive and Queensbury Boulevard to motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists, from 7 p.m. Saturday, June 1 to 1 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

Developer Maximillian Vollmer of JDMAX Developments in Tampa recently purchased Sarasota’s first Black hotel, built in 1926. Now he wants to tear it down and build new townhomes. Sarasota’s Historic Preservation Board denied the request for demolition. The developer has appealed the decision.

Wildlife officials said after more than three weeks of care at Mote Marine Lab in Sarasota, the sawfish — brought in after first-of-its kind rescue — was euthanized as its condition deteriorated.

A state task force narrowed the locations to four, including Sarasota.

With the cause of the deaths still unknown, officials say over 50 species have been affected. Meantime, a sawfish pulled from waters off Cudjoe Key this month is recovering at a Mote Marine facility.

A cousin of 21-year old Omer Shem Tov –- one of the estimated 134 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza — will share his story at a free community event Wednesday at Temple Emanu-El in Sarasota.

Among the possible reasons are the costs associated with burials and the ability to find next of kin.

The deal still requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, and the funding must be released by the state, according to SRQ airport president Rick Piccolo.

The Sarasota Orchestra is growing as it focuses on how to serve the community in the decades to come.

Last year, the helpline — which is open 24 hours a day — served 11,863 callers who received nearly 19,000 referrals to community services.

A new exhibit at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota takes inspiration from the iconic artists through the lens of nature.