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Amazing Video Of Drum Circle, Light Dancing On Siesta Key

Photography blog GetawayMoments used a GoPro camera to capture time-lapsed photos plus video for a surreal view of a Siesta Key tradition.

The Siesta Key Drum Circle is a Sunday tradition for many at the world renowned beach, and the dancers with their LED hoola hoops and glo sticks provide a trippy scene after sunset. Blog GetawayMoments tried to capture that feeling with two videos posted this past week featuring Siesta Key. They're both true works of art. The featured video above is actually the second video after the blogger said they simply had so much raw footage, they decided to edit another video. Check out the first video, which is predominately time-lapsed footage. Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here. The blog reveals how these images were …

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Siesta Key Beach Makes Dr. Beach's Best Florida Beach List

Dr. Beach, Florida International University professor Stephen P. Leatherman, was asked to make a list of best Florida beaches for USA Today.

Siesta Key is still receiving attention from Dr. Beach, and readers can vote in a poll to make Siesta Beach No. 1 again—this time for top beach in Florida. USA Today asked Dr. Beach, who is Stephen P. Leatherman, professor at Florida International University, to come up with the Sunshine State's top 10 beaches that "combine sand, surf and a welcoming sense of community."  Siesta Key Beach is on it again, from USA Today: Siesta Key: Last year's winner of Leatherman's "best beach in America" survey, this Gulf Coast barrier island southwest of Sarasota has "the finest white sand in the world." USA Today is also asking readers to vote in an online poll to make Siesta Key a reader's choice for top Florida beach. The winning beach will be …

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Public Informational Meeting Held for Siesta Beach Park

Residents see new designs for the Siesta Beach Park improvement project

St. Michael the Archangel Church on Siesta Key was the site of a Tuesday evening public meeting for residents interested in seeing the improvement plans for Siesta Beach Park. There was no formal presentation at the open house-style meeting, hosted by the Sarasota County Public Works and Parks and Recreation departments, but the designs for all the aspects of the park were displayed in the community room for residents to observe. Curt Preisser, of the Sarasota County Communications department, said this style of meeting is one the county had employed in the past. “This is a model that worked really well for the Gulf Gate Library project,” he said. “The community has had a lot of input into this highly visible and very important project. …

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Siesta Beach Burglary Suspect Arrested Again

Rene Sanchez of Miami faces another charge of using stolen credit cards from Siesta Beach.

A Miami man charged with burglary and credit card theft is facing more charges after deputies confirmed Wednesday another case connected with the suspect. Rene Sanchez, 35, of 2801 77th Court SW, Miami, was let out on $30,000 bond Wednesday afternoon before deputies could confirm a second case, but found Sanchez near Clark Road and Murdock Avenue in a black Nissan last night, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Sanchez was arrested and charged Tuesday along with Carmelo Curbelo, also of Miami, for suspected burglarizing of a car then buying electronics at Best Buy and an Osprey Walmart, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies found that a second case involving a Nokomis woman's cards stolen from her car and the two men …

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Car Burglaries, Credit Card Thefts Continue At Siesta Beach

Sheriff's deputies arrested and charged two Miami men Tuesday in the latest rash of car burglaries and credit card theft.

Siesta Key Beach is facing another round of vehicle burglaries where suspects are stealing credit cards and racking up charges on them, but this time two suspects were caught. Two Miami men were charged Tuesday for vehicle burglaries and grand theft for breaking into an Arizona woman's car at the beach and going to Best Buy an Walmart buying high-end electronics, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. Carmelo Curbelo, 46, of 1502 SW 142 Ave., Miami and Rene Sanchez, 35, of 2801 77th Court SW, Miami, are charged with vehicle burglary, grand theft and fraudulent use of a credit card, according to the sheriff's office. Sanchez faces tampering with evidence charges after deputies witnessed him throwing out items purchased with the …

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ISAAC: Tropical Storm Isaac Pictures

Contribute pictures from around Sarasota of Tropical Storm Isaac's impact.

Winds are picking up around Sarasota and some areas are seeing sprinkles as Tropical Storm Isaac's outer bans have reached the area. Isaac is still centered above Cuba and heavy rains are moving over Key West, so the tropical force winds haven't reached here yet as those bans extend 180 miles away from the eye. In the meantime, Patch has posted pictures of the pre-Isaac show on Siesta Key. Contribute your Isaac pictures and videos here by clicking upload above. You can also tweet your photos @SarasotaPatch or post them on the Sarasota Patch Facebook fan page. You can also text photos with your credit info and where it was taken to 941-525-3192.

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Man Charged For Lewd Behavior On Siesta Beach

An out-of-state officer spotted a man fondling himself in front of young children on Siesta Key Beach and demanded that the man stop before calling local authorities.

A homeless man is facing charges for fondling himself in front of children on Siesta Key Beach Tuesday. Joshua Anthony McClure, 41, faces four felony counts — one for each minor child victimized — of lewd or lascivious exhibition according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office. He was booked into Sarasota County Jail Tuesday where he is being held on $40,000 bond. A law enforcement officer visiting from Indiana saw the man expose himself and masturbate when he was sitting on the beach shortly before 1 p.m. Tuesday, according to the probable cause affidavit. The officer told the sheriff's office that she displayed his badge to the suspect and told him to stop, and the suspect left the beach on a bike, according to the affidavit.  The …

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Sand Sculpture Contest returns to Siesta Key on Cinco de Mayo

In its 40th annniversary, hundreds gather to watch the numerous sand sculptures to be judged.

Siesta Key Beach was full as expected during Cinco de Mayo. There were also many on hand for the 40th annual Sand Sculpture Contest. The Sarasota County Parks & Recreation and the Pelican Press co-sponsored the event. Dozens of contestants of all ages participated in the event, which started at 8:30 a.m. Various sculptures ranging from animals to castles and mermaids, many of which took the whole day to sculpt, were on hand for everyone to see. There were different categories that were judged. The 1st place winners were: "Pirate Pelican a.k.a. Pirecan" - Adult Humorous; "Castle by the Sea" - Adult Miscellaneous; "Mermaid" - Youth ages 11 to 17; and "Haunted House" - Children ages 10 and Under. For Judge's Choice, the winner was "Pirate …

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Off-Duty Deputy Rescues 2 Siesta Key Swimmers

Sgt. Steve Leavitt spotted two teenagers screaming for help in the Siesta Key Beach waters and rescued them.

An off-duty Sarasota County Sheriff's deputy is being lauded as a hero for rescuing two teenagers off of Siesta Key Beach Sunday. Sheriff Tom Knight commended Sgt. Steve Leavitt for his quick, live saving action. Leavitt was off-duty and with his family near Beach Access 7 when he noticed two swimmers struggling in the strong current, the sheriff's office said. A 15-year-old female was screaming for help and a 14-year-old male was sinking under water. Leavitt quickly swam out the young girl and brought her to shallow water, and then went about 75-yards out to rescue the 14-year old male swimmer and bring him to shore. Neither victim required medical attention following their rescue. Leavitt has been with the Sheriff’s Office since August …

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