Lakewood Ranch resident enters competitive District 6 election

John Calovich will have to win the primary first because there are four other Republicans in the race.

Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's John Calovich is running for the District 6 at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission.
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
Esplanade residents have an assembly line to stuff Comfort Cases backpacks to be delivered to foster kids.
  • March 18, 2026
Esplanade pulls together to support foster kids
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
The Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament has raised more than $108,000 for the Tidewell Foundation. With the final event, the goal is to reach the $150,000 mark.
  • March 18, 2026
Chad Day Memorial Fishing Tournament prepares for final fundraiser

Business

Life Time, an athletic country club, is slated to open in Lakewood Ranch in late 2026. This is the outdoor pool and waterslide at the Life Time in Winter Park.
  • March 17, 2026
Entertainment district expands in Lakewood Ranch
Austin Venhaus and Aaron Rutsky
  • March 11, 2026
Walls go up as Sarasota's first climbing gym nears opening
Sweetwater's Whit and Taylor Wesenberg founded Humu's Island Treasures after selling five handmade art pieces within a day of being posted on Facebook marketplace.
  • March 10, 2026
Lakewood Ranch small business carves out good vibes
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
  • March 7, 2026
Bankrupt Saks Fifth Avenue to close Sarasota-UTC store
Sarasota's Tony Mullet, Dianne Gardner, Annelle Mullet, Dave Gardner and Denise Miller get their green on to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Lakewood Main Street on March 17.
  • March 18, 2026
A green day on Lakewood Main Street to celebrate St. Patrick's Day
Sarasota's Kelley Rouse celebrates after she participates in the Bus Pull for Inclusion, a fundraiser for the nonprofit Inclusion Revolution, that will assist in providing job-related resources to people with disabilities.
  • March 16, 2026
Bus pull raises $22,455 for Sarasota nonprofit
Hysen Muhametaj, Jamison Eige, Ron Major and Sydney Bartlett of Direct Window & Door celebrate Eige's win at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off.
  • March 14, 2026
Spicy showdown at the Suncoast Builders Association Chili Cook Off
"Paradise Runway" fashion show models Judie Jacobson, Patti Wrobel, Cheryl Gross, Janet Nash and Regina Napoli wait to show off their second outfits for the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club fundraiser.
  • March 13, 2026
Paradise Runway fundraiser hosted by the Lakewood Ranch Women's Club
Rex Jensen welcomes Fabienne and Brett Hutchens to the party at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • March 9, 2026
Having fun makes horse sense at the Sarasota Polo Club
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Executive Director Kate Mulligan, Meals on Wheels Plus President and CEO Maribeth Phillips, and Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation President Jeffrey Toale gather together after Phillips accepted a $25,000 grant to beautify Daybreak.
  • March 9, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation honors 2025 grant recipients
Bradenton's Madison Hokanson, 5, and Jaxson Hokanson, 2, came dressed for the occasion to the Irish Celtic Festival at Greenbrook Adventure Park on March 7.
  • March 8, 2026
Irish Celtic Festival paints the park green in Lakewood Ranch
Suncoast Stars Community's Jenny Audet, Julie Audet and Laurel Audet are grateful for the program that provides a wide array of activities including dance, music, fitness and nutrition, knitting, Bible study, crafts, and more.
  • March 1, 2026
Suncoast Stars Community shines bright during fundraising event
University Park's Marilyn Kern reacts after making the winning bid during the live auction for a Hawaiian vacation at Sisterhood for Good's Tropical Escape Feb. 27 at the Sarasota Polo Club.
  • February 28, 2026
Sisterhood for Good of Lakewood Ranch hosts Tropical Escape fundraiser
Nicholas Quintero, Conner King, Greyson Alexander and Lucas Matallana are campout ready with snacks, a lantern and even a headlamp.
  • February 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Community Campout lights a fire for families and friends
St. Barbara's Hellenic Folk Dance Group member Harrison Barakos gives a wave, while being cheered on by fellow dancers Maria Stylianoudakis and Gianni Cappelluti, as his name is called at the St. Barbara 42nd annual Greek Festival.
  • February 20, 2026
St. Barbara hosts 42nd annual Greek Festival all weekend
Weizhen Jiang Wolf and Yuhong Wan of Zen Rhythm Dance Group perform a Mongolian Dance at the Lunar New Year Celebration.
  • February 20, 2026
Sister Cities of Sarasota hosts Lunar New Year celebration