Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan

Given three years of revisions, residents wanted more than seven weeks to review the final updates.

Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
Isabella Cz, a rising sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Skylar Flandreau, a rising sixth grader at Martha B. King Middle School, take turns playing the ukulele during the Manatee Arts Education Council smARTen Up Camp.
  • June 4, 2026
Smarten Up Camp gives Manatee County students advanced arts opportunities
Gabrielle Finnegan, chapter president of the Lakewood Ranch High School Future Farmers of America, checks out Lucy the cow with 7-year-old camper Luca Bellantonio.
  • June 3, 2026
Camp churns out important agricultural lessons in Lakewood Ranch
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library

Business

Mike and Jenny Schenk have closed their Pineapple Kitchen location on Lena Road and are now marketing their products on Amazon.
  • June 4, 2026
Pineapple Kitchen owners close store, move to Amazon
University Town Center is poised to welcome more than a dozen new tenants, Ikea this summer to Dick's House of Sport in 2027.
  • June 3, 2026
13 new retailers, eateries coming to University Town Center
Zach Zeller co-owns three restaurants in Lakewood Ranch.
  • May 22, 2026
A high-flying spirit has led Lakewood Rancher to adventure, in business and life
From left: Katelyn Diaz serves up smiles at Sip n Brew, the coffee trailer she launched with her parents shortly after graduating from Lakewood Ranch High. Partners Scott Wacha, left, and Brandon Whitman hold their Moo-Jitsu spice blends, a backyard-idea-turned-growing-business rooted in family, flavor and a bit of humor. Jason Huh, founder of STEEL Supplements, showcases Sodi Pop and Omni — two of the company’s expanding beverage lines aimed at a broader audience.
  • May 22, 2026
These entrepreneurial families launched their new ventures right here at home
Isabella Cz, a rising sixth grader at Dr. Mona Jain Middle School, and Skylar Flandreau, a rising sixth grader at Martha B. King Middle School, take turns playing the ukulele during the Manatee Arts Education Council smARTen Up Camp.
  • June 4, 2026
Smarten Up Camp gives Manatee County students advanced arts opportunities
Gabrielle Finnegan, chapter president of the Lakewood Ranch High School Future Farmers of America, checks out Lucy the cow with 7-year-old camper Luca Bellantonio.
  • June 3, 2026
Camp churns out important agricultural lessons in Lakewood Ranch
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season
Novalee Roberts, a third grader at Myakka City Elementary, is eager to participate in the Tape the Principal (Carol Ricks) event.
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka City Elementary celebrates test achievements with 'Jump a Bucket'
Oceane Visa, who says she has waited years to walk across the stage for graduation, is congratulated by Head of School Debra Otey.
  • May 22, 2026
Out-of-Door Academy graduates showed up for the moments that matter most
Molly Reichenbach, Caio Menegardo and Brian Scanlon cheer for their classmates as they receive their diplomas from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy May 20.
  • May 21, 2026
First class of seniors ready to soar from Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy
Jazmin Ortega, Alora Parcells and Suri Bui reminisce on their time at Braden River High School prior to the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park May 19.
  • May 20, 2026
Braden River High grads know there is 'a lot to be discovered'
Sophia Wiley makes her way down the row to shake hands after she receives her Lakewood Ranch High School diploma at Lecom Park May 18.
  • May 19, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High graduates eager for what's ahead
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Community Foundation as he is announced as the winner of the "Next Gen" award at University Park Country Club May 13.
  • May 16, 2026
Young Leaders Alliance presents its top award in Lakewood Ranch
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch
Bradenton's Trey Johnson finishes his swing during the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local nonprofits.
  • May 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch rallies to support golf tournament fundraiser
Parker Hippich, 12 months, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.
  • May 10, 2026
All about the mothers at special event in Lakewood Ranch
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch