Manatee County commissioners deny 167 homes, 99 put on hold

Commissioners, applicants and residents spent nearly nine hours debating the side-by-side projects.

The red outline shows where M/I Homes of Sarasota proposed to build 167 homes.
Temple Beth Israel named Suzan and Barry Friedman as this year's honorees for its 47th annual gala happening this month.
  • February 3, 2026
Longboat Key temple celebrates multigenerational family
Officer Michael Skinner (representing honoree Ron Dixon) of the Sarasota Police Department; Rotary Club president Pam Akins; Lieutenant Bruce King of the Sarasota Police Department; and honoree Gabe Gadah of Sarasota County Fire Department gather together.
  • February 3, 2026
Rotary Club of Sarasota hosts first awards ceremony for first responders
Lakewood Ranch's Mary Glass and Zoe Lander have been chosen as the honorees for the “Leadership Spirit Award” and “Young Spirit Award” from the Manatee Community Foundation.
  • February 3, 2026
Two Lakewood Ranch residents honored with Spirit of Manatee awards
Susan Benjamin, The Education Center's biographical historian who is praised for her engaging presentations about the lives of some of the industry's most famous musicians, turns her attention to Billy Joel, Gene Kelly and Bob Fosse this season.
  • February 3, 2026
Education Center dives into the stories and music of Billy Joel

Arts + Culture

Charisse Pearlina Weston is the winner of the 2026 Hermitage Greenfield Prize.
  • February 3, 2026
Hermitage Artist Retreat awards 2026 Greenfield Prize to visual artist
Cinthia Peña is the new managing director of CreArte Latino.
  • February 2, 2026
CreArte Latino names new full-time managing director
Ben Stahl's "Thunder on the Beach" is on display at Ringling College of Art and Design through April 11.
  • January 28, 2026
Two exhibits trace the origins of the Sarasota Artist Colony
The Sarasota Ballet will perform Ricardo Graziano's "Valsinhas" from Jan. 30-Feb. 2 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • January 28, 2026
Sarasota Ballet revives 'Valsinhas' for its fourth program
Asolo Repertory Theatre's production of "The Mirror Crack'd" runs through March 14 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • January 27, 2026
Asolo Repertory Theatre veteran returns to helm Agatha Christie classic
Ben Turoff helps bring big-name acts to the performing arts center at the Glenridge On Palmer Ranch retirement community.
  • January 26, 2026
A son of the theater helps a venue come into its own
Ann-Marie Thompson and Cheryl Mulherin, attendees at the St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church Women's Guild new members luncheon on Jan. 29, applaud the soon-to-be-outgoing board members.
  • February 2, 2026
New Women's Guild members share stories of togetherness
Ethan Freeman, 14, Skate Segal, 14, Jett Segal, 12, Florey Miller and her husband TJ Miller were among those serving foods baked by members.
  • February 1, 2026
Temple Sinai hosts Sarasota Jewish Food Festival
Myakka City Elementary first graders Delanee Verly and Emma Kelly check out the wide variety of books for sale during the CommUNITY Night.
  • February 1, 2026
Myakka City Elementary hosts Community Night
Ethan Kuhn of Suncoast United Pipes and Drums performs in the ceremony.
  • January 31, 2026
Scottish Highland Games & Celtic Festival showcases a wee bit of Scotland
Dillon Desiderato and daughter Nora Desiderato share a smile during the Miles for the Miles Family Cozy Cocoa Dash fundraiser at All God's Children Preschool on Jan. 31.
  • January 31, 2026
All God's Children Preschool raises $7,000 to support family after loss to cancer
Commander David Siesel; Assistant Administrative Officer, 1st Lt. Perry Page; Assistant Administrative Officer, 1st Lt. Lois McKenzie; Secretary, Lt. Commander Domini Wood; Executive Officer; Lt. Commander Samuel Doak; and District 22 Comander Ron Jones.
  • January 27, 2026
Sarasota Power and Sail Squadron completes 74th Change of Watch
Jay Poon holds a container of takoyaki, with his wife, Sadie Poon.
  • January 26, 2026
Saigon Night Market brings a taste of Asia to Sarasota
Bella Grace, a 3-year-old Weimaraner, is a German hunting dog who works for Manatee County Search & Rescue. Kevin Vreeland, her owner and K-9 handler, described her as a "scent monster."
  • January 25, 2026
Search and rescue dogs attract a crowd at free Lakewood Ranch presentation
Navigator Gary Yeager balances the cart as driver Kami Landy goes into a turn during the Combined Driving at TerraNova marathon event Jan. 24.
  • January 25, 2026
World champ among competitors at TerraNova's Combined Driving event
Reed Medical Group and Longboat Key Fitness both celebrated their grand reopenings on Jan. 22 at the Shoppes of Bay Isles complex, introducing visitors to their expanded facilities. Dr. James Reed, owner of the concierge medical service, wields the big scissors.
  • January 25, 2026
Longboat Publix plaza celebrates grand openings
Lakewood Ranch's Douglas Grierson said he is amazed by how talented the artists, including painter Thomas Legault, are at the Lakewood Ranch Fine Art Festival.
  • January 24, 2026
Artists showcase their talent during Lakewood Ranch Fine Arts Festival
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe singer Michael Mejia-Mendez belts the opening note of Harry Belafonte's iconic "Day-O" during a tribute performance on Jan. 21 at Christ Church of Longboat Key.
  • January 24, 2026
'King of Calypso' tribute singer gets Christ Church grooving
Alaina Loyal and Gia Sammelman demonstrate concepts including push, pull, kinetic energy, friction.
  • January 22, 2026
STEAM education and circus arts combine with Marvelous, Miraculous Circus Machine
Sarasota MLK Celebration Committee Chair Jetson Grimes, awardees Joseph Mack, Susan Imperato, Valerie Buchand, Meadow Lark Walker, Monica Donley and David Morse, and former mayor Willie Shaw, gather on stage.
  • January 19, 2026
Sarasota's community celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Soloist Kei Sulhi, backed by fellow members of the Temple Beth Israel choir, offers her annual rendition of “The King of Love is Dead,” originally sung by Nina Simone and written by Gene Taylor, in memory of Martin Luther King Jr. at a special Shabbat service.
  • January 19, 2026
Differences celebrated at MLK Jr. memorial Shabbat
Plymouth Harbor on Sarasota Bay kicked off its 60th anniversary celebration on Jan. 15 with live music and special guests including Plymouth Harbor President and CEO Jeff Weatherhead, City of Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice, Chris Pfahler, Plymouth Harbor vice president of philanthropy, Pastor Wes Bixby of First Congregational United Church of Christ Sarasota and Sara Little, president of the Resident Association.
  • January 18, 2026
Plymouth Harbor celebrates 60 years
Bonnie Michaels, literacy coach at Alta Vista Elementary School, helps students Deja (5th grade), Gianni (4th grade), Yoselyn (1st grade) and Andre (2nd grade) try out the new book vending machine. Sarasota Yacht Club youth board members coordinated the installation to help promote strong reading habits.
  • January 18, 2026
Reading comes with a fun twist via new book vending machine
Lakewood Ranch's Rhonda Leiberick and Roscelyn Guenther snag a selfie together in between the running and yoga portions of the triathlon. They alternated between walking and running every two minutes.
  • January 18, 2026
Triathlon brings mindfulness to Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place
Artists from Embracing Our Differences line up to be recognized alongside President and CEO Sarah Wertheimer (right).
  • January 18, 2026
Embracing Our Differences opens grandly on Sarasota bayfront
Tom Watson showcases his 1929 Ford Model A.
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota Yacht Club, St. Armands commemorate anniversary with century of cars
The crew from Station 1 walk across the parking lot to grab some lunch. From left to right: Battalion Chief Craig Madsen and firefighters Adam Stem, Evan Berggren and Tyler Schuele.
  • January 16, 2026
Braden River VFW dishes out thanks to East Manatee firefighters
Bradenton's Harley Busch, 3, is eager to ride the carousel alongside her father John Busch at the Manatee County Fair. She also rode a camel moments before.
  • January 16, 2026
Manatee County Fair, a tradition since 1916, is now open
Steven Mark plays the drums.
  • January 14, 2026
Local drum circle members join musicians on stage during Meetup gathering
Third graders Silas Swor and Misha Reus perform in "Button Up Your Overcoat," celebrating the 1930s.
  • January 13, 2026
Student performances span the decades as Southside Elementary celebrates 100 years
Heidi Scott, Bob Simons and Laura Cole make up the panel Jan. 9 during a launch party for the new book, "Lakewood Ranch: A Legacy of Living with the Land."
  • January 13, 2026
Lakewood Ranch hosts a launch party for book on local history
Bandleader and clarinetist Michael Drapkin said he connected with his fellow band members while performing with The Venice Symphony. The Yiddish Cowboys performed on Jan. 11 at The Education Center.
  • January 12, 2026
Yiddish Cowboys kick off Sunday Performing Arts lineup
Mark Garland, Theresa Andrews, Ann Palmer and Denise Costa prepare for the race.
  • January 11, 2026
Runners turn out on Siesta Key Beach to keep Andrew Monroe's legacy alive
Sarasota's Hasan Tezduyar gives a pat of appreciation to Rachel Apple, a wellness associate with Qualliv, at the Health and Wellness Expo at The Mall at University Town Center.
  • January 10, 2026
New Year, New You expo provides health resources at The Mall at UTC