New impact fee may replace land acquisition fees

The town of Longboat Key hopes to replace the land acquisition fee with one that would cost developers less and go toward upgrading existing parks and recreation facilities.

From left to right: Chris Vito, Penny Sellers, Dave Boone and Cathy Boone play a game of pickleball at the multipurpose Bayfront Park courts in Longboat Key Friday, Sept. 19.
A motorcycle and car show is part of the planned activities at the 2026 installment of Thunder by the Bay.
  • February 11, 2026
Sarasota's Thunder by the Bay features music, motors and more
Taylore Lantz and Christine Sullivan walk at Waterside Place on Tuesdays at 6 p.m. as members of Run the Ranch.
  • February 11, 2026
Club gives runners opportunity to Run the Ranch
Longboat Key resident Patrice Fanning started off serving as an officiant for friends, and she is now expending her work into an official business.
  • February 11, 2026
Longboaters in love can keep it local with new wedding officiant business
Conference Chair Katherine De Young shows off a winning image. She created the photo using mannequin heads. It was featured in the 2019 "Embracing our Differences" exhibit in Sarasota.
  • February 11, 2026
Manatee Technical College to host photography conference

Arts + Culture

Jamie Saunders, Corrie Owens and Alan Kim star in FSU/Asolo Conservatory's production of "Exit, Pursued by a Bear."
  • February 11, 2026
A wolf enters and a bear exits in twin FSU/Asolo Conservatory plays
LaMichael Leonard Jr.'s dance career has taken him to New York and Paris and back to Sarasota.
  • February 10, 2026
International dance star comes home to Sarasota
Puerto Rican singer and rapper Bad Bunny poses with Sarasota Orchestra maestro Giancarlo Guerrero and Guerrero's wife, Shirley, before Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, California.
  • February 9, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra maestro performs at Super Bowl LX Halftime Show
"Baby Wings" and other glass art by Tom Marosz will be on display at Chasen Galleries' International Weekend of Glass from Feb. 13-15.
  • February 9, 2026
International Glass Weekend celebrates many facets of glass art
Work by Janet Echelman in “Radical Softness” at Sarasota Art Museum through April 26.
  • February 6, 2026
New creations, global voices, celebrations light up our cultural horizon
Danny Bernardy demonstrates research with a theatrical flair to Greg Ball in Florida Studio Theatre's "The Blue-Sky Boys."
  • February 4, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre shoots for the moon with 'The Blue-Sky Boys'
The Sarasota County Operations Center (East County) was honored with a plaque.
  • February 10, 2026
Sarasota Garden Club hosts Civic Beautification Awards
Second grader Sovereign Osceola experiences static electricity.
  • February 9, 2026
Wilkinson Elementary makes concepts hands-on during STEAM Night
Frank Martucci, joined by Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding and his wife, Katherine Martucci, explains what compelled him to give back his 50/50 raffle winnings from the Lawn Party to support the Children's Guardian Fund.
  • February 8, 2026
Kiwanians present record-breaking check from Lawn Party
Sue Hobbs holds the iridescent shell of the green turban sea snail to the light.
  • February 7, 2026
Sarasota Shell and Marine Life Festival showcases the science and art of seashells
Lakehouse Cove's 16-month-old Hunter Colon shows his excitement to be inside a fire truck at the Celebrate Our First Responders event Feb. 7 at the Greenbrook Adventure Park.
  • February 7, 2026
Lakewood Ranch CERT hosts the Celebrate Our First Responders event
Second graders Jordan Davis, Dominic Michalo and Sloan Middleton wave flags of Puerto Rico, which was the country they were assigned for the Tara Elementary School Olympics.
  • February 7, 2026
Tara Elementary hosts its own Winter Olympics
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
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