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Short rides pitched to solve downtown Sarasota's parking woes

A condo group representative advocates for point-to-point transit options to make it easy for nearby residents to frequent businesses downtown.

An example of what a downtown Sarasota point-to-point shuttle might look like.

Latest News

1
  • December 11, 2025
Thousands of new residences are planned now and soon in downtown
Construction of the Ritz-Carlton Residences II in The Quay. The project will add 78 condos to downtown.
2
  • December 11, 2025
Are complaints worth additional vacation rental oversight?
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
3
  • December 10, 2025
Cannons Marina boats burglarized of more than $40,000 of equipment
Cannons Marina is at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. The 70-plus year-old business started as a fish camp in the late 40s opened by Ernie Cannon.
4
  • December 10, 2025
Town of Longboat has questions after property valuations decrease
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
5
  • December 10, 2025
Longboat firefighter receives rare Medal of Honor award for action
Firefighter paramedic Aaron Maness and Training Captain David Eggleston raise their hands to recite an oath before receiving their badges. The two had already completed their training but had not officially received their badges in a ceremony. Maness was later awarded the Medal of Honor by Fire Chief Paul Dezzi.

Neighbors

A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday
Harbor58 volunteers and Manatee County commissioners put the first shovels in the ground Nov. 17.
  • December 10, 2025
Harbor58 breaks ground on $4.5 million housing project in Manatee County
Sarasota Deputy Police Chief Scott Mayforth delights a young shopper at a previous Shop with a Cop event.
  • December 10, 2025
Shop with a Cop event returns Saturday
Martha McKlveen, a Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center volunteer and donor, is eager for Kitty City to be able to support more cats that are in need, just like the over 1,000 she has fostered since 2009.
  • December 9, 2025
Kitty City built at Nate's Honor with $250,000 donation from volunteer

Arts + Culture

The moon rises as German and English troops gather together in "No Man's Land" to celebrate the birth of Christ in Asolo Rep's "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914."
  • December 10, 2025
'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914' returns to Historic Asolo Theater
Jolly (Flynn Nolen, center) is surrounded by the other characters including Candy (Christiana Allison), Mrs. Claus (Jillian Hurley), Jangle (Ray Barber), Tinsel (Vanessa Smith), Jingle (Mareece Love) and Santa Claus (Dellan Short).
  • December 9, 2025
'Deck the Halls' celebrates the holidays, Sarasota-style
Struggling artists on New York's Lower East Side hope for better days in Sarasota Players' production of Jonathan Larson's "Rent."
  • December 9, 2025
'Rent' weaves a 'tapestry of music and story' at The Sarasota Players
Lijana Wallenda perches on a chair balanced on a shoulder bar carried by her brother Nik Wallenda and Paul Matthew Lopez in the "Wonderland: Believe" circus, which runs through Jan. 4 in a big top near the UTC Mall.
  • December 3, 2025
At the Wonderland circus, it's a Wallenda-ful life

Cops Corner

  • December 10, 2025
Clogged toilet plunges landlord and tenant into eviction

A renter threatens to zip-tie a property owner over a plumbing issue in an ongoing whirlpool of discontent. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • December 9, 2025
Woman discovers she is being followed by PI in Longboat Key

A woman called police who helped identify the man following her in a gray sedan as a private investigator. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

Eat + Drink

CEO Mike Bisaha says the new equipment will at least triple Big Top Brewing Co.'s beer production.
  • December 3, 2025
Big Top to open expanded brew house at Sarasota's Fruitville Commons

An upgraded brewing system will more than triple Big Top's beer production.

Food + Beer's brunch burger ($11) takes sausage gravy to another level.
  • November 30, 2025
Where to celebrate National Biscuits and Gravy Day

You don't have to wait until Dec. 14 to jump on board the gravy train and tuck into the best biscuits in town.

Instead of a ribbon, a 180-pound blue fin tuna will be cut to celebrate the grand opening of Kuro Sushi.
  • November 22, 2025
Kuro Sushi rolls into Lakewood Ranch

Instead of a ribbon-cutting, the grand opening celebration included a tuna-cutting ceremony.

A perfectly seared cowboy ribeye — one of B&B's signature cuts — served with a loaded baked potato and bourbon-lacquered flair.
  • November 21, 2025
The story behind a refined steakhouse experience with hometown heart

B&B Chophouse & Market in Lakewood Ranch delivers classic cuts and modern flair and lets guests take the flavor home.

Schools

Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce

At Manatee Technical College, Project Edge is transitional program for students with intellectual disabilities to learn foundational skills.

Seniors Gavin Moore, Abigail Frint and Ryan Johnson were among 12 students at Lakewood Ranch High School to set up and spread the word about the opportunities available at the new College and Career Center.
  • December 9, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High's College and Career Center makes its debut
Eighth grader Mikayla Ross works with teacher Joseph Conner.
  • December 4, 2025
Tutoring nonprofit helps raise students' success rates
Over the past 25 years at Braden River Middle School, Kathleen Brown has taught sixth and seventh grade math, U.S. History, and Civics. Her principal,  Kimberlain Zenon, described her as a lifelong learner who is solution driven, tenacious, knowledgeable and collaborative.
  • December 2, 2025
3 east Manatee school employees are finalists for excellence awards
Marfil Trejo, the command sergeant major for the Braden River High Raiders, crosses the rope bridge at the Florida High School JROTC Raider State Championship on Nov. 15.
  • November 22, 2025
Braden River JROTC team wins state title
Fourth grade students Liam Aikin, Tate Brase, Raymond Burdick and Madden Dabek will be fifth graders next year and will only have one class above them when sixth grade opens at Lake Manatee K-8.
  • November 19, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 to open middle school in phases

Sports

Mason Jordan poses for a photo on Dec. 8 outside the entrance to Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School. The slot receiver is in his fourth and final season on varsity and is the second-leading pass-catcher for the Cougars.
  • December 11, 2025
Family legacy endures with Cardinal Mooney wide receiver

Mason Jordan, a longtime starter for the Cougars, is the latest in a line of elite athletes.

Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury
Paisley Binswanger poses for a photo. The four-year varsity player hopes to reach 1,500 points and 300 assists by the time her career with Sarasota High girls basketball concludes in February 2026.
  • December 10, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Paisley Binswanger
Four boys compete for Sarasota Scullers in the Plant High Winter Sprints on Dec. 6 at Nathan Benderson Park. The Scullers, founded in 1991, are hosting a fundraiser on Dec. 13 to build back from damages suffered during past hurricane seasons.
  • December 9, 2025
Sarasota Scullers pursue 1 million meters
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship
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Things To Do

Many holiday events took place the first weekend of December, but there are still plenty of opportunities for festive fun to have on the keys.
  • December 11, 2025
Catch Santa on Longboat Key before Christmas
A Kwanzaa display rests on the table during the event.
  • December 11, 2025
Kwanzaa celebration prepares community for the holiday
Paul Nicholas and David Cantor form an unlikely friendship in Florida Studio Theatre's "A Tailor Near Me."
  • December 9, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 11-17

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Opinion

1
  • December 10, 2025
  • By Jay Heater
'Lakewood Ranch — A Legacy of Living with the Land' is a fun history lesson
2
  • December 10, 2025
  • By Adrian Moore
Will some of us say goodbye to property taxes?
3
  • December 9, 2025
  • By Letter to the Editor
Why should e-bikes be forced into danger?

Real Estate

The Unit 1106 condominium at 1155 N. Gulfstream Ave. was built in 2017 and has two bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths and 1,701 square feet of living area.
  • December 11, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
The Unit 154 condominium at 556 Spanish Drive N. sold for $385,000.
  • December 10, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key
A Wild Blue at Waterside home at 1058 Blue Shell Loop sold for $3.25 million. Built in 2025, it has five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,607 square feet of living area.
  • December 9, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Nov. 24-28 in Lakewood Ranch

Photo Galleries

Santa Claus welcomes Ketia Alennsia Joachim, Henry Lerricia Jeanbaptiste and John Kerry Jeanbaptiste for a morning of family holiday fun at Stillpoint Mission. Longboat Island Chapel and other local groups helped make the Dec. 6 toy distribution happen.
  • December 9, 2025
Stillpoint Mission brings holiday spirit to community
Emily Burns and Jack Coleman of Poppo's Taqueria dish up their popular pork tacos at the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key's Lawn Party on Dec. 6 at Ken Thompson Park.
  • December 8, 2025
Longboat's Lawn Party returns following hurricane hiatus
Susan Borden, Kelli Veit and Nancy Harris shared a bit about the goods and games available at Temple Beth Israel's Hanukkah open house on Dec. 7.
  • December 8, 2025
Temple Beth Israel hosts Hanukkah open house for third year
With a sparkle in his eye and a wave of the hand, jolly old St. Nick illuminated the lights on St. Armands Circle's 60-foot Christmas tree at a lighting festival on Dec. 5.
  • December 7, 2025
St. Armands celebrates magical Christmas tree lighting
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Fest Dec. 6.
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
Myakka City 12-year-old Aliyah Burnett helps her neighbor, Corinn Smith of Blissful Goat Yoga, with the goats. She dressed them in Christmas outfits for Ranch Nite Wednesday Dec. 3.
  • December 5, 2025
Goats are another reason to attend Ranch Nite Wednesdays in Lakewood Ranch
The moon shines between a pair of "Florida Reindeer."
  • December 4, 2025
Holiday display at Selby Gardens boasts over 2 million lights
Kymistrii Young (left), Elijah Golden (center) and Macaiden Brown (right) listen to coach Jared Clark's speech during Cardinal Mooney's early signing period ceremony.
  • December 3, 2025
Cardinal Mooney and Booker football celebrate 11 early signees
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years
The home at 1310 South Lake Shore Drive is built in the style of a Renaissance mansion.
  • December 1, 2025
$26.4 million Sarasota home evokes Renaissance styling
Piper Dawson checks out was she dubbed her favorite tree decorated by Lo' Key Island Grille at the opening evening of Christmas in the Garden on Nov. 30 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • December 1, 2025
Christmas comes early to Longboat's north end
Sarasota's David Farr picks up 21-month-old Henry Farr, who is dazzled by the giant ornaments on the tree on The Green during the Mall at UTC's ongoing holiday celebration.
  • December 1, 2025
Families flock to UTC for the holidays
Siesta Key Oyster Bar co-founder Geno Pedigo, and Zach Steffen, prepare to ride out.
  • November 30, 2025
Kids and families find cheer at Siesta Key Holiday Parade
Siesta Key's Owen Slater, 5, loves animals and couldn't leave the market without getting a homemade octopus from Stitch Fabels, which took 10 hours to make.
  • November 28, 2025
Market at Nathan Benderson Park provides midweek shopping
Runners pack the starting area for the 2025 Florida Turkey Trot Nov. 27 at foggy Nathan Benderson Park. The race had a record 4,558 participants.
  • November 27, 2025
Record 4,558 runners participate in 2025 Florida Turkey Trot
Despite their 30 year age difference, Marge DeSimone and Courtney Barr have become great friends and share a deep love for Nikki, Barr's 7-year-old Bordoodle. They compete in dock diving to keep all of the "Three Musketeers," as Barr said, active and engaged.
  • November 26, 2025
Dock-diving dog helps two single women form a bond of friendship in Myakka
Lakewood Ranch sisters Mariapaz Ritter, 7 and Analia Ritter, 12, got their faces painted by Akiko Graphics at the at Greenbrook Adventure Park. Mariapaz chose a peace sign because "paz" the last part of her name means peace in Spanish and Analia chose daisies because they are her favorite flowers.
  • November 24, 2025
Greenbrook Adventure Park reopens with a fun day
Miriam Cornell and James Garlanger of Bear Gully Creek Farms talk with Cornell's mother, Sharon Cornell, and Jim Sroka.
  • November 23, 2025
Perfect weather yields steady turnout for Sarasota Farmers Market
Mark Lorah created a Lego version of the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, Georgia.
  • November 23, 2025
Lego artists show their imagination in Sarasota's first BrickUniverse
Geoff Levin, Marcy Klein, Steven Goodman and Patricia Courtois volunteer at the Van Wezel.
  • November 23, 2025
All Faiths Food Bank works to distribute record number of turkeys
Alison and Eloise Fichner snap a photo with Santa Claus at Light Up Longboat on Nov. 22 at the Town Center Green.
  • November 23, 2025
Families partake in early-season cheer at Light Up Longboat
Instead of a ribbon, a 180-pound blue fin tuna will be cut to celebrate the grand opening of Kuro Sushi.
  • November 22, 2025
Kuro Sushi rolls into Lakewood Ranch
Rabbi Jessica Spitalnic Mates delivers the central sermon at the 45th interfaith Thanksgiving service hosted by St. Armands Key Lutheran Church on Nov. 18. She was joined by SAKLC's Rev. Kenneth Blyth, Longboat Island Chapel's Rev. Brock Patterson, Christ Church of Longboat Key's Rev. Julia Piermont, All Angels by the Sea Episcopal Church's Rev. David Marshall and St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church's Fr. Robert Dziedziak.
  • November 19, 2025
Religious leaders across faiths celebrate unity for Thanksgiving
Sheena Works, Sebastian Works, 7, Alissa Silvers, and Isabella Coulton, 7, pose together in front of the mural.
  • November 19, 2025
Community unites to paint mural at Arlington Park
Bird Key Yacht Club General Manager Tammy Hackney and Commodore Tony Britt donned the hard hats for the official groundbreaking of the new clubhouse on Nov. 13 at the site of the former facility.
  • November 19, 2025
Bird Key leaders break ground on new yacht club facilities

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