Drought runs deep in Manatee, Sarasota

Although storms have popped up, below-normal rain will take months from which to recover.

This waterfall at Patton Park in Lakewood Ranch was being fed by heavy rainfall July 29.
Lakewood Ranch 11-year-old Finn Morris, who has been playing soccer for six years, likes competing at the Sarasota Paradise youth soccer camp.
  • July 31, 2026
Sarasota Paradise's 'language' brings kids together
Angie Elmendorf and Jon Minton, on either side of Allswell owner Tory Delany, are behind the Lakewood Ranch/UTC Foodies Restaurant Reviews Facebook page and the newly formed Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club.
  • July 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Dinner Club serves up connections
Lara Zoppe and Victoria Peddie, both of Lakewood Ranch, sing "No Reason" as Lydia and Delia in "Beetlejuice Jr.," at Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
  • July 25, 2026
Ovation School of Musical Theatre campers present 'Beetlejuice Jr.'
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event

Business

Can you eat both halves of a corned beef sandwich? You can test your skills when Wolfie's Hand Cut opens at UTC late this year.
  • July 23, 2026
Can new concept earn the bread for Wolfie's at University Town Center?
Partners Animal Hospital Lakewood Ranch hosts a ribbon cutting July 10.
  • July 13, 2026
Partners Animal Hospital opens in Lakewood Ranch
Jason Starkman, the director of operations for The Original Wolfie's and Rascal House restaurants, shows off a corned beef sandwich. Wolfie's 21 Hand Cut is coming to UTC in late November or early December.
  • July 10, 2026
Wolfie's Hand Cut headed to University Town Center
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app
Lakewood Ranch 11-year-old Finn Morris, who has been playing soccer for six years, likes competing at the Sarasota Paradise youth soccer camp.
  • July 31, 2026
Sarasota Paradise's 'language' brings kids together
Lara Zoppe and Victoria Peddie, both of Lakewood Ranch, sing "No Reason" as Lydia and Delia in "Beetlejuice Jr.," at Ovation School of Musical Theatre.
  • July 25, 2026
Ovation School of Musical Theatre campers present 'Beetlejuice Jr.'
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
Addison Gutowitz, 13, and Harriet Shore, 11, learn skills on electric guitar from 17-year-old Max Froemel in the guitar breakout session.
  • July 17, 2026
Campers come together at School of Rock Lakewood Ranch
Boston's JJ Maguire, 4, Ariel Maguire, 6, and their mom, Kasha Grabowski, wear funky hats while enjoying treats from Jeremiah's Italian Ice at the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch.
  • July 13, 2026
Despite the heat, the Farmers' Market at Lakewood Ranch is still the place to be
Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
  • July 5, 2026
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend
Kristin Hokanson, co-owner of Fiorelli Winery and mom of Jackson and Madison, says the Red, White and Blueberry Celebration is bigger and better every year and is great way to come together as a community.
  • June 27, 2026
Fiorelli Winery hosts foot-stomping music
Sisterhood for Good's Glo Reber presents Harbor58's Ari Gibbons and Annie Wilson a grant for $7,500 to go towards a mentoring program for foster kids.
  • June 26, 2026
Another monster year for Sisterhood for Good, which awards 29 grants worth $150,095