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News

Many St. Armands residents returned home after Hurricane Idalia to find two feet or more of water on their streets and inside their homes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 14, 2023
St. Armands drainage system can't keep up with 'perfect storm'

Designed for a 25-year rain event, St. Armands Key's pump and baffle network was overwhelmed by storm surge combined with king tide from Hurricane Idalia.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commissioners and dignitaries board a bus to have the honor of taking the first official trip on the 44th Avenue Bridge across the Braden River on Aug. 7.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Road projects continue in east Bradenton to address growth

With 5,000 homes added in Manatee County annually, road projects across East County speed forward.

  • East County
  • News
A conceptual plan for Payne Park Auditorium shows expansions to the building in dark gray and 96 spaces of paved parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 13, 2023
Preliminary Payne Park Auditorium plans revealed to public

The Players Centre for Performing Arts unveiled a conceptual plan for the expansion and renovation of Payne Park Auditorium during a community workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The beach landscape of the Gulfside Road public beach access changed after Hurricane Idalia, now exposing an old sea wall.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Longboat's beaches withstood Idalia's surge, but flooding still prevailed. How?

The beaches helped protect Longboat Key's gulf side, but bayfront properties don't share those same protections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This cat is waiting to move to her permanent home at the Lakewood Ranch EMS station.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2023
Manatee County sends feisty cats to work

The Working Cat Program by the county's Animal Service Division allows residents to adopt feral cats to control vermin.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Hiser, the new executive director at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, has been around horses his whole life. He looks forward to taking on his new role.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Riding therapy nonprofit welcomes new executive director

Mark Hiser wants to use his experience of working with "misfit horses" to expand the programming at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Business
The existing signs for The Town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Millage rate, town staffing key focus of Longboat budget hearing

The first public hearing for Longboat Key’s fiscal year 2024 budget included a change to the millage rate and public comment about the personnel increase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners were all present and ready to kick off the first meeting back on Sept. 11.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Public concern, project updates kick off Town Commission’s return

The Sept. 11 regular commission meeting included concerns about emergency dispatch, undergrounding updates and a few resolutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charlie Bishop has been named the permanent Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Charlie Bishop named Manatee County administrator

Commissioners went away from the search company's suggestions to name Bishop, who has served shortly as the interim.

  • East County
  • News
Sea turtle nests are marked with bright yellow stakes connected with fluorescent tape. This is meant to protect them from beach rakers and everyday beachgoers.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Sea turtle nesting season, ordinance continue through Oct. 31

There could still be unmarked nests and others could still hatch, said the Longboat Key Turtle Watch vice president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners Penny Gold, Gary Coffin and BJ Bishop were appointed to serve on committees with the Florida League of Cities.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Longboat commissioners appointed to Florida League of Cities committees

Three Longboat Key town commissioners will join statewide committees to exchange ideas with other local officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joan Leonard, the community liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch, hopes the shelves can be fully stocked with blood for the next hurricane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
SunCoast Blood Centers seeks donations as hurricane season continues

The Lakewood Ranch blood center wants a full blood supply in preparation for more storms.

  • East County
  • News
Reverend Randall LaRoche and his wife Heidi attend a planning commission meeting on Aug. 10 with about 25 other Elwood Park residents. Heidi LaRoche came up with the idea for everyone to wear matching Elwood Park T-shirts when attending commission meetings. She makes the T-shirts, too.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2023
History trumps density in Manatee County's Elwood Park

The 650-acre, 100-year-old neighborhood has fended off two developers over the past year.

  • East County
  • News
The first phase of Sarasota Station by One Stop Housing on Fruitville Road is planned for 201 units, at least 20% of them priced at or below the range for 80% of the area median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2023
Housing ordinance approved, incentivizing affordable units downtown

The Sarasota City Commission approved incentives for public parking and attainable housing, though the lack of public input remains a point of contention.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cafe L'Europe is temporarily closed as they repair the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2023
Cafe L'Europe closes temporarily for repairs after Hurricane Idalia damage

Phase 3 of the restaurant's renovation is postponed until next summer to focus on adding new menu items and maintaining their atmosphere.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
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Latest News

1
Brittany Lamont and Nicole Hackel congratulate Jacob Kinsel of the Manatee Education 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
2
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
3
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
4
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout
5
It’s time to remove our own regimes
  • May 15, 2026
It’s time to remove our own regimes

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