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News

A ShredQuick truck shredded paper documents at the town of Longboat Key's community open house in March 2020. Photo: Nat Kaemmerer
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 22, 2021
Longboat Key plans to host free shredding event

The event is set for 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Myakka Fire Protection District and East Manatee Fire Rescue District firefighters gather with Manatee County Commissioners to celebrate the merger of the two departments. Photo by Scott Lockwood.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • September 22, 2021
East Manatee fire departments aim for seamless transition

Commission approves East Manatee Fire Rescue's takeover of the Myakka City Fire Control District.

  • East County
  • News
Members of the city’s ad-hoc committee on the penny tax extension shared information with the public and solicited feedback at a Sept. 16 meeting at Arlington Park.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 22, 2021
Sarasota city, county leaders out to sell voters on optional sales tax

Officials are conducting public outreach as a precursor to a planned referendum on a 15-year extension of Sarasota’s infrastructure sales tax.

  • Sarasota
  • News
If the state certifies tabulation software for ranked choice voting, the city would overhaul its election process within two years. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 21, 2021
UPDATE: City pauses legal pursuit of ranked-choice voting

The city is considering partnering with an outside group on a challenge that would facilitate a change to instant runoff balloting for local elections.

  • Sarasota
  • News
SunCoast Blood Center's Diana Vitale prepares John Butzko, with Grapevine Communications, so he can donate blood.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • September 20, 2021
Lakewood Ranch blood drive helps close the gap on critical shortage

Grapevine Communications and SunCoast Blood Centers work to increase local blood donations.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighter-paramedic William Lewis and firefighter-parameic Ron Koper sit inside one of Fire Station 91's bedrooms.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 20, 2021
Longboat's north-end fire station renovations get completed

Many of the same features that went into the rebuilding of the south-end station were part of $800,000 project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Pending approval from the Town Commission, Unicorp is scheduled to break ground Oct. 25 on the St. Regis development.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 19, 2021
Longboat Key's planning board advances St. Regis revisions

Town Commissioners in October will have final say on a series of changes Unicorp wants for condo, resort plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Beverly and Bill Smock loved their life involved with the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association. Beverly Smock died Sept. 13 at 62.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 19, 2021
Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry executive dies of COVID-19

Longtime Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association executive dies at 62.

  • East County
  • News
At least eight fire-rescue units were sent to the crash Friday night of two vehicles at Myrtle Street and U.S. 301 north of downtown. (Sheriff's Office photo)
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 18, 2021
Sarasota man killed in crash on U.S. 301

Fatal crash took place around 10:43 p.m. at Myrtle Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrested a Lakewood Ranch man Thursday. The man was charged with attempted murder.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • September 17, 2021
78-year-old Lakewood Ranch man hospitalized after attack

Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies arrest 42-year-old man, who is charged with attempted homicide.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Nat Kaemmerer
  • September 17, 2021
Sarasota Chamber celebrates 101st annual meeting

About 400 members of the chamber met at the Hyatt Regency for lunch.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The FWC said the derelict boat became grounded on Aug. 10 outside of the Sands Point Condominium Association near the New Pass channel.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 16, 2021
Authorities working to remove sailboat grounded for a month on Longboat Key

The boat is stuck outside of the Sands Point Condominiums in New Pass.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Interim Police Chief George Turner is helping lead the police department through its accreditation process with the Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, which is a sect of the FDLE.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • September 16, 2021
Barancik Foundation grant helps pay for Longboat police project

Interim chief leads police department push to gain state accreditation, with financial help from group founded by Longboat Key couple killed in 2019 collision with officer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The future of the county’s downtown office building is in question, but any changes could add to a residential-leaning redevelopment trend on Ringling Boulevard that dates back to 2014. Harry Sayer
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2021
County building sale adds to evolution of Ringling corridor

The potential redevelopment of the Sarasota County Administration Center is likely years away, but it could be a piece of a larger series of changes along Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city hopes to replicate the success of the Siesta Key Breeze and mitigate traffic congestion by launching a trolley travelling from downtown to Lido Key. The service is expected to cost $1.5 million annually. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • September 16, 2021
City leaders, downtown property owners at odds over trolley funding

The City Commission is set to overrule the Downtown Improvement District’s proposed budget for the first time ever, a source of alarm among the self-taxing group.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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1
Lakewood Ranch's Rich Vannucci still wears the Santa suit his mother made for him 50 years ago.
  • December 24, 2025
After five decades, this Lakewood Ranch Santa continues to spread joy and more
2
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Itzhak Perlman conducts the 2025 Perlman Music Program Suncoast Celebration Concert.
  • December 24, 2025
Perlman Music Program Suncoast moves to central Sarasota
4
Livia Zamperlini-Ramos (left), Anna Chop (center) and Bailey Loring (right) share some joy while singing "Last Christmas."
  • December 24, 2025
Lakewood Ranch wrestlers give back to their community through caroling
5
Howard Tipton, Irwin Pastor and Susan Goldfarb stand beside the newly installed sign for The Education Center on Bay Isles Road. The center starts its winter term of programs Jan. 5.
  • December 24, 2025
Explore French art, cinematic history and more this winter

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