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News

According to the 2020 census, Manatee County had population of 406,945 residents. District 5, which encompasses the Lakewood Ranch area, had the highest number of residents with 97,536. Graphic provided by Manatee County.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • October 16, 2021
Manatee County commissioners set to discuss redistricting

Growth in eastern Manatee County has make the districts' populations uneven.

  • East County
  • News
Norma and Tom McCarthy stand outside of their Gulfshore home. The couple has lived in Longboat Key since 2001. They made Gulfshore their full-time residence in 2009.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2021
Gulfshore residents oppose proposed height requirements

Owners of mobile homes worry that potential new rules on flood-elevation could make fixing up or replacing their residences difficult to live with.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
David Brooks and Matthew Jones
    By
  • Harry Sayer
  • October 15, 2021
Firefighters prepare for Sunday chili competition

21st Morton's Firehouse Cook-off pits first-responders against each other in a culinary conflagration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Town Projects Manager Charlie Mopps, Longboat Key Turtle Watch Vice President Cyndi Seamon, Omar Lopez of Taylor Engineering, 360 North resident Roger Field and Planning and Zoning Board member Paul Hylbert met Friday
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • October 15, 2021
Plans begin to take shape for new North Shore beach entrance

North-end residents have advocated for improvements to the beach entrance at 100 N. Shore Road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
James Badge Dale in "The Empty Man." Photo via HBO Max.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • October 14, 2021
Cringe Blog: "The Skeleton Key" and "The Empty Man" bring the atmospheric horror

"The Skeleton Key" is on Peacock, and "The Empty Man" is on HBO Max.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Vintage circus posters will be on display at Selby Gardens’ annual Orchid Show that runs Oct. 9 to Nov. 28.
    By
  • Andréa Martone
  • October 14, 2021
Circus aerialists and orchids share high wire at Selby

The Ringling teams up with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens to add a circus element to its annual orchid show.

  • Arts + Culture
Author Mary Walton (left) stands with Sue Ann Miller prior to the start of Wednesday's luncheon. Miller headlined the event, which was the first major fundraiser for the Friends of the East County Library. Photo by Scott Lockwood
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • October 14, 2021
Friends host fundraiser for East County Library in Lakewood Ranch

After a long delay, the Friends of the East County Library host an author's luncheon at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 14, 2021
A century of faith in Myakka City

The church was established in 1921 and has since survived hurricanes, merges and ever-changing congregations.

  • East County
  • News
Dr. Jim Dobies (left) and Practice Manager Janette Blanco get set to open the doors to the new Urgent Vet clinic in Lakewood Ranch on Thursday. The clinic specializes in after-hours care and emergencies. Photo by Scott Lockwood.
    By
  • Scott Lockwood
  • October 14, 2021
Urgent Vet opens new location in Lakewood Ranch

Animal clinic specializing in after-hours care comes to Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
City Manager Marlon Brown said he wants to promote internal candidates when appropriate, but he’s leaning on community input to guide his search for a new police chief. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 14, 2021
Citizen input to guide police chief search

Tasked with hiring a police chief twice in less than a year, City Manager Marlon Brown is taking a more deliberate approach to filling the vacancy the second time around.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Luxe on Tenth apartment project includes some affordable units to comply with city regulations, but a representative for the developer said the review process serves as a barrier to the production of low-cost residences.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 14, 2021
City’s development approval process under review

Officials are once again searching for opportunities to improve the development review process, though previous proposals have proven divisive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former City Commissioner Willie Shaw spoke in favor of maintaining the city’s council-manager government at Monday’s Charter Review Committee meeting.
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 14, 2021
Charter committee gears up for strong mayor discussion

On several occasions in the past 25 years, the city has debated the merits of having an elected mayor. Will the outcome of the latest conversation be any different than the last half-dozen?

  • Sarasota
  • News
Although visitors can currently find short-term bookings in Sarasota on sites such as Airbnb, some of those rentals may not be legal — though Mayor Hagen Brody wants the city to reconsider its regulations. Image via Airbnb
    By
  • David Conway
  • October 14, 2021
Commission to discuss hosted rental policy

After a yearlong delay, city officials will consider legalizing short-term rentals when the homeowner remains on the property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
ResClubs CEO Craig Williamson and Heritage Harbour Golf Club & Eatery's Mark Bruce and Rick Nelson talked to the public about resort opportunities.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 13, 2021
Plans revealed for Heritage Harbour Golf Resort and Lodge in east Bradenton

ResClubs joins with Heritage Harbour Golf Club and Eatery to create a golf resort in east Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Chris McComas, the owner of MVP Sports and Social, and Mike Tuohy, a head golf professional, look forward to MVP's golf tournament to raise money for the MVP Feel Good Fund.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 13, 2021
Lakewood Ranch's MVP Sports and Social creates charity to help strangers

The MVP Feel Good Fund of Lakewood Ranch provides monetary donations to random people to spread kindness.

  • East County
  • News
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City Auditor and Clerk Shayla Griggs and City Attorney Joe Polzak recently shepherded the City Commissioner's search for a new city manager.
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Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend

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