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News

Five-year-old Tiana Haywood walks with mom Reva Kates to her kindergarten class at Tuttle Elementary School on the first day of school. Sarasota County Schools will now require students and staff to wear masks indoors. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 20, 2021
Sarasota County School Board adopts mask mandate

At an emergency meeting that drew more than two hours of public input, a split board voted to defy state regulations and require masks for students and staff for the next 90 days.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering shared at today’s Planning Commission meeting showed plans for a hotel at Calle Miramar and Beach Road on Siesta Key. Rendering via Sarasota County.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 20, 2021
Planning Commission endorses Siesta Key hotel plan

Despite lengthy public testimony in opposition from island residents, the county advisory board supported applications tied to a Siesta Key Village hotel.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Cardno Senior Consultant Chris White and UF/IFAS Extension Agent Michelle Atkinson say additional plants greatly reduce nutrients that pour into stormwater ponds.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2021
New filtering ideas planted in Lakewood Ranch and Bradenton ponds

University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences studies the effect of additional plant life around Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton ponds.

  • East County
  • News
Sales Manager Jim Greenley holds a bottle of La Gerla Brunello in front of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits' Wines of Distinction case.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2021
ABC Fine Wine & Spirits opens Lakewood Ranch store

ABC liquors opens

  • East County
  • Business
Roskamp Institute launched the Red Tide Project in June 2019.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 19, 2021
Sarasota nonprofit hits two-year mark on red tide study

Researchers are looking into the effects of red tide on human health.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lizzy, Aaron and Charlie Westrip are all accomplished runners. Photo by Jay Heater
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 19, 2021
Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old with autism wins national triathlon title

Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old runs to world records, triathlon titles despite being autistic.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key has reestablished some of its COVID-19-related protocols. Anyone entering Town Hall will need to wear a mask and undergo a temperature check before being seated.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 19, 2021
Longboat Key reestablishes mask requirement in town facilities

On Wednesday, the town of Longboat Key reestablished some of its COVID-19-related protocols.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic was bumper-to-bumper Tuesday night on the Ringling Bridge from St. Armands Circle to downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 19, 2021
Longboaters concerned about U.S. 41 roundabout construction

Gridlock traffic on Tuesday prompted frustration among drivers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
As the city seeks to emulate events such as Lakewood Ranch's Music on Main concert series, downtown stakeholders are still undecided on key details, such as whether Main Street will be closed. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2021
Downtown group explores First Friday options

The Downtown Improvement District is slated to choose a partner for organizing monthly pedestrian-oriented events at a meeting next month.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Save Siesta Key board members Tracy Jackson and John Davidson are part of an effort to submit an incorporation proposal to the state ahead of a Sept. 1 deadline. File photo
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 19, 2021
Siesta Key group readies incorporation submission

Save Siesta Key is in the closing stretch of a signature-gathering campaign in support of an independent island government.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
City commissioners Erik Arroyo and Hagen Brody led the push to include a list of pros and cons in the packet the city provides to property owners seeking historic designation. File photo.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2021
City revises historic preservation application

The City Commission is moving to adjust the information it provides to property owners seeking a historic designation, a proposal that divided elected officials.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mark Stevens, president of Stevens Construction, Greg Bartoli, PopStroke founder, and Bryon Bell, president of TGR Design, get busy with shovels at the PopStroke groundbreaking at UTC in Sarasota.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 18, 2021
Tiger Woods' PopStroke breaks ground at UTC in Sarasota

PopStroke, designed by Tiger Woods and his TGR team, breaks ground at Sarasota's University Town Center.

  • East County
  • News
The Ohana owners have put signage on their private property to prevent people from trespassing.
    By
  • Mark Bergin
  • August 18, 2021
Beach, interrupted: Owner of unique Longboat property ends public access

The Ohana estate seawall for decades has extended far enough to often be in the surf.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Grant, a 1-year-old puppy, has been living with Lakewood Ranch's Teresa Will. He'll go to university at Southeastern Guide Dog's campus in Palmetto in October for more training.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • August 18, 2021
Southeastern Guide Dogs needs more puppy raisers in Lakewood Ranch

Southeastern Guide Dogs seeks puppy raisers in the Lakewood Ranch area.

  • East County
  • News
Some members of the public said the city should solicit proposals from other interested parties, but multiple commissioners felt that would be unfair to the group that submitted the hotel and grocery store plan. File rendering.
    By
  • David Conway
  • August 18, 2021
City advances consideration of St. Armands hotel proposal

A majority of the City Commission spoke positively about a plan to build a hotel and grocery store on the site of the Fillmore Drive parking lot, though some members of the public had reservations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Art show upcoming this weekend

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