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News

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 26, 2019
Commissioners set final vote for beach ballot wording

Town residents would cast ballots on the measure in March.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
FCCI Insurance's Blake Perkins, John Kretkowski, Andrew Hoffa and Scott Langdon serve up Perkins' special butternut squash bisque. It's made with butternut squash, chicken stock, thyme, brown sugar and nutmeg.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • November 23, 2019
Soup for everyone in Lakewood Ranch to raise funds

Lakewood Ranch supports Meals on Wheels PLUS through Empty Bowls luncheon.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • November 22, 2019
Walk-a-thon gobbles up funds in Lakewood Ranch.

Mona Jain Middle School students, faculty and staff enjoy first-ever walk a thon before Thanksgiving break.

  • East County
  • News
A patron walks into the Frank G. Berlin Sr. branch after it changed ownership.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 22, 2019
Sarasota YMCA signs another short-term lease, hopes to make purchase of land

The new lease runs through March 31, though leaders hope to make a purchase on the properties before then.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Left turns from southbound U.S. 41 onto Fruitville Road will be restricted beginning Monday.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 22, 2019
Traffic changes planned for U.S. 41 and Fruitville Road

Some turn movements will be restricted beginning next week to accommodate the construction of a roundabout at the downtown Sarasota intersection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fruitville Elementary is one of the schools that will receive updates.
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 22, 2019
Sarasota Schools to improve hurricane shelters, add one

Taylor Ranch Elementary will be added as the 12th evacuation center in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ed Zunz
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 22, 2019
Longboat elections 2020: Five questions with Ed Zunz

Chatting with the commissioners-elect.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2019
Stolen bulldog on his way home after leading Sarasota police to burglary suspects

Maggie was stolen from a California owner in 2015.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town labor negotiator Reynolds Allen, second from left, makes a point to the Town Commission. Town Manager Tom Harmer, union president Mick McHale and union attorney Caroleen Brej listen.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • November 21, 2019
Longboat commissioners back town's proposals for police contract

In impasse resolution meeting, commissioners agree with pay-raise package and staying with town's retirement plan. Union sought access to Florida's pension system as top issue.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rosemary District resident Sue Stewart speaks with city Transportation Planner Megan Lui and Chief Transportation Planner Colleen McGue at a neighborhood meeting Thursday, Nov. 14.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
City plans routes for bikes, pedestrians

After adopting a multimodal transportation plan, the city is pursuing funding for projects such as bike lanes and multiuse trails.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The preview center at the mall will include installations such as the Her Story Walk designed to highlight major achievements by women in sports. Rendering courtesy Women's Sports Museum.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
Women’s Sports Museum preview coming to UTC

Museum organizers hope a smaller exhibit at the mall is a step toward the establishment of a permanent attraction in Sarasota.

  • East County
  • News
City Commissioner Willie Shaw stood to deliver impassioned remarks about diversity at a Nov. 5 public hearing on Selby Gardens' master plan proposal. Those comments later drew criticism from the proprietors of Michael's on East.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
Shaw questions Selby’s diversity initiatives

Comments critical of the racial makeup of the workforce at Selby Gardens and Michael’s On East draw pushback from those organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of the public filed out of the commission chambers as the County Commission discussed the adoption of a new district map.
    By
  • David Conway
  • November 21, 2019
Despite public objections, county picks new district map

Moving to redistrict ahead of the 2020 census, the Sarasota County Commission selected a controversial map based on a submission from a former Republican Party chairman.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Brynn Mechem
  • November 20, 2019
Sarasota Libraries, schools partner to bring learning tools to students

The two organizations partnered to bring ONEPass, a program that contains a variety of learning tools, to the county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key fire department is switching to this Phenix model in December. It is less traditional than the department's current helmets but is also lighter and allows for more mobility.
    By
  • Brendan Lavell
  • November 20, 2019
Longboat Key fire department switching to lighter helmets

After many Longboat Key firefighters spoke of neck pain caused by their helmets, the department decided to switch to a new model. It settled on a Phenix model that is a pound and a half lighter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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