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Neighbors

Children will have two free Halloween-themed events they can attend this week hosted by the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and East Manatee Fire Rescue.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 22, 2025
Sheriff's Office, East Manatee Fire Rescue to host Halloween events

The two free events, at the Sheriff's Operations Center in Bradenton and Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch, will have goodies and activities for kids.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Despite choppy conditions, the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees finished last Sunday's show with a grand finale three-tier pyramid.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Catch the Ski-A-Rees before winter break

The family tradition continues with third-generation performers.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Dave Tomasko, outgoing executive director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program, has always appreciated maintaining a close connection with the area's waterways. Now, he is returning to the private sector.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Outgoing estuary program director proud of work on waterways

Sarasota Bay Estuary Program Executive Director Dave Tomasko is proud of how he's helped improve local waterways and now looks to make broader systemic changes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mallory Park embraces all things eerie in October.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Mallory Park of Lakewood Ranch turns creepy — in a good way

The normally quaint neighborhood turns haunted for Halloween.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rex Jensen will have his name added to the C. John A. Clark Humanitarian Award plaque at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch as the 2025 honoree.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 22, 2025
Developing Lakewood Ranch with a humanitarian's touch

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch's Rex Jensen honored for creating an environment that leads to giving.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Trey Bowlin, Zach Schield, Tyler Brunton and Jamison Urch hoist the 25th Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off trophy high as they take home first place for the Longboat Fire Rescue team.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 21, 2025
Longboat Fire smokes competition in chili cook-off

At the 25th annual Morton's Chili Cook-Off with other local first responders, Longboat Fire Rescue took home the top prize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joe Rendace and Amber Nelson are eager to read and critique each other's work through the Novel and Screenplay Critique Group in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 21, 2025
Lakewood Ranch writers come together to critique one another's work

The Novel and Screenplay Critique Group is led by Joe Rendace, who says feedback is important to create successful stories.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Choir member Nick Masiello brings congregants to tears with his rendition of "Bring Him Home" from "Les Misérables" at a special Shabbat service on Oct. 17, recognizing hostages of the Gaza-Israel conflict.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Longboat temple lights candles for war hostages

Members of Temple Beth Israel offered a musical tribute to the survivors and victims of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tara Piedra, and Ariel Betancourt and Michael Matheis of Station 9, prepare chili.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 20, 2025
Firefighters turn up the heat at chili cook-off

The 25th annual Morton's Firehouse Chili Cook-Off brought together various fire departments for chili-making competition and camaraderie.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch Prep Band Director Jay Belmont has not only given the new Big Band a place to play, but he has joined the band as well.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 20, 2025
Those who want to join the Lakewood Ranch Big Band need to sound off

Polo Run's Chuck Huffine is seeking interested musicians.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Leisa Wilhelm leads her boyfriend Austin Bronkhorst across the park.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 20, 2025
Families enjoy a fun Sarasota evening at Boo! at The Bay

The park became a festive Halloween scene with a spooky trail, trick-or-treating, pumpkin painting and other activities.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Noah Roman, 5, his mother Kiersten Perez, Salem Friday, 4, her mother Tabitha Lenz, and brother Teddy Friday, 2, came dressed for the season.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 20, 2025
Sarasota community enjoys the beat at Rocktoberfest

The event featured live music, Oktoberfest cuisine, crafts and other offerings.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Patron Disha Webb tries on a ring crafted by artist Julia Bernadsky at last weekend's fine art festival on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Fine art festival showcases unique media

From resin-coated metalwork to wearable art clothing, the artists at this weekend's art festival on St. Armands Circle offered interesting finds for connoisseurs.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mike McCullough at the Christ Church hurricane relief food drive.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 20, 2025
Christ Church to host welcome-back food drive

The church invites community members to help make its annual food drive for Our Daily Bread of Bradenton a success.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Asolo Rep on Tour performs an adaptation of Alice in Wonderland at Waterside Place Oct. 17.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 18, 2025
Asolo Rep turns Waterside Place into a Wonderland

An adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland" was the latest offering from Lakewood Ranch's Sights and Sounds series.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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1
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
2
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship
3
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
  • December 6, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre receives anonymous $1 million gift
4
Sarasota Police on Monday recovered a sunken, capsized boat from Hudson Bayou that had been swamped for more than three years.
  • December 6, 2025
Long-abandoned boat removed by Sarasota Police
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  • December 5, 2025
Sarasota Concert Association presents the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra

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