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Neighbors

Tampa's Madi Sparks won the Most Creative division of the costume contest at Barks and Boos with 13-year-old Daisy, who seemed to enjoy her perch in a popcorn machine.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 11, 2023
UTC event at The Green features dogs in costume

Barks and Boos drew hundreds of dog-friendly patrons and vendors.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lieutenants Mark Courtenay and Maxx Jakimer
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 11, 2023
Firefighters prepare for chili cook-off

The 23rd annual Morton’s Firehouse Chili Cook-Off will be held Oct. 15.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The cast and crew of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" rehearse on Oct. 8. The show opens on Oct. 19.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch couple takes on 'The Rocky Horror Show'

The show opens at the Manatee Performing Arts Center on Oct. 19 and runs through Nov. 5.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ron Shields warms up for a competition between Longboat Key Public Tennis and the Longboat Key Club on Feb. 27, 2018.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 11, 2023
Tennis pro boosts players' excitement, social benefits with new book

Longboat tennis coach Ron Shields' guide to "Smart Doubles" teaches muscle memory techniques for recreational tennis players.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Joe Martinez conducts the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble on March 24, 2023.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • October 11, 2023
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble set to open fifth season

The band makes its season debut Oct. 15 at Peace Presbyterian Church.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Library hosted an open house for its new pop-up library.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 10, 2023
Pop-up library to bring books and services to Longboat Key

Sarasota County's mobile library visits area communities to make library resources more accessible.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Clayton Reagan, an eighth grader at Carlos E. Haile Middle School, looks at the way a pig walks, its bone structure and whether the pig has a drop in its belly before selecting a pig to show at the Manatee County Fair.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2023
What makes a perfect show pig for the Manatee County Fair?

East Bradenton students and FFA advisors talk about the qualities they seek in a show pig.

  • East County
  • Schools
The animated film "Lucy" promotes Southeastern Guide Dogs' Skilled Companion program.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 10, 2023
Southeastern Guide Dogs' animated film promotes companion program

The short film "Lucy" tells the story of a Skilled Companion dog finding her forever companion.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Grayson Tullio and Monika Oberer have built a friendship on trust, honesty and a passion for helping others.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 10, 2023
Unconditional friendship raises money for Duchenne muscular dystrophy research

Monika Oberer and Grayson Tullio's 10-year friendship has meant not only supporting each other but also raising funds to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Dr. Daren Spinelle offers accessible health care for the residents of Longboat Key at the Paradise Center Medical Suite.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 9, 2023
Doctor at The Paradise Center provides medical care for snowbirds

Dr. Daren Spinelle wants to make health care accessible for all residents even while living in Longboat part time.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Foundation is in the process of raising $175,000 to replace the remaining 25% of the big dog park and all of the small dog park in Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • October 9, 2023
Longboat Key Foundation raises money for dog park artificial turf

Jim Brown, chair of the Longboat Key Foundation, says $175,000 is needed to cover the remainder of the Bayfront Park dog parks with artificial turf.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Layla Collis and Hannah Noake, 10, hold a piglet.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • October 8, 2023
Annual Pumpkin Festival celebrates fall and supports the community

The festival entertained families with activities and a menagerie of animals, all while supporting local vendors.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Although Lakewood Ranch 8-year-old Kenny Van Slyck, 3-year-old Carmela Van Slyck, 5-year-old Angelina Van Slyck and 6-year-old Vincent Van Slyck love seeing the first responder vehicles, they also love the free snacks.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 8, 2023
Safety Town teaches children about first responders in Lakewood Ranch

Children explored first responder vehicles as they learned about what local emergency services do for the community..

  • East County
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Mirabai Holland
  • October 8, 2023
New study suggests common cancers are preventable with lifestyle changes

Adopting healthy dietary and exercise habits is a cornerstone of prevention.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Del Webb's Valerie Heyer was diagnosed in 2011 with stage four sarcoma. She says it means a lot to her that the Del Webb Breast Cancer and Beyond Walk is supporting people who are impacted by all types of cancer.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • October 7, 2023
Del Webb hosts Breast Cancer and Beyond Walk in east Bradenton

The Del Webb Breast Cancer and Beyond Walk supports those impacted by all types of cancer.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department Customer Service Specialist Ivan Zunz shakes hands with Police Chief Russ Mager at a Town Commission meeting Monday, Feb. 2. Zunz was recognized for 10 years with LKPD at the meeting.
  • February 5, 2026
Ivan Zunz recognized for a decade with LKPD
2
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
3
Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
4
The home at 3851 Tangier Terrace was built in 2024 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,379 square feet of living area.
  • February 5, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Jan. 19-23 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee

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