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Neighbors

Jared Thomas, 8; Penelope Brouillette, 7; and Sebastian Meehan, 8, chalk the trail together.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 24, 2026
Kids use sidewalk chalk to decorate the trail at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

The city of Sarasota hosted its first "Chalk the Trail" event at Arlington Park & Aquatic Complex

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event

The daycare's 3- and 4-year-olds join the instructors in an event where being happy is the goal.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees at the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception

The chapel gave scholarship awards to five students this year as they study everything from performing arts to criminology.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cindy and Chris Common
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 23, 2026
Final Manasota Track Club beach run to memorialize late members

A costume contest honors Chris and Cindy Common's legacy of wearing impressive costumes to local charity runs.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Helen Hreen, Alliance Française de Sarasota president; Catherine White Barbara Frey and Maggie Edwy stand beside a replica of the Eiffel Tower at Bastille Day.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 23, 2026
Alliance Française de Sarasota forges ahead with educational offerings

The local organization, which promotes the French language and culture, is branching out through a new partnership.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Kyle McCreight participates in the Eastern Regional Qualifiers in 2026.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 22, 2026
4-time 'American Ninja Warrior' contestant isn't done trying to reach national finals

Sarasota’s Kyle McCreight hopes his performances on the show can inspire others, including the kids he works with as an occupational therapist.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Mother-daughter duo Bridgette, left, and Giana Clark make a doubly positive difference in their community by monitoring sea turtle nests and clearing litter from the beach as volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch. The group recently celebrated seeing their new "Adopt A Shore" signage.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 22, 2026
Clean beaches are a 'shore' thing under Turtle Watch's eye

Volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch are celebrating the return of their "Adopt A Shore" signage as their busy sea turtle nesting season continues.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble brings together professional and high skilled musicians.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 22, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble eyes new venue

The ensemble is working with the district in hopes of using the new Rangeland High School theater.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Multiple species of starfish have found a home on the "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 21, 2026
Longboat's living seawall recognized for creativity

The town was given the Environmental Stewardship Award for its living seawall installation at Bayfront Park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Melinda Zarzycki-Harris, founder and executive director of Bring on the Ministry, and Pastor Julia Wharff Piermont of Christ Church of Longboat Key are all smiles with their new ministry partnership.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen
  • July 21, 2026
Christ Church gets new charitable partner

Christ Church of Longboat Key and Bring on the Ministry are now working together.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tom Bleakley's "The Preacher" follows a young Detroit lawyer who takes on the defense of a woman charged with the killing of her husband. It is co-authored by Marcia Krajewski, another Lakewood Ranch resident.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 21, 2026
Lakewood Ranch author uses 50-year law career to write fiction novels

Eighty-five-year-old Tom Bleakley released his novel "The Preacher" in February.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Maestro Kenneth Bowermeister, conductor of Strings Con Brio, welcomes a full house to the orchestra's first performance on Longboat Key on July 16 at Temple Beth Israel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 20, 2026
Debut summer orchestra show draws 150 music lovers

A 40-piece group from Strings Con Brio performed at Temple Beth Israel, packing the house with the off-season show.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A cownose ray waves a wingtip at onlookers from the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort lagoon on Friday after caretakers introduced half a dozen pups to the enclosure. Resident rays had the babies in December, and experts released the adolescents into the Under the Sea Lagoon.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 20, 2026
Half-dozen baby rays debut at St. Regis lagoon

The aquatic care team introduced the adolescent cownose rays to the Longboat resort's outdoor enclosure and shared another surprise.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Key Police Department has four vessels in its marine fleet, including a 26-foot Boston Whaler that is out of commission awaiting repairs to its canopy.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 19, 2026
LBK Foundation asks for community help with police boat repair fundraiser

A $7,000 donation by a Longboat family will cover about half of the repairs, and the Longboat Key Foundation is asking for donations to bridge the remaining gap.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Toby reaches up to greet a new helping of foam.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 18, 2026
Dog Bar Sarasota celebrates one-year anniversary

The beloved dog bar celebrated its one-year anniversary after reopening with a foam party benefiting Donte's Den.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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