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Neighbors

An American flag flies on Gulf of Mexico Drive, the town’s main thoroughfare that will soon see much more red, white and blue as the town prepares to install 56 light pole banners.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 3, 2026
Town works to unveil patriotic banners ahead of July 4

A banner depicting the American flag that can be reused was picked for Longboat Key’s Gulf of Mexico Drive over one that featured recognition of the country’s 250th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Tennis Center members and friends of Dolores Levy honored her memory with the unveiling of a new plaque at the center last weekend.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 2, 2026
LBK Tennis Center honors Rombo founder

Community members shared stories about Dolorers Levy at a May 30 unveiling of a plaque in her memory.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Cole Mule and Bodie Hogan, both 3 years old, explore the bee-themed magnet activity.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 31, 2026
Literacy lessons a hot summer topic at Lakewood Ranch Library

The Summer Learning Kickoff Party provided activities May 30 and marked the start of several programs.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
For the final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season, Randy Bordon and Bri Rivera of the Bri Rivera Band perform for the crowd.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 30, 2026
Crowd jams final Ranch Nite Wednesdays of the season

The weekly event runs October through May at Waterside Place in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rabbi Michael Shefrin meets Colby.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 30, 2026
Temple Emanu-El celebrates the joy of pets with Blessing of the Animals

The event celebrated four-legged friends and the joy they bring to their human companions.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Boards Brock Leach sat on in the Sarasota area include, with the Education Foundation of Sarasota County, the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition and Children First.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 29, 2026
Prominent Sarasota philanthropist, former Tropicana CEO dies at 67

Brock Leach reached the pinnacle of Corporate America. Then, right before he turned 50, he switched for a career in the ministry.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
James Bacigalupi and Trevor Garofalo give Harry Noordzy a lift, just as they did five years ago at Station 12.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 28, 2026
Myakka's Station 12 remains a part of Harry's world

Now 5, the firehouse baby returned to visit the firefighters who helped deliver him.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Mark Akerman, Jay Plager and Past Commodore Michael Landis carry away the colors at the conclusion of Bird Key Yacht Club's Memorial Day ceremony on May 25.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 28, 2026
Dedication to service celebrated at Bird Key's Memorial Day ceremony

Veterans, family members of service men and women, and community members united to recognize those who sacrificed for their country.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Among her many years of service for numerous organizations, Isabel Norton served as president of the Library Foundation for Sarasota County.
    By
  • Kat Wingert
  • May 28, 2026
Isabel Scott Norton remembered as formative force for Sarasota

Through over 50 years of her gentle leadership, Norton shaped everything from public meeting civility to libraries in the community.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Heather Hackett, the founder of Local Relief, Inc., earned the 2024 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian Award for her work with her nonprofit.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2026
Don't sleep on hurricane season because 2025 was slow

Side of Ranch March 28

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Yolanda Mancha is the foundation's vice president of philanthropy, and Veronica Thames is the CEO.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 26, 2026
Manatee Community Foundation is perpetually giving

The advantage of donating to MCF is that a donation today can quadruple over time.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Andres and Liliana Mendez are continuing their family legacy of bronze sculpting, examples of which they shared at the St. Armands Fine Art Festival on May 23 and 24.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 26, 2026
Bronze sculpture, 3D paintings and more impress at St. Armands art fest

This Memorial Day weekend fine art festival on St. Armands Circle featured artists who have honed their crafts for decades.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Ellie Tullidge, 6, is glad to help her grandfather Bob Smith celebrate raising another $114,507 for Stillpoint Mission this year, which makes the 15 year total $633,507.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 26, 2026
Lakewood Ranch effort raises $114,507 for the Stillpoint Mission

The donation is critical at a time the mission hopes to purchase a new building.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Darrell Butler, the chief veterans service officer with Sarasota County, serves as emcee.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2026
Sarasota residents honor sacrifices at Memorial Day Parade

The parade, held May 25, headed through downtown Sarasota and was followed by a ceremony at J.D. Hamel Park.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Frank Biondello, Jr. has been overseeing the transformation of The Dock on the Bay's hurricane-damaged marina as the marina manager for the past year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 25, 2026
Dock on the Bay makes progress on 'long road to recovery'

The small condominium facility has operated on Longboat Key for 46 years, and this year is one of significant transformation at its marina and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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