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Neighbors

Mariano Martinez rescued seven people from a rip current at Lido Beach in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 28, 2025
Sarasota County lifeguard received Medal of Valor for 2024 rescue

Mariano Martinez was also named the state's Lifeguard of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
David Quintano
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 27, 2025
Army vet receives refurbished car through NABC Recycled Ride program

David Quintano says the vehicle, refurbished by Crash Champions Sarasota, will shorten his two-hour commute to work, to 10 minutes.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Military Academy students Skyler Selby, Nathan New, Aiden Blair, Benson Van and Desmond Hunter walk in the procession.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 26, 2025
Memorial Day Parade carries on a tradition of remembrance

The parade brought together local law enforcement agencies, first responders, organizations and government officials.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Gemma Briggs plays the bagpipes while accompanied by Rear Commodore Saul Landesberg, Jay Plager and Vice Commodore Tony Britt during Bird Key Yacht Club's tribute to the fallen for Memorial Day.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 26, 2025
Bird Key honors fallen heroes Memorial Day weekend

Bagpipe instrumentalist Gemma Briggs offers special tribute with patriotic songs, remembering her family members who served.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Phlebotomists Kierrah Stanford and Diana Lemus staff the SunCoast Blood Centers' "bloodmobile" stationed outside of Longboat Key Town Hall on May 21.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 26, 2025
Longboaters appreciate convenience of blood donation

SunCoast Blood Centers volunteers continue outreach efforts throughout the year on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tommy Madi of Slim Chickens, which provided food at the event, and his friend Maria Guardado, walk over the Ringling Bridge.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 25, 2025
Memorial Day hike crosses Ringling Bridge in honor of the fallen

Hosted by SRQ Vets, the event also featured a giveaway of two vehicles to military veterans in need.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Porshia Lococo and Meredith Piazza, two of the leaders with Riverview High School's Cyesis parenting program, speak with members of Longboat Island Chapel who held a donation drive this month.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 25, 2025
From diapers to daycare, parent program offers holistic assistance

Longboat Island Chapel is supporting parents at Riverview High School with this month's Gather and Give drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Susan Phillips and Cyndi Seamon volunteer to help replant the Butterfly Garden at Bicentennial Park early in the morning. Replanting efforts continue this week.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 24, 2025
Work on Butterfly Garden restoration gets underway

Volunteers showed up this week to replant the Butterfly Garden at Bicentennial Park on Longboat Key, and they're starting work on the wider park.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The ride proceeds along Ringling Boulevard.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 23, 2025
Bikers ride through downtown to honor cyclist victims of roadway accidents

The annual Ride of Silence is held by Sarasota Manatee Bicycle Club and the Village Idiots Cycling Club.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Chuck and Phyllis Lynn, owners of Lynn's Spins Inc. provide entertainment for the senior fair. Phyllis controls the music while Chuck sings. They will celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary on May 24.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 22, 2025
Lakewood Ranch YMCA hosts senior fair

The fair is designed to provide local people aged 60 and older resources they may need.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ranch Nite Wednesdays are wrapping up for the season. May 28 is the last food truck gathering until Oct 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 22, 2025
Ranch Nite Wednesdays nears summer hiatus

The food trucks only gather from October through May.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Artist Stephen Harlan offers a glimpse into his creative process this weekend at Wyland Gallery Sarasota on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 22, 2025
Self-taught digital artist shakes up high-end art world

Florida-based artist Stephen Harlan met with fans this weekend at Wyland Gallery Sarasota on St. Armands Circle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The flag flies over the pier on Siesta Key Beach.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 22, 2025
Siesta Key resident honors military service members with flag ceremony

Every day, rain or shine, except Sundays, Wayne Bundy raises and lowers the flag at Beach Access 2 at Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Vincent Contino and Craig Miller mentor Parrish Williford through the Money Talks Program at Harbor 58. They have helped him get a part time job and learn how to save and manage finances.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 21, 2025
Nonprofit provides financial literacy tips to youth aging out of foster care

Harbor58's Money Talks program has a meeting once a month at Oasis Church in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
As she celebrates her 90th birthday, Longboat Key resident Merle Nelson says it is important to maintain a generous spirit.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 21, 2025
Longboat nonagenarian reflects on accomplishments

Merle Nelson shares stories of her storied career and life advice on her 90th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Carrie Walden, the Project Edge classroom instructor, is teaching 10 students including Mia Pardella and Justin Torres in the Project Edge program at MTC East.
  • December 10, 2025
MTC program teaches students with disabilities skills to enter workforce
2
Samara Williamson has been at the Lake Club for more than four years, moving to her general manager position from that of assistant general manager in 2023.
  • December 10, 2025
Lake Club manager named tops in her field
3
Gabriella Rawles holds a Fighting Irish tennis ball and poses for a photo at Notre Dame Stadium. The senior at ICL Academy online is headed to South Bend, Indiana, in January as an early enrollee.
  • December 10, 2025
Notre Dame commit rekindles love for tennis after recovery from a shoulder injury
4
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
  • December 10, 2025
Town of Longboat has questions after property valuations decrease
5
The moon rises as German and English troops gather together in "No Man's Land" to celebrate the birth of Christ in Asolo Rep's "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914."
  • December 10, 2025
'All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914' returns to Historic Asolo Theater

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