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Neighbors

The Sarasota group stands in front of the Great Wall of China during a 2016 trip to Taiwan and China.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 16, 2026
Friendship Force creates connections between people around the world

The club, part of an organization established in 1977, is focused on cultural exchange through home stays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Za'Tajh Coach, 3, climbs over a barrier in the obstacle course.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Police Department opens up to the community at Spring Fest

The event allowed participants to enjoy demonstrations from the department, with some cuddly animals and activities as well.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sue Ann Miller's story is featured in the Donate Life display at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch volunteer puts her second heart to good use

After receiving a heart transplant, Sue Ann Miller has gone on to volunteer for several nonprofits, including LifeLink of Florida.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Tennis Center pro Robbie Salum tosses a tennis ball up for warm-ups at a clinic on April 8. He and his fellow pros shared what they find special about the public courts and insight into the career paths that led them there.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 15, 2026
Meet Longboat Key's Tennis Center pros

With one pro finishing his first high season and another tallying 14, the trio of teachers brings interesting experiences to the role.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A record number of guests attend Longboat Key Garden Club's Dinner and a Movie.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 15, 2026
Check out these Longboat Key events celebrating local creatives

This month, the Longboat Key Foundation, town of Longboat Key and Longboat Key Garden Club are organizing events spotlighting some of the area's best painters, performers, sculptors and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
An osprey parent feeds one of the recently hatched chicks on a signpost at the intersection of Gulf of Mexico Drive and Longboat Club Road.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 14, 2026
Osprey chicks hatch off Longboat Club Road

Spring brings new life to Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Lakewood Ranch's Phil Orapallo and Sarasota's Kendra Simpkins Walsh are eager to welcome veterans and golfers alike to the Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club on April 27.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic to benefit local veterans

The second annual Operation Warrior Resolution Golf Classic was founded by a Lakewood Ranch resident who knows the kind of trauma veterans can go through.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland will be performing as a member of the Lakewood Ranch Wind Ensemble for the April 19 concert “The Magic of Music."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 14, 2026
Music speaks to retired educator through his heart

Calusa Country Club's Gene Bohland's whole career has been playing and teaching music and he's not stopping now.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The team aboard the "Triple Threat," captained by John Novak, rounds the first marker of the Bird Key Yacht Club's annual Sarasota Bay Cup regatta on April 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Seasoned sailors take advantage of smooth seas at Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta

Teams raced under sunny skies and light winds as they vied for the top spot in Bird Key Yacht Club's 2026 sailing competition.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Ena Jasmin Carroll credited her friend and fellow artist Pat Lundy with bringing her in for the second annual Artists in the Garden last weekend at Longboat Island Chapel. A dozen local artists showcased and sold their works at the two-day event.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Local creatives participate in return of Artists in the Garden

Artists working in innovative styles brought their talents to the second annual Artists in the Garden, part of a month-long celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Conductor Glen Olsen introduces trumpet soloist Ricardo Chinchilla, who accompanied members of the Sarasota Bay Chamber Orchestra on April 10 for an end-of-season performance at St. Armands Key Lutheran Church.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Sarasota chamber group closes out season at St. Armands church

Musicians with the Sarasota Bay Chamber Orchestra serenaded residents of St. Armands Key with a special selection of string-based classics.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Beverly Sutton, director of the outgoing Reading Buddies program that paired Christ Church of Longboat Key volunteers with students from Bradenton schools, speaks to the impact the after-school program had on everyone involved. Volunteers shared their appreciation for teachers and students at the April 12 service and reception.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 13, 2026
Longboaters show teacher appreciation as they bid farewell to Reading Buddies

As Christ Church parts ways with its after-school reading program, volunteers took time to thank teachers and supporters who helped it succeed.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Chloe Jarvis, Vice President Donna Quilici-Smith and Sara Sweetnich socialize before the scholarships are given out at Palm Aire Country Club April 10.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 12, 2026
Palm Aire Women's Club awards scholarships to local students

Scholarship recipients from State College of Florida and Manatee Technical College joined the Palm Aire Women's Club for a luncheon April 10.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key firefighter paramedics used the Hurst Jaws of Life ram to push the dashboard of a Ford Focus away from the passenger seat.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 12, 2026
Fire Department turns Ford Focus into convertible for training

Longboat Key Fire Rescue brought out the heavy equipment for a training exercise to pull a dummy from the back seat of an overturned vehicle.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles

Held by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, the 40th annual event raises funds for its Sea Turtle Conservation and Research program.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
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1
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
  • May 6, 2026
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
2
This fall will be Scott Paravicini's fourth season as the Lakewood Ranch football coach. He's posted a 14-17 record since taking over the program.
  • May 6, 2026
Despite cancer, Lakewood Ranch High coach remains committed to his players
3
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County
4
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  • May 6, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre actor is a woman for all seasons
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  • May 6, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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