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Neighbors

Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Access to golf in Sarasota is no longer a black and white matter

Longtime Bobby Jones golfer Ken Spaulding recalls when available tee times often depended upon color.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Dick Vitale in his Lakewood Ranch office, surrounded by a lifetime of achievements — and still chasing new goals.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • August 21, 2025
Life for Dick Vitale is pretty great. But a stinging failure set up his shot for success.

From national fame to personal travails, famed ESPN sportscaster Dick Vitale talks resilience, reinvention and what keeps him going.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Jean Blackburn rides through a canopy of oak and palm on her Old Miakka property — 14 acres of native Florida habitat that fuels both her artwork and conservation efforts.
    By
  • Su Byron
  • August 21, 2025
Myakka City is known for its rural nature — and its salt-of-the-earth people

In a place where cowboy hats outnumber stoplights, three locals live by the rhythm of the land.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The kitchen and family room have been reborn in a contemporary style, showcasing a new coastal look.
  • By Robert Plunket
  • August 21, 2025
A dramatic update brings a Country Club home into the future

A well-loved family home gets a stylish refresh — proving that smart updates and staging can make all the difference for resale.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Prince Knight performs on Aug. 18.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 20, 2025
Jazz Jam SRQ lets the community play together

The free-to-attend, improvised performances, held at Selby Public Library, are being paired with education in the fundamentals of jazz.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Denise Allen and fiancé Mark Latcheran of Parrish visit with Dr. Shilpa Jadeja, who was part of Latcheran's care team at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 20, 2025
Chalk up a life saved for Lakewood Ranch Medical Center

Parrish's Mark Latcheran tells a feel-good story about the hospital's staff.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Olivia Swanson dishes up a scoop of passionfruit gelato on her last day at Settimi's Gelato before she heads off to college for a new school year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Summer snapshot on St. Armands Circle

St. Armands Circle falls into an easy-going summertime pace in August, when visitors and residents take their time exploring the restaurants and shops in the area.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Elena Cassella worked in the Manatee County School District for 17 years before taking a job in fundraising with Foundation for Dreams in 2010.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 20, 2025
Camp is a dream come true for individuals with disabilities

With some help from (lots of) friends, an east Manatee County organization aims to grow its unique camp that supports individuals with special needs and their families.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Rita Lewis, owner of Linger Lodge, has worked nearly every role in the house. Today, she's the heart and soul of the operation.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • August 20, 2025
Linger Lodge serves up a heaping portion of Old Florida

Rita Lewis shares the magic behind one of Florida's most storied and beloved riverfront restaurants.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
A gopher tortoise emerges from the grasses of Heritage Ranch Preserve. More than 350 animal species rely on abandoned burrows like this one for shelter, nesting and survival.
    By
  • Emily Leinfuss
  • August 20, 2025
These conservationists of a threatened species may just surprise you

The Heritage Ranch Gopher Tortoise Preserve offers a long-term refuge for slow movers with a big ecological role.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Ana Salmon receives a demonstration from Elyse Falzone, an intuitive energy healer and spiritual mentor.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 19, 2025
Bee Ridge Florist welcomes community inside for Feel Good Fair

The family-owned flower shop, which recently changed ownership to sisters Alex Wise-Brewer and Devyn Wise, hosted the Feel Good Fair.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sara Stone has worked at the Market Street Lakewood Ranch Publix for 18 years.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 19, 2025
This Publix bakery staple has been creating confectionary delights for 20 years

Sara Stone is nearing her 20-year anniversary of doing some edible, yet mostly behind the scenes, work: creating and baking some of Lakewood Ranch's tastiest cakes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Three Island Monkeys owner Brigette Kubin greets visitors at the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's "Networking at Noon" event on Aug. 15. The boutique co-hosted the event with the neighboring restaurant Lo' Key Island Grille.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 19, 2025
Longboat community connects at networking doubleheader

Three Island Monkeys and Lo' Key Island Grille combined their efforts to co-host the Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce's latest networking event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jose Angel Figueroa Jr. makes music in the circle.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 18, 2025
Attendees live their best life in the Siesta Key Drum Circle

The event, held since about 1996, takes place every Sunday in Siesta Key, rain or shine.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Corey Vandenhoe snorkeling during the Great Scallop Search
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 18, 2025
Help scientists while enjoying a day on Sarasota Bay

Sarasota Bay Watch is hosting its annual citizen science-led survey of scallops in Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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1
Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
  • May 6, 2026
$12.48M generator request causes concern over Manatee County 'money pit'
2
County Commissioner Tom Knight on Tuesday raised the issue of a fee charged by the Tax Collector's office on money raised by the school district's optional 1-mill property tax.
  • May 6, 2026
County Commission reverses stance on paying school-tax fee
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Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
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Charles Edward Githler
  • May 6, 2026
Charles Edward Githler
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  • May 6, 2026
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