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Neighbors

Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Town staffer finds balance with tiring work and passion for weightlifting

Matthew Ballew's busy days working for Longboat Key Public Works are paired with a lifestyle of weightlifting and bodybuilding, which has taught him important life lessons.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Weston Schurr, 8, and his brother Parker Schurr, 6, build a snowman.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2025
Snow comes to First Sarasota

The church's third annual "Snow Day" drew many attendees from outside the church for snowball fights, snow slides and more.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sarasota's Zack and Greta Hamric sit in their 1956 Jaguar XK 140MC Roadster formerly owned by Hollywood star Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 13, 2025
Jaguar Festival d’Elegance brings luxury vehicles to St. Armands Circle

The free-to-the-public event showcased Jaguar sports cars from across Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While Birdie McClaine plays his accordion, his companion Lady Haha sits and waits to perform tricks.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 13, 2025
An old clown and his clever dog steal the show on St. Armands Circle

The afternoon of Dec. 14 was busy on the circle, but a random street performer with a Ringling Bros. history stood out the most.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
ThunderBug amps up the crowd just before the first puck drop between the Lightning and Devils at a watch party held on Lakewood Ranch Main Street on Saturday, Jan. 11.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch shows its hockey pride at Tampa Bay Lightning Watch Party

People of all ages enjoyed a ball hockey tournament and a Lightning vs. Devils game.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Linda, Lisa and Lindsey Mullins
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 12, 2025
Sarasota Bay Seafood & Music Festival fills ears and stomachs

The event was held in its new location of the Sarasota Fairgrounds for the first time.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Cesar Lopez of The Danny Bub Combo plays the trumpet.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 12, 2025
Fresh Fridays block party helps kicks off the new year

“New Year on the Block” ushered in the year 2025 while offering the signature sights and sounds of Fresh Fridays.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Star Farms residents Barbara Malta and Lynette Cahill attend the expo to explore medical services because they're new to town.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Sarasota wellness expo showcases local medical services

The annual New Year, New You Health & Wellness Expo was held at the Mall at University Town Center.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brian Dryfhout, director of marketing and communications for SunCoast Blood Centers, stands in front of the nearly empty cooler at the Lakewood Ranch location. SunCoast is asking the community for donations due to a shortage of blood.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 11, 2025
Lakewood Ranch blood center needs donations to stock shelves

SunCoast Blood Centers provides blood to area hospitals and the Sarasota Fire Department.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Brigette Kubin cut the ribbon for her business, Three Island Monkeys, on Jan. 8.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 11, 2025
Three Island Monkeys celebrates Longboat opening with ribbon-cutting

The gift shop offering unique gifts and from local artists opened in November 2024 but had a ceremony to celebrate the opening with the local community.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Salvation Army Captain, Jim Curry, speaks to the Longboat Key Kiwanis on Thursday Jan. 9, 2025.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • January 10, 2025
Longboat Key reaches new heights in Salvation Army donations

Despite the hurricanes that hit the Key, Longboaters continued to give for the cause.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Scot Ruberg
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2025
Scooter of the Beach reflects on over 30 years as a lifeguard

Scot Ruberg, also known as Scooter of the Beach, has become Siesta Key's most celebrated lifeguard.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
A flamingo by Peggy Roberts
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 9, 2025
Artist of palm frond creations to hold exhibition at Art Ovation Hotel

Peggy Roberts started creating animals from palm fronds in her retirement, as a showcase of upcycling.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
A session of The Y: HIIT Fitness class is held at The Bay.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 8, 2025
How to stick to your fitness goals for the New Year

Local fitness professionals offer advice on retaining your desire to stay fit throughout the year.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ute Vela competes in the Observer Challenge held Feb. 3-5, 2023. She and her husband, Enrique, have won the tournament four times.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • January 8, 2025
Observer Challenge hopes different format will attract more players

The beloved Longboat Key tennis tournament is back for its 25th year with a new format and surprise criteria for its grand prize.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Herb Methodology co-owner Tryla Brown Larson celebrates the launch of her line of locally made products at Longboat Key's Design 2000 Salon on Jan. 29.
  • February 4, 2026
Herb Methodology launches at Design 2000
2
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off
3
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
4
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
5
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

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