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Results for:

School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines

School board members and school community members debate what the dress code should be and whether school uniforms are an option.

  • East County
  • Schools
Longboat Key has dozens of canals, 88 according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission

The first of two votes passed unanimously to establish flat fees and ad-valorem assessments to dredge and maintain Longboat Key's canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 9, 2026
Tax reform could mean 41% hit to city revenue fund

If a bill to reform property tax in Florida reaches the November ballot, Sarasota may be seeking ways to make up tens of millions in tax revenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
City of Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short shares an update on the Anna Maria Pier to Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams (left) and Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton (right) at a Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting May 6.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 18, 2026
Barrier island mayors meet to discuss pier, parking and phone pings

The mayors of Longboat Key, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach met May 6 to discuss issues facing the barrier islands and projects that are underway or planned.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The golf course at Longboat Key Club, which is accessible by membership or stay at the resort, has 45 holes to play.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 21, 2026
Charity golf tournament will return to Longboat Key

The Phil Galvano Golf Classic benefits Manatee County public schools and is being held for the 30th year in 2026.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which is now being considered for purchase by the city.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 8, 2026
City pursues First Street parcel for workforce housing project

One small parcel remains between two larger properties the city has acquired for a workforce housing project. Staff is instructed to pursue a letter of intent to purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Rosedale Golf Classic for Homes for Our Troops was founded by Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe in 2013. Prior to this year's money raised, $1.5 million has been donated to the organization from their efforts.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 17, 2026
Rosedale Golf Classic brings veterans, community members together

Rosedale's Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe have been raising money for Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds homes for veterans, since 2013.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Tax collector's money grab
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • April 29, 2026
Tax collector's money grab

Mike Moran needs cash to "modernize" his operations. His target: taking money from the schools, in spite of what voters approved.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Riders set out on the ride.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 22, 2026
Ride of Silence honors cyclists injured or killed while the community mourns recent losses

The silent procession, held May 20, drew a record turnout of about 130 people for the 7-mile loop through downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Zach Zeller co-owns three restaurants in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • May 22, 2026
A high-flying spirit has led Lakewood Rancher to adventure, in business and life

Lakewood Ranch restaurant owner Zach Zeller, be it on the ground or in the sky, emphasizes hard work — and helping others.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • March 4, 2026
Perez may pull off an extraordinary feat

Plus: Why the Senate hasn’t touched the bill that would cut property taxes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The house at 501 General Harris Street has received attention from neighbors, city code enforcement, banks and courts as foreclosure of the property inches along while maintenance is lacking.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 26, 2026
Pink house draws ire from neighbors

A Longboat Key house under foreclosure with a cluttered and unkempt yard has led to frustrations from Sleepy Lagoon neighbors and $50,000 in code violations from the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

The Frenchman birdied the 18th hole to clinch the title and avoid a three-person playoff.

  • East County
  • Sports
A Manatee County Sheriff's Office substation is under construction at Premier Sports Campus North.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 7, 2026
New county facilities headed for Lakewood Ranch area in 2026

Manatee County has multiple projects slated for Lena Road and Premier Sports Campus North.

  • East County
  • News
Declan Waters (left) of the Sarasota Paradise celebrates a goal against New York City FC II on Feb. 13 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • February 18, 2026
Will local soccer fans embrace Paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

The local team tests the professional level in 2026 at Premier Sports Campus.

  • East County
  • Opinion
"Anne Packard: An Artist's Resolve" screens at the Sarasota Film Festival on Sunday, April 12, with the artist and director Arthur Egeli in attendance.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • April 1, 2026
The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival takes flight

The fest offers premieres, parties, Q&As, celebrity sightings and even a fish fry.

  • Arts + Culture
Traffic headed north off Longboat Key often backs up onto the Longboat Pass Bridge as Anna Maria Island has become a congestion hotspot on the barrier islands.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 1, 2026
Citizen survey shows love of Longboat, but road issues remain

Most takeaways weren’t a surprise, but the data still has value to town leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race

Tony Barrett hopes to earn a seat as his term as fire commissioner comes to an end.

  • East County
  • News
Cooper Jones is one of seven freshmen additions for Braden River this season. The third baseman/catcher leads the team in RBIs and ranks second in batting average, as of March 10.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 18, 2026
Freshmen talent takes center stage for Braden River High's softball team

The Pirates were off to a fast start with seven freshmen having an immediate impact.

  • East County
  • Sports
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi explains how robust community education contributes to the island's success in responding to cardiac distress calls. He touched on response times, disaster response and more at the April 30 meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 30, 2026
Fire chief explains Longboat's high cardiac rescue success rates

Longboat Key Fire Rescue Chief Paul Dezzi spoke about how vital it is for community members to learn CPR and be ready to act.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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