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Results for:

Chip Bennett, lead pastor of Grace Community Church in Lakewood Ranch, says his church sees 4,000 worshippers on a typical Sunday during season.
  • By Jim DeLa |
  • September 12, 2024
Churches mirror huge growth in Lakewood Ranch

Faith communities say rapid expansion is a blessing and a challenge

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the planned $3.2 million renovation and splash pad replacement at Bayfront Park.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • September 12, 2022
City to vote on Bayfront Park splash pad revision next week

The revised plan for a renovated park and splash pad replacement at Bayfront Park includes shade structures and raises the cost to $3.2 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Michelle Sanchez, a paraprofessional at William H. Bashaw Elementary School, is able to spend more time with her son Tiago Sanchez now that she works at his school.
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • December 10, 2024
Manatee finds success recruiting from within school communities

Parents have been inspired to become paraprofessionals, teachers and administrators.

  • East County
  • Schools
Braden River High senior Zackary Groth (23) leaps for an attempted header against Parrish Community High. The attempt would sail wide of the net and Braden River would lose 1-0.
  • By Ryan Kohn |
  • February 6, 2024
Parrish-Braden River match proves a one-goal game can be thrilling

The boys soccer district title game featuring Braden River High (12-2-1) and Parrish Community High (10-8-1) showed the kind of effort teams need to get even one goal.

  • East County
  • Sports
The new Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium building is part of the view from PopStroke's UTC mini-golf course.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • November 6, 2024
PopStroke at UTC in Sarasota just got a little cooler

Fans and misters were installed on the mini-golf courses, along with a few other upgrades.

  • East County
  • Business
New board members Bob Kelly, Heather Herr and Kathy Beam join the annual St. Armands Residents Association dinner.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 10, 2025
St. Armands residents utilize post-storm enlightenment

Community members consider infrastructure resilience, particularly with storm drains, at their annual dinner get-together.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Man claims he 'owns the road,' wants construction workers fined
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • December 10, 2024
Man claims he 'owns the road,' wants construction workers fined

A citizen called to report after-hours construction work and proceeded to become argumentative. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Mark Carroll of Renzo Piano Building Workshop is the partner-in-charge of the design of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • July 25, 2024
Meet the team behind the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center

Renzo Piano Building Workshop architect Mark Carroll describes the firm's "light touch" philosophy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nancy Rozance (Santa) and the current Rotary Club President Jan Wallace said residents brought a record number of gifts to donate at Light Up Longboat 2024.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • November 25, 2024
Community regroups as Light Up Longboat kicks off holiday season

After a challenging summer of hurricanes for the island, members of the Longboat community came together for an early holiday celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key commissioners were all present and ready to kick off the first meeting back on Sept. 11.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • September 13, 2023
Public concern, project updates kick off Town Commission’s return

The Sept. 11 regular commission meeting included concerns about emergency dispatch, undergrounding updates and a few resolutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Upgrades to the pickleball courts at Lakewood Ranch Park cost approximately $250,000.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • September 13, 2024
Pickleball courts upgraded at Lakewood Ranch Park

Upgrades include a hitting wall, shade structure and lighting.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighters from East Manatee Fire and Rescue and Southern Manatee Fire and Rescue work together to take the roof off a car to extricate a patient.
  • By Liz Ramos |
  • April 5, 2023
EMS Field Day unites emergency organizations to learn new skills

EMS providers offer hands-on opportunities to learn new skills to use in the field.

  • East County
  • News
Brigette Kubin, owner of the newly opened Three Island Monkeys, shows off the new sweaters the boutique is carrying during this year's "Meet Greet Eat."
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 11, 2025
Up-and-coming business celebrates wins at Meet Greet Eat

The Longboat Key business community took the opportunity to connect with residents at this 19th annual chamber event.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Mary Bensel has been executive director of the Van Wezel for nearly 17 years.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • October 14, 2024
Mary Bensel keeps the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall on an even keel

The executive director of the Van Wezel knows how to go with the flow.

  • Arts + Culture
Lakewood Ranch flag football coach Eli Weaver (middle) created the East Manatee Monarchs club team to give his players the chance to develop beyond the spring season.
  • By Vinnie Portell |
  • March 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch flag football off to record start

A senior-laden Mustangs team has been hard to beat in 2025.

  • East County
  • Sports
A rendering shows the Brista Homes office and Couch space in the Brista Commons plaza.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • August 27, 2024
Developer ready to make commercial plaza a reality on Longboat Key

The project will provide over 14,000 square feet of commercial space among six spaces in a prime mid-Key location along Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Igor Pertile works with the plants.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • November 28, 2024
Farmer education program gives aspiring growers a head start in the field

UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County has partnered with Mote Aquaculture Research Park to use its facility for the program, which gives farmers hands-on farming and business development experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The 5K begins.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 16, 2024
Sandy Claws Beach Run brings energy to the holiday spirit

Runners dressed in festive attire for the 48th annual event held on Siesta Key Beach.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Trey Hamer, 11, works with other youth soccer players at the new indoor facility, The Fitballer.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • September 10, 2024
New Sarasota facility brings soccer training indoors

The Fitballer offers professional training for kids and adults.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
An aerial picture of the beach near Bayfront Park in October 2024 shows how storm surge washed over the beach and impacted dune height and vegetation.
  • By Carter Weinhofer |
  • December 4, 2024
Hurricanes shifted 60% of Longboat Key sand placed since 2021

Town staff and coastal consultants explained how the dunes lost height and vegetation and pressed the need for a long-term solution to one of the island's most erosive areas.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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