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Results for:

Waterside of Lakewood Ranch might have to wait longer for Sarasota County Schools to build an elementary school there.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • January 7, 2026
Sarasota County reevaluates need for new schools to serve Waterside

Jody Dumas, the executive director of facility services for Sarasota County Schools, said their two properties in Lakewood Ranch might sit empty for longer than anticipated.

  • East County
  • Schools
Below-freezing weather expected in inland Manatee, Sarasota
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • January 27, 2026
Below-freezing weather expected in inland Manatee, Sarasota

The wider region is expected to see wind chills in 20s Tuesday night.

  • East County
  • News
Ryan Chase is principal of Sarasota High School.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 29, 2026
What it takes to become principal of the year

Sarasota High's Ryan Chase explains the challenges and joys that come with the honor of being named the NASSP Florida High School Principal of the Year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst says future chief Paul Wren has proven his leadership through his years of service with the department.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • February 25, 2026
East Manatee Board of Fire Commissioners approves new chief

Commissioners select in-house, choosing Deputy Chief Paul Wren to replace Lee Whitehurst in January 2027.

  • East County
  • News
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key President Danielle Gladding, Salvation Army Capt. Jim Curry and bellringing coordinator Chris Sachs, a former club president, celebrate a stand-out year for donations.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 10, 2026
Longboat bellringers ring in record contribution

The drive for the Salvation Army topped charts in Sarasota County, tipped by an anonymous $50,000 Christmas Eve donation.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Lakewood Ranch High School hockey team huddles together at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in December. The team could call Lakewood Ranch home if an ice rink is built at Premier Sports Campus North.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 18, 2026
First step taken for ice rink to glide into Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus

Manatee County has entered into a public-private development contract with Icemann Development Manatee LLC.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key resident Patrice Fanning started off serving as an officiant for friends, and she is now expending her work into an official business.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • February 11, 2026
Longboaters in love can keep it local with new wedding officiant business

Longboat Key resident Patrice Fanning recently started her new business, Forever without Borders, to offer wedding officiant services here or wherever couples need her.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Longboat Key residents gathered at the Bayfront Park recreation center Thursday, Feb. 5 where engineering firm Kimley-Horn & Associates shared 60% plans for Buttonwood Harbour neighborhood improvements.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 10, 2026
Buttonwood residents get sneak peek of stormwater improvements

A Longboat neighborhood prone to “sunny day flooding” will be getting much-needed stormwater improvements.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Commission met for a public hearing Monday, Sept. 8 where the commission gave unanimous initial approval for the 2026 fiscal year budget, which will take effect Oct. 1 if commission gives final approval at the Sept. 22 public hearing.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • September 10, 2025
Town advances first vote in favor of 2026 budget

Staff pay raises and unchanged property taxes highlight the next fiscal year Longboat Key town budget.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This photo offers an idea of what the townhomes would have looked like if approved.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 5, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 232 townhomes off Lorraine Road

During the same land use meeting, commissioners approved a freestanding ER on State Road 64.

  • East County
  • News
Brooke Decillis will represent Lakewood Ranch at the FHSAA Class 3A girls weightlifting state championship Feb. 11 at RP Funding Center in Lakeland.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • February 2, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooke Decillis

On a big day at regionals, the senior brought home gold and bronze for Lakewood Ranch girls weightlifting.

  • East County
  • Sports
Rustic yet sophisticated, a Myakka farm provides an enviable lifestyle for a prominent Sarasota couple.
  • By Robert Plunket |
  • February 19, 2026
An organic farm highlights the pleasures of life in the country

Long rooted in the region, Lee and Caroline Wetherington have created their custom, clean-leaving oasis on a 30-acre farm full of animals, organic gardens and wide-open spaces.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 27, 2026
Hearings planned for north-end Longboat bridge project

The Longboat Pass Bridge was built in 1957 and will need to be rebuilt, according to FDOT.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure

The project, which includes a History Center, is expected to last until July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key hitchhiker gets visit from police
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 24, 2026
Longboat Key hitchhiker gets visit from police

A man trying to catch a ride back to downtown Sarasota prompted a call to police. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Kamala Martinez, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast, leads the regional nonprofit’s efforts to connect young people with life-changing mentors.
  • By Eric Snider |
  • February 17, 2026
With Big Brothers Big Sisters, mentors change the story

Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast pairs caring adults with kids who need guidance, stability and someone in their corner.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Opera Artistic Director Victor DeRenzi and General Director Richard Russell.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • December 2, 2025
Sarasota Opera artistic director will step down after 44 years

General Director Richard Russell will add artistic director to his role after Victor DeRenzi's departure in May.

  • Arts + Culture
A site map of the location of the proposed 41-unit 414 Lime Avenue townhome development in the Park East neighborhood.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • January 29, 2026
41 new townhomes planned for Limelight District

A new proposal for 41 townhomes is breathing new life into a partially built and then demolished multifamily project on Aspinwall Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ava Donoghue is sophomore class president at Booker High School.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 28, 2026
Booker High School student breaks stigma and barriers with Booker Basics

The initiative by Sophomore Class President Ava Donoghue provides free feminine products in girls' bathrooms throughout the school.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Bob Gardner Park offers a mile of trails, sports courts, frisbee golf, pavilions, a kids’ gravity rail and dog parks, all set against peaceful wetland preserves.
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • February 19, 2026
A few of our favorite (Lakewood Ranch) things

Here is a short list of cool pleasures, delightful encounters and only-in-the-Ranch moments.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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