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Results for:

Cash grab in Manatee, too
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • May 28, 2026
Cash grab in Manatee, too

While the Sarasota County tax collector has drawn ire for taking school district money, the Manatee County tax collector has taken even more and been doing it longer.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Zoë Buller began pole vaulting as a sixth grader. One year later, she's a regional and district champion, ultimately placing eighth at the FHSAA Class 1A track and field state championship.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 21, 2026
These Longboat Key family members have spring in their step

ODA pole vaulter Zoe Buller looks to follow in the footsteps of her parents, who were accomplished track and field athletes.

  • East County
  • Sports
A camper explores hands-on marine science during Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s Mote SEA STEM Camp.
  • By Su Byron |
  • May 19, 2026
Let the kids blossom creatively this summer at one of these art camps

These summer camps for children and teens open the door to self-expression, skill-building and the joy of discovery.

  • Arts + Culture
Terri Driver is a long-time volunteer with Longboat Key Turtle Watch, seen here caring for a nest in 2016.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 22, 2026
Turtle patrol walks begin on Longboat Key

The duties of Longboat Key Turtle Watch can be broken down into five verbs: patrol, mark, report, dig and educate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A Longboat Key police officer measures the speed of vehicles traveling on Gulf of Mexico Drive. Traffic enforcement in gated communities require a memorandum of understanding with the Homeowners Association, said Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 31, 2026
Speeding enforcement in gated communities requires HOA permission

Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager said a memorandum of understanding is required to set up a speed trap on private roads.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A new fire pit area awaits campers, along with the playground that was moved from Camp Flying Eagle, where camps used to be held.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 21, 2026
Dream Oaks Camp opens near Rye Preserve just in time for summer

Manatee County gave the Foundation for Dreams a 10-year lease for $10, but the campus needed an overhaul.

  • East County
  • News
Daniel Bitter, 7, tosses the lasso.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • June 7, 2026
Campers at Sarasota City YMCA try their hand at throwing a lasso

Local rancher Robbie Martin visited the summer camp to help kids gain an understanding of agricultural careers.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 14, 2026
The Paradise Center expands digital classes

New livestreams of movement classes will be available online to members of the community center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Sophia IV sold for $6,775,000 in April and Stock Custom Homes is now planning a Wild Blue home that will list for $8 million.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • May 27, 2026
Has Lakewood Ranch become the playground for the rich?

Wild Blue has turned the multimillion sale into a common occurrence.

  • East County
  • News
The U.S. Soccer U17 Men's National Team prepares to face Brazil in the 2011 Nike International Friendlies at Premier Sports Campus. Lakewood Ranch won't play host to any games in the upcoming men's FIFA World Cup, but is home to no shortage of soccer enthusiasts.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • June 2, 2026
Approaching men's FIFA World Cup brings back memories in Lakewood Ranch area

The global soccer tournament, which will run from June 11 through July 19, is the first to be co-hosted by the U.S. since it hosted solo in 1994.

  • East County
  • Sports
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park

With a time frame for completion in 2029, planning has begun for Phase 3 projects to expand boater access, build a parking deck and convert acres of asphalt into green space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Blair "Chip" Kunka and Jan Kunka of the Bradenton Lions Club didn't previously have a young contact to start a Leo Club. When Tyler LaPlaca reached out, they were all in.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • June 3, 2026
Teen founds Lakewood Ranch Leo Club to provide community service

When Tyler LaPlaca realized there wasn't a Leo Club to encourage young people to be involved in community service, he took matters into his own hands.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The home on Jewfish Key opposite Longboat Key is listed at $5.995 million.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • June 1, 2026
Selling the island life on Longboat Key takes a big step to boat-only enclave

Pair of properties on Jewfish Key require an approach as different as living there.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Multimedia artist Peg Green explains how stories of creation inspired this particular quilt. A collection of her works centered on ancient goddesses and muses is now on display at All Angels Episcopal Church.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 6, 2026
Longboat gallery spotlights local quilting artist

With some of her detailed works taking six years to make, artist Peg Green invests extensive research, rich stories and fine details into her quilts.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Collin Purcell, Katie Blackwell and Brian Ott bring back the feel-good era of folk music in "Leaving on a Jet Plane."
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • June 3, 2026
Cool off this summer with Florida Studio Theatre's cabaret shows

FST music shows provide a welcome respite from summer in the city.

  • Arts + Culture
An American flag flies on Gulf of Mexico Drive, the town’s main thoroughfare that will soon see much more red, white and blue as the town prepares to install 56 light pole banners.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • June 3, 2026
Town works to unveil patriotic banners ahead of July 4

A banner depicting the American flag that can be reused was picked for Longboat Key’s Gulf of Mexico Drive over one that featured recognition of the country’s 250th birthday.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Maddie Baehr was hesitant to join Braden River flag football as a freshman. Now, she's a member of the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics just over two years away.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • June 3, 2026
Braden River High graduate takes her dual athleticism overseas

Although she is headed toward Division I soccer, Maddie Baehr played in May for the Ireland Flag Football Women's National Team.

  • East County
  • Sports
Amy Snider and Julie Waters bring some ribbon energy to the dance floor.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • June 8, 2026
Silver Pride draws nearly 1,000 in its celebration of older LGBTQ+ adults

The event, held at Senior Friendship Centers, was focused on those in the LGBTQ+ community ages 50 and up.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Angelina Goesch and her mom, Ana Goesch, founder of Dogs of Lakewood Ranch, pose with Ana's 4-year-old Golden retriever, Maple.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 8, 2026
The Dogs of Lakewood Ranch club allows canine lovers to network

The group's Facebook group members have found important information, such as available dog sitters and referrals for dog-related issues.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Crew's Gabrielle DeLeo heads to the finish of the Women's Youth 1x Thursday at the USRowing Youth National Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. She qualified for Friday's semifinal by placing eighth in 7:54.36.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • June 11, 2026
USRowing National Championships opens in Sarasota

Sarasota Crew measures its athletes against the nation's best at Nathan Benderson Park.

  • East County
  • Sports
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