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Assessments are underway to determine future use of Sarasota County's headquarters as construction of its new building continues.
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation gives $500,000 from its Rapid Response Fund to more than a dozen local organizations.
Midnight Pass opened after Hurricane Milton made landfall in Sarasota on Oct. 9.
The School District of Manatee County budgets $1.5 million annually for schools to serve as shelters.
All Faiths Food Bank and the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee are partnering to provide groceries to Hurricane Milton-impacted residents in Sarasota.
More than 4,000 school district employees have responded to a survey on needs.
Limiting debris pile up and water use are among the necessary measures officials asked from residents.
You can make donations to Hurricane victims on Sunday at the Farmers Market at Lakewood Ranch.
Amid the power outages and aftermath of Hurricane Milton, free hamburgers and hot dogs were on offer.
Some events the public can still enjoy are the Pumpkin Festival at Fruitville Grove and the second anniversary celebrations at The Bay.
A canceled meeting and workshop puts Sarasota commissioners on double duty with packed-agenda meetings on Friday and Monday.
A Johnson Estates home on Kenilworth Street tops the week's sales at $3.45 million.
Samuel Yelverton, MD, board certified general surgeon at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center addresses questions related to a common digestive disorder.
Over 20 vendors will fill the auditorium with an explosion of color and smells, exhibiting and selling thousands of blooming orchid plants, as well as presenting gorgeous displays.
Immerse yourself in the enchanting ambiance of a traditional European holiday village, right here in the Sunshine State at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.
Dog owners unleash their creativity on their dog's costumes.
What Hurricane Helene started, Milton finished as revelers flock to view and navigate a return of the inlet between Siesta and Casey keys.
Amid the impacts of two successive hurricanes, a glimmer of business activity is emerging on Siesta Key.
Those of you who have slogged through the many long diatribes on this page surely are familiar by now with the predictable slant at election time.
Two hurricanes — Helene, a Cat 4 at landfall, and Milton, a Cat 3 at landfall — brought horrific catastrophes smack dab onto Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Race director has no fear Boo Run will continue to be successful in Lakewood Ranch.
Sarasota city officials ask for patience as debris collection assets are stretched thin amid historic storm damage across multiple states.
Organizations understand what damaged prominent restaurants have to face and say it would be inappropriate to ask for help with annual fundraisers.
A John Ringling Estates home on South Washington Drive tops the week's sales at $6.5 million.
Back-to-back hurricanes extend the city manager's tenure by six days. His last official day is now Oct. 21.
Reed and Ginny Savidge hope to bring camaraderie and free food to all those struggling on Longboat after two hurricanes.
The loss of the membrane roof cover over all of Concourse B and significant damage beneath it kept the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport closed for nearly a week following Hurricane Milton.
Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.
Sean and Christian Laureano play for Puerto Rico in USA Lacrosse Experience in Indianapolis.
A resident asked officers to conduct a welfare check on the young adults before Hurricane Milton. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.
From the 1-mill property tax referendum to parental rights, Heather Felton and Mark Stanoch share their thoughts on important issues schools are facing.
Join us for an unforgettable evening of whiskey exploration at The American Whiskey Dinner!
One brought a devastating storm surge, another’s winds added to the destruction. Longboat Key officials weigh in on what recovery will look like in the coming months.
The executive director of the Van Wezel knows how to go with the flow.
A victim was chased throughout the city by a woman driving a green Dodge Challenger asking for a brawl. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.
The island's utilities have been restored as of Monday, Oct. 14.
Central Park resident Mia Womeldorph walked for Willow Bean Studio and Kayzie Couture.
Sari Lindroos-Valimaki wants to give citizens a Democratic option in the race for District 7.
Local, state and national resources are available for those who suffered losses during both hurricanes.
Community centers and organizations assess how to approach the 2024-2025 season on Longboat Key after two hurricanes.
Teammates celebrate a Sarasota centenarian's joy for life.
Residents are relieved that Hurricane Milton hit south of Longboat Key but are worried about how this season on the island will look.
The eastbound span may be closed sometime on Sunday to conduct inspections.
The owners of a 1954 cinder-block, pecky Cypress cottage are crushed. It appears they’ll be unable to preserve the home.
If approved, part of the funding will go toward expanding literacy programs in Manatee schools.
Museum officials say buildings on the campus suffered minimal damage and the collections are safe.
Helene and Milton battered the Old Salty Dog and New Pass Grill & Bait Shop. But they plan to come back — yet again.
Residential damage, with only half Manatee County's inspection completed, is estimated at $136,569,705.
Structures on the island remained intact, while the significant flooding of Hurricane Helene did not reoccur.
The downtown campus is reopening in phases.
The entire roof over Concourse B has been damaged.
The annual event brings together supporters in the warehouse of the Sarasota food bank.
The orchestra pit, kitchen, dressing rooms and production offices were all flooded.
The picture was the same — the ravages of Helene’s flooding on the contents of homes and the giant felled trees from Milton’s winds.
Restaurant says its team can put together 1,000 meals in one hour.
Nearly 24 hours after the storm made landfall on the Key, the long road of cleanup has begun.
Crews needed several hours to cut the power so firefighters could work.
Facility assessments will also begin on buildings and other amenities at beach parks.
His boat became disabled as hurricane approached, the Coast Guard said.
As Siesta Key property owners assess the damage from Hurricane Milton, they are reeling more from Hurricane Helene.
Town crews spent Thursday assessing damage from Hurricane Milton and working with the Florida Department of Transportation to clear debris from the island.
The Category 3 hurricane had its eye on the Lakewood Ranch area, but residents were busy cleaning up Thursday.
Mauricio Colucci and Michelle Teeter said it was scary and loud but thought it would be much worse than it was.
A tree and pole crashed through the roof of the Dr. Walter Kennedy House of Ron Kashden and Kelly Franklin after they evacuated just hours earlier.
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Lido and Siesta keys at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm.
A condominium in The Tower Residences tops the week's sales at $4 million.
Plexr® Plasma technology is a non-surgical treatment designed to address various skin concerns.
In a note to customers on its website, Florida Power & Light says its crews are in the hardest hit areas. "We ask for your patience as we work around-the-clock to get Florida back to normal."
Not everyone heeds orders to leave the water's edge.
Facilities are self-sufficient and ready for Hurricane Milton, SMH CEO David Verinder says.
Residents make last-minute preparations for Milton With the storm expected to make landfall early Thursday morning, locals scramble to complete their to-do lists to secure their homes and businesses.
The Benderson Development and Taubman project has had a tremendous economic impact on the region.
Cliff Hornsby, also known as "Gerry Atric," hopes to use his funny lines and unique bits to get relief after Hurricane Helene.
Kristi Dorman says she can "play with the best of them."
Every four years, Florida voters face a flurry of proposed amendments to the state constitution. This year, six proposed amendments will be on the ballot.
The department recently added a LUCAS 3 CPR device to its arsenal, which is a machine firefighter paramedics use to deliver high-quality, safe chest compressions.
A Sleepy Lagoon Park home on Penfield Street tops the week's sales at $1.7 million.
Despite rising costs, Founding CEO AG Lafley told the Bay Park Improvement Board that it will not overspend the $48 million public portion of construction.
The program provides students with professional-grade equipment and financing to complete their own films.
The Alliance Gives Back program continues to grow in its mission to help nonprofits.
In Michael Harris' first three weeks as managing editor of the Longboat and Sarasota Observers, the area has had two hurricanes.
The contemporary Sarasota Art Museum plans to close from Oct. 7-11 because of the approaching hurricane.
Just two weeks after the previous devastating storm surge, business owners braced for a hurricane impact once again.
Hermitage CEO Andy Sandberg vows to rebuild after being hit by a hurricane twice in two years.
Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.
Residents recount where they were when the hurricane hit and how it impacted their lives.
The temple provided community and normalcy after many Longboaters’ homes were found in disarray from the hurricane.
The nonprofit on Ken Thompson Parkway is working to recover after Hurricane Helene’s storm surge brought up to 4 feet of water throughout the facility.
A Country Club East home on Whittlebury Trail tops the week's sales at $1.05 million.
A resident called to report a man walking along Gulf of Mexico Drive barefoot, but the man claimed to have his shoes stolen. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.
Richard Thompson shares his success story with Advanced Scholar Program students.
Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch-area rowers thrive on competition and friendships.
Temple Emanu-El hosted Am Yisrael Chai: A Day of Hope, while the Jewish Federation of Sarasota-Manatee hosted Be the Light: Memorial Candle Lighting.
The event brought together firefighters from departments across Sarasota County and beyond.
The damage estimate is expected to grow as officials continue to assess Helene damages while Hurricane Milton is on the way.
The manatees, pushed into the fresh water habitat by the Helene surge, will be moved back to brackish water.
Churches and community centers barely saw anyone coming to the comfort stations.
The benefit golf tournament at Tara Golf and Country Club supports Selah Freedom.
The town issued the evacuation order at 10:30 a.m. Monday as officials are preparing for "life-threatening impacts."
Started at the school in 2017, the event, which spreads awareness of childhood cancer, has grown to encompass other area schools.
Blaming government for economic woes misses the real causes behind problems.
School board member Richard Tatem says passing the referendum is essential to providing a quality education.
Manatee County will have to tap its reserves to cover repairs while waiting on reimbursements from the state and federal governments.
Held indoors at the Sarasota Garden Club due to weather, the event featured live Polka music by The DeLeon Family Band, as well as Oktoberfest food and drinks.
The city of Sarasota responds to merchants' removal pleas as decaying debris piles remained on Friday while they attempt to recover from Hurricane Helene.
After staying open during the hurricane, Gary Hagen of Donuts By Design got stuck in his shop with a dead phone and car.
Ovation School Of Musical Theatre provided the entertainment.
The Oct. 5 event raised money for student scholarships with hundreds of auction items.
Hurricane Milton is expected to hit Florida's west coast on Wednesday.
Here's where to get into the fall spirit, even when it's 90 degrees outside.
Churches make do to clean and prepare for services after the hurricane surge hit Longboat Key on Sept. 26.
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has partnered with Southern Smoke Foundation to help Helene-impacted local service workers bridge financial gaps during recorvery.
Hurricane Milton made landfall near Lido and Siesta keys at 8:30 p.m. Oct. 9 as a Category 3 storm. Access to the barrier islands, including Casey, Manasota, Siesta and Longboat keys, remains closed as the post-storm search-and-rescue mission is completed.
At least 50 children reel in big fun during annual Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club tournament.
Gold Coast Eagle Distributing and Anheuser-Busch delivered clean, canned drinking water to Sarasota and Manatee communities, including Longboat Key.
The bar will open on Oct. 9 in the Center Point plaza off University Parkway.
Pier 550, the latest Golden Gate Point luxury condo project, faces additional scrutiny by the Development Review Committee. Three other residential projects win partial or full sign-off.
The food truck event has been expanded to include activities in Gateway Park.
More than 200 attended the nonprofit's Rose for Reproductive Rights annual fundraiser, setting a record for the event.
Rainfall totals could rival amount received during Hurricane Debby, officials say.
Storm surge damage could prompt sites on the barrier islands to move.
The Texas-based fast-food chain is planning its first Sarasota-area location on South Tamiami Trail.
The Udermanns’ home in the Village is just one example of how Helene’s high storm surge caused major damage to Longboat Key homes.
More tropical weather is expected into next week.
The election qualifying period for available town commission positions began on Oct. 1.
Debris must be separated into categories and street access unblocked for heavy equipment.
All water service in Sarasota County has been restored, officials say.
Sarasota County commissioners officially set the fiscal year 2025 budget at a reduced countywide millage rate of 3.30%.
The Ridge Teen Center recently reached the milestone of one year in operation, although staff hope more families will find out about the site.
The Peace and Justice Ministry buys mattresses for the women transitioning from prison back into the community.
A home in Hidden Harbor tops the week's sales at $7.25 million.
Since the flooding caused by Hurricane Debby in August, the trails outside the Sarasota Audubon Nature Center at Celery Fields have seen the growth of weeds and invasive plants through the mulch surface.
Following a rousing concept reveal last week, city commissioners dig into the details for the proposed Sarasota Performing Arts Center.
The permits, which will cost $100, are for residents only.
International Sand Sculpting Festival, November 15-18, 2024.
Democracy leads to the lousy getting on top; subsidizing and producing more bad behavior; and economic fascism. The November election won’t stop all that, but the right choice can be a start.
Located in the Rosemary District, the pocket park is named after Sarasota's first Black community.
Volunteers with shovels are trying to reshape the inlet that closed 40 years ago in an effort to continue the tidal exchange of water, which was restored by the hurricane.
From dramas to comedies, don't miss these extraordinary plays and musicals about ordinary lives. They're coming soon to a theater near you.
Growth in school sports programs is outpacing that of the number of officials.
Ksenia Maguire hopes to bring sailors and members of the Squadron relaxation and community after hard working days on Sarasota Bay.
A man was ordered to cease contact with neighbors after verbally assaulting them over a new dock as they returned from a boat outing. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.
Hurricane Helene is the latest hurricane that didn't follow the trend of protection of the island from tropical storms.
Sisterhood for Good hopes to raise $50,000 or more from its signature event.
In addition to a ceremonial groundbreaking, the developer of the final Quay project throws a party to mark the start of construction.
Whitney Beach started as a touristy fishing spot and has grown to the perfect place for families and learning about the roots of the island.
Haile Middle School nears completion on its renovation and addition while Tara Elementary is nearly half complete.
A Bird Key home on Mourning Dove Drive tops the week's sales at $2.7 million.
The club started in 2017 with 40 members and now has over 1,700 members.
Dr. Alexander Telfair shared about his experience and his goals as he starts to work on Longboat Key.
Proceeds from a benefit cocktail party will support the Sarasota girl through the nonprofit Love McKinley.
The day Hurricane Helene passed by Longboat Key, District 1 Commissioner Gary Coffin ended up spending the night on his boat to prevent it from slipping away.
The annual Hall of Fame ceremony, the first held at Circus Arts Conservatory, also gave students the chance to showcase their acrobatic skills.
Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.
A Country Club East home on Seacroft Cove tops the week's sales at $2.6 million.
Lakewood Ranch psychiatrist Stacy Greeter said Post-traumatic stress disorder gets activated from past negative storm experiences.
The K-8 school in Lakewood Ranch will be open for voluntary enrollment for certain families.
After receiving a high utility bill and finding a cut sprinkler line, a resident was suspicious that her neighbor was to blame. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's Cops Corner.
An unidentified City of Sarasota director level employee is under consideration to replace the retiring Marlon Brown as the city plans for national search.
