News & City Life

Hurricanes

DeSantis Declares State of Emergency Ahead of Tropical Storm Ian

The governor also requested a federal pre-landfall emergency declaration.

09/24/2022 By Staff

Hurricanes

Tropical Storm Ian Forms in the Carribbean; Could Strike Sarasota-Manatee

Conditions will likely begin to deteriorate on Tuesday night. The following 24 hours looks like the time of major concern.

09/24/2022 By Bob Bunting

Hurricane Season

Do You Know Your Evacuation Zone?

Use Sarasota and Manatee counties' interactive tools to find evacuation levels and routes, shelters and more.

09/24/2022 By Megan McDonald

Hurricanes

Keep Your Eye on the Tropics Right Now

After a summer of Saharan dust inhibiting hurricane formation, scientist Bob Bunting says conditions are now near-perfect for storm development.

09/22/2022 By Bob Bunting

Philanthropy

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Opens Sarasota Philanthropy Center in Downtown Sarasota

The center, located on State Street, is an extension of Gulf Coast's Venice HQ.

09/21/2022 By Staff

Grant Report

Hermitage Artist Retreat Receives More Than $220,000 in Grants

Plus, ALSO Youth begins construction on an expanded Manatee County space funded by the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation.

09/19/2022 By Staff

Fast Track

Van Wezel Names New General Manager

Plus, 40 Sarasota County students are named National Merit finalists and a new Brazilian jiu jitsu facility is set to open in Lakewood Ranch.

09/19/2022 By Staff

You Teach Me and I'll Teach You

Sarasota Now Has a Pokémon Store

Poke Ballers Mart caters to people of all ages who are obsessed with Pokémon cards, games and shows.

09/16/2022 By Kim Doleatto

New Wave

Drug Overdoses Are Rising Again. Why?

There have been 134 overdoses in Sarasota and 309 in Manatee since just this May, and the numbers keep growing.

09/16/2022 By Allison Forsyth

Strength in Numbers

Giving Circles Bring Together Like-Minded Philanthropists to Help Those in Need

The last 10 years have seen the creation of a number of giving circles—organizations that require an annual minimum donation and work together on a membership basis.

09/16/2022 By Elizabeth Djinis

Listening to Black Voices

Jetson Grimes on Sarasota's Black History and the Importance of Community Activism

Grimes owns Jetson's Creative Trends in Newtown, a community cornerstone, and is the founder of the Greater Newtown Redevelopment Corp.

09/13/2022 By Heather Dunhill

Conspira-Sota

Eight Sarasota-Centric Conspiracy Theories That Range From the Very Absurd to the Very Real

From the Skunk Ape to We Build the Wall, Sarasota has played a role in conspiracies both real and imagined.

09/13/2022 By Isaac Eger

Fast Track

CenterPlace Health Names New CEO

Plus, The Sarasota Ballet names a new chief strategy and advancement officer and All Faiths Food Bank hires a new CFO.

09/12/2022 By Staff

Grant Report

Selby Gardens to Receive $2.5 Million Gift from Estate of Longtime Volunteer

Plus, the Barancik Foundation awards a $1 million grant to Safe Children Coalition and more.

09/12/2022 By Staff

Journalism

'Community News Collaborative' Launches to Expand Local News Coverage

The project will create print, video and audio content for syndication to more than a dozen news outlets across the Gulf Coast.

09/12/2022 By Staff

Essential Intelligence

What to Know About Hispanic Heritage Month

Plus, details on Sarasota’s beloved Hispanic Fall Festival.

09/12/2022 By Dariela Delgado

Flashback

Here's What Mira Mar Plaza Looked Like in the 1920s

The dates from 1923, when a growing Sarasota realized it needed a new hotel.

09/12/2022 By Kay Kipling

Bidding Farewell

Sarasotans Mourn Queen Elizabeth II's Death

Britain's longest-serving monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, died Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She was 96. Here's how locals are remembering her.

09/09/2022 By Kim Doleatto

No Butts About It

City of Sarasota Public Parks and Beaches Are One Step Closer to Being Butt-Free

City of Sarasota officials voted unanimously to move forward with banning smoking in city-owned parks and public beaches.

09/07/2022 By Kim Doleatto

Play Ball!

Orioles Announce 2023 Spring Training Schedule

Spring training kicks off Feb. 25, 2023, at Ed Smith Stadium against the Minnesota Twins.

09/07/2022 By Megan McDonald