News & City Life

Update

Water Rescues Are Happening Across Sarasota-Manatee

Manatee County will perform a strategic release of water at Lake Manatee and Sarasota County is opening an evacuation center at Suncoast Technical College today at 5 p.m.

08/05/2024 By Staff

Hurricanes

Hurricane Debby Dumped Almost 10 Inches of Rain on Sarasota on Sunday—and It's Not Over Yet

"Because the winds have been gale force for 12 hours, blowing water inland, we might see more significant flooding today than yesterday," warns Bob Bunting, the founder and chief executive officer of Sarasota's Climate Adaptation Center.

08/05/2024 By Megan McDonald

Weather

Tropical Storm Debby Will Bring Heavy Rain, Wind and Possible Coastal Flooding to Our Area

Be prepared for freshwater flooding from lots of rain and gale force winds of 50 to 60 miles per hour on the barrier islands as the storm passes.

08/04/2024 By Bob Bunting

Tropical Storm Debby

Tropical Storm Debby Has Officially Formed; Manatee County Issues Voluntary Evacuation for Zone A

Despite being out of the "cone of uncertainty," our region will still see 5 to 10 inches of rain and potential flooding and storm surge.

08/03/2024 By Megan McDonald

Awards

Sarasota Magazine Wins 2024 Magazine of the Year

We were recently named the state’s best overall magazine by the Florida Magazine Association while winning 21 other statewide awards.

08/02/2024

Weather

Keep Your Eyes on the Tropics: Invest 97L Could Become Tropical Storm Debby This Weekend

No matter what, the Suncoast is forecast to get 3 to 5 inches of rain over the next few days.

08/02/2024 By Bob Bunting

Freeze Frame

Dari Williams Goggans Is a Legend in the Sarasota Art World

At her Jessica's Picture Framing, she has hundreds of loyal customers.

07/31/2024 By Cooper Levey-Baker

Drum roll, please...

The St. Regis Longboat Key Will Open on Aug. 14

The long-anticipated completion of the prestigious waterfront resort will bring a spa, seven restaurants, events space, multiple pools and more.

07/31/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Under the Sea

Meet the Woman Behind Downtown Sarasota’s Mermaid Fountain

Nancy Goodheart Matthews' iconic fountain is included in the Smithsonian Institution's registry of public art. The City of Sarasota will celebrate the recognition with a gathering on Friday, Sept. 13.

07/30/2024 By Megan McDonald

Grant Report

Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr. Donate $107,643 to Embracing Our Differences

Plus, the Community Foundation of Sarasota County awards more than $1.7 in scholarships, Gulf Coast Community Foundation approves $1.3 million in grants, and more.

07/29/2024 By Staff

Fast Track

Juliette Feld Grossman Named CEO of Feld Entertainment

Plus, new board member appointments; Leadership Sarasota's 2025 Leadership Class, and more.

07/29/2024 By Staff

In Full Flower

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Named to TIME List of 'World's Greatest Places'

It's one of just eight U.S. destinations and the only botanical garden on the list.

07/25/2024 By Megan McDonald

Seeing Stars

Visit Sarasota County Inks Name, Image and License Deal With 2024 Olympic Swimmer Emma Weyant

Weyant, who won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, will swim the 400-meter individual medley at the Paris Olympics this month.

07/17/2024 By Megan McDonald

Air Quality

Sarasota County Issues Air Quality Alert Due to Saharan Dust

Particulate matter levels from the dust may reach the "unhealthy for sensitive groups" category.

07/11/2024 By Staff

Listening to Black Voices

Transportation Expert Paul Toliver on Growing Up in Segregated Alabama and the Impact of AI on Public Transit

"It's important to believe that we all have a right to be here."

07/09/2024 By Heather Dunhill

Fast Track

Conservation Foundation Hires New Controller

Plus, board appointments, Goodwill Manasota's Community Ambassadors of the Year, and more.

07/08/2024 By Staff

Grant Report

FST Receives $2 Million Gift to Support Arts Plaza Project

Plus, USF receives a $1 million estate gift and CareerEdge receives a $150,000 grant from Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

07/08/2024 By Staff

Throwback

Photos: 125 Years of Sarasota Swimsuits

Oh, how times have changed! As we enter the dog days of summer, let's take a look back at a century of Sarasota swimwear.

07/05/2024 By Megan McDonald

Preserving Paradise

The Environmental Conservancy of North Port Secures Land to Keep It Wild

"It's disturbing how much nature we’re losing by the year," says Barbara Lockhart, the nonprofit's volunteer president.

07/02/2024 By Matthew Gutierrez

Power Up

Selby Gardens Has Become the World's First Net Positive Energy Botanical Gardens

Switching on the gardens' solar arrays is the latest advance since the January grand opening of phase one of the gardens’ Master Plan.

07/01/2024 By Staff