News & City Life

Preventative Care

In Response to Forecast for Heavy Rain, Sarasota County to Open Sandbag Locations

Self-serve sandbags are available on Clark Road in Sarasota and Annex Road in Venice from 3-7 p.m. on Aug. 22 and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. on Aug. 23.

08/22/2024 By Megan McDonald

Hello, Neighbor

The Former Circus City Architectural Salvage Building Is Now a New Event Space

The almost 6,000-square-foot space on the corner of Central Avenue and 10th Street is now open and invites you to visit and take a tour.

08/21/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Play Ball!

Pirates, Orioles and Braves Announce 2025 Spring Training Schedules

Start planning your games now.

08/21/2024 By Megan McDonald

Vote!

How to Vote in Sarasota County and Manatee County in 2024

Whether you're a first-time voter in Sarasota County or Manatee County, or an old pro who simply needs a refresher, here's everything you need to know.

08/20/2024 By Megan McDonald

Listening to Black Voices

Walter Gilbert on Growing up in Newtown, Community Activism and the State of DEI

"Everyone should have an opportunity to be as good as they can be. We all have to be willing to stand up and say some things out loud."

08/20/2024 By Heather Dunhill

Hi, my name is

Sarasota's New Rosemary District Park Will Be Named Overtown Square

City commissioners decided on the name in a unanimous vote on Monday night.

08/20/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Grant Report

Barancik Foundation Awards $5.2 Million in Grants to Local Nonprofits

Plus: a $1 million gift to Asolo Rep and a $100,000 donation to Legal Aid of Manasota.

08/19/2024 By Staff

Fast Track

Sarasota Opera Expands Development Team With Key Hires

Plus: First 1,000 Days Suncoast names a new family navigator and The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce awards five new scholarships.

08/19/2024 By Staff

See Change

The SEE Alliance Is Working to Mobilize Florida's Young Voters

'The movement that is growing within Gen Z in Florida right now is monumental, unique to circumstance and cannot easily be recreated or reinvigorated later on,' says SEE Alliance founder Zander Moricz.

08/19/2024 By Elizabeth Djinis

Why Wawa?

A New Wawa Opened in Sarasota Today. I Needed to Find Out Why People Love This Store So Much.

It's a gas station and fast food joint, so why are so many people woo-woo over Wawa? I went to the grand opening to find out.

08/16/2024 By Kim Doleatto

Fast Track

Manasota ASALH Names Jada Wright-Greene Executive Director

Plus, Senior Friendship Centers' Erin McLeod receives U.S. President's Volunteer Service Award/Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

08/12/2024 By Staff

Turtle Time

Mote Releases Lil' Dougie, a Rehabilitated Loggerhead Sea Turtle, on Siesta Key Beach

The female loggerhead sea turtle was found floating in Blackburn Bay by Doug Johnson, a Sarasota County Sheriff's office staff member.

08/12/2024 By Megan McDonald

We'll Always Have Paris

Here's How Our Local Olympians Did at the Paris Games

Clark Dean and Emma Weyant won bronze medals in rowing and swimming, while Evo Gymnastics' Stephen Nedoroscik, aka 'Pommel Horse Guy,' took the internet by storm.

08/12/2024 By Megan McDonald

Vote!

Early Voting for the August 20 Primary Election Is Underway

Despite widespread impacts from Hurricane Debby in both counties, Supervisors of Elections Ron Turner and James Satcher say all early voting sites are open and ready for voters.

08/09/2024 By Staff

Alert

The National Weather Service Has Issued a Flood Warning for Areas Near the Myakka River

Areas immediately surrounding the river, especially low-lying areas, may experience up to 2 feet of flooding between Thursday and Saturday.

08/07/2024 By Staff

Hallelujah!

A Selby Gardens Botanist Was Part of a Team That Discovered a New ‘Miracle Plant’ in Ecuador

Amalophyllon miraculum was found in an area of Ecuador that botanists had almost entirely written off because of deforestation.

08/07/2024 By Megan McDonald

Stay Put

UPDATED: These Roads are Closed in Sarasota and Manatee Counties

A flooded road is a closed road, so shelter in place whenever possible until things are back up and running as usual.

08/07/2024 By Lauren Jackson

Resource Guide

Here's How to Find Help After Hurricane Debby

Share this list with anyone who needs it, and remember to stay safe in today's high heat as you assess damage.

08/06/2024 By Megan McDonald

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

Sarasota Magazine