Education

Sarasota, Manatee County School Districts Announce Reopening Plans

Sarasota County schools will reopen on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Manatee County schools will reopen tomorrow, Oct. 15.

10/14/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Mote, the Van Wezel and the Hermitage Artist Retreat Experienced Major Damage from Hurricane Milton

The Van Wezel has canceled shows through December. Mote and the Hermitage are closed due to the impacts of the storm.

10/14/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

SRQ Airport Sustained Major Damage in Hurricane Milton and Will Be Closed Until Oct. 16

The airport lost the entirety of its roof over Concourse B during Hurricane Milton.

10/11/2024 By Staff

Health Care

Seven Babies Were Born at Sarasota Memorial Hospital During the Hurricane

No, none of them were named Milton.

10/10/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Access to the Barrier Islands Will Close Tonight

After 7 p.m., community members will continue to be able to get off the barrier islands, but no entry will be allowed back on until after post-storm search and rescue mission is completed.

10/08/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Water to the Barrier Islands Will Be Shut Off Tuesday Morning

The precautionary measure protects utilities infrastructure from high wind and storm surge, which is expected to be between 8 feet and 12 feet in some parts of Suncoast.

10/07/2024 By Staff

Disaster Preparedness

Your iPhone Has Satellite Capabilities That Could Help You During a Hurricane

Google Pixel 9 series phones also have emergency satellite services enabled.

10/07/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Tolls Have Been Suspended to Assist Floridians in Hurricane Milton Evacuations

Tolls are suspended throughout west and central Florida, in addition to Alligator Alley in Collier and Broward counties, to facilitate evacuations.

10/07/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Both Sarasota and Manatee Counties Call For Zones A, B and C to Evacuate Now

Along with the City of Anna Maria and the Town of Longboat Key, zones A through C, and all who live in manufactured home, mobile home or boat communities, are being evacuated ahead of Hurricane Milton.

10/07/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Milton

Ahead of Milton, Sarasota and Manatee Counties Open More Sandbag Locations

Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on Wednesday. Here's where to get sandbags if you need them.

10/07/2024 By Staff

Not Again

Several Inches of Rain May Come This Weekend. Here's Where You Can Get Sandbags.

Sarasota County is opening three sites.

10/03/2024 By Staff

Helping the Helpers

Gulf Coast Community Foundation Partners With Southern Smoke Foundation to Support Food and Beverage Workers

The Southern Smoke Foundation will provide bridge funding fueled by Gulf Coast's Rapid Response Fund to ensure life-sustaining support for those in areas of greatest need.

10/03/2024 By Staff

In the Pocket

Overtown Square, Sarasota's Newest Park, Is Now Open

City officials and local leaders gathered Wednesday morning to officially open the park to the public.

10/02/2024 By Staff

Philanthropy

Foundations Provide Funding for Disaster Relief in Sarasota-Manatee

The Patterson Foundation has initiated major support for two initiatives managed by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

10/01/2024 By Staff

Disaster Relief

FEMA Payments, Clean and Sanitize Assistance, Serious Needs Assistance Available

Two Disaster Recovery Centers are also open in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

09/30/2024 By Staff

The Economy

Hurricane Helene Has Caused Tens of Billions of Dollars in Damage, Economic Loss

Those numbers could rise as we learn more about the storm's path of devastation.

09/30/2024 By Staff

Disaster Relief

How to Give and Get Help After Hurricane Helene

We'll keep this list updated as more services and resources become available.

09/30/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Recovery

What to Know About Hurricane Helene Recovery: Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024

Local governments continued to restore water and power, and limited re-entry was permitted to the barrier islands. A curfew remains in place throughout all of Anna Maria.

09/28/2024 By Staff

Disaster Relief

What to Know About Hurricane Helene Recovery: Friday, Sept. 27, 2024

Information on debris pickup and more.

09/27/2024 By Staff

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene Is Causing Widespread Flooding Throughout the Region

Flood and storm surge warnings are in effect, and a tornado watch has also been issued for the region. Here's what else to know tonight.

09/26/2024 By Staff