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Siesta Key, FL · Events

Herald-Tribune

partner publisher · 37.9K followers

Ruby Bridges walked into history in 1960. Now she inspires Sarasota

Ruby Bridges came to Sarasota on Thursday , and the community that spent five years working to bring her here made sure she knew it. The activist and civil rights pioneer was 6 years old when she was escorted by four federal marshals into William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960, becoming the first Black child to attend the previously all-white school. Bridges arrived at Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, the first integrated elementary school in Sarasota County, to a sea of purple and cheers from students, teachers and parents gathered for the fifth annual Ruby Bridges Walk to School. For the students who have walked in her honor for five years, Thursday was the first time they got to connect a piece of history to the present. One step at a time Five years ago, Bay Haven School of Basics Plus teacher Teidra Everett came to her Sarasota elementary school with an idea. She wanted her students to understand that courage wasn’t something that belonged only to history books — that it lived in real people, on real streets, in cities not so different from their own. After learning about the annual commemorative walk from classroom

Sarasota, FL · 1d

fox13news.com

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Sarasota County family shares journey after pioneering in-womb spina bifida repair

A Nokomis couple learned at 20 weeks pregnant that their son, Theo, had spina bifida, prompting an urgent trip to Texas Children's Hospital for specialized fetal surgery. Surgeons closed the open lesion on Theo's back while he was still in the womb, a five-hour procedure that doubles a child's chances of walking unaided.

Sarasota County, FL · 14h

sarasotanewsleader.com

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Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center ranked among nation’s ‘Best Nursing Homes’ 2027

U.S. News honor follows Newsweek’s recognition of health care system just weeks earlier. Once again, the Sarasota Memorial Nursing & Rehabilitation Center has “been named among the nation’s best nursing homes, earning the highest possible ratings for both short-term rehabilitation and long-term care” in U.S. News & World Report’s 2027 Best Nursing Homes rankings, released on Nov. 10, the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMH) has announced.

Sarasota, FL · 1d

venicegov.com

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Clearing the way for Seaboard's future

The City of Venice is clearing the way for the next chapter of one of the community's oldest districts. Demolition recently took place at the City's former Public Works facility on Seaboard Avenue, removing structures from property that sits near the heart of the City's long-term vision for redevelopment of the Seaboard area. Seaboard has historically served as Venice's industrial district, with its growth tied to the railroad and the original John Nolen plan for the community. Today, the City is working to guide its transition into a walkable mixed-use district that can accommodate residential, commercial, retail and continued light-industrial activity. The demolition also increases the flexibility of a significant block of City-controlled property. The former Public Works site comprises approximately 2.5 acres and is adjacent to 3.3 acres of cleared property also owned by the City, bringing the combined area to approximately 5.8 acres.

Venice, FL · 22h

thebradentontimes.com

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Amendment 3 Passed. Now we do the math

Amendment 3 passed last Tuesday with 62% of the statewide vote (65% in Manatee County), which surpassed the 60% threshold needed to add the additional tax exemptions into the Florida Constitution. I’m not going to rehash the risks, or the merits, of this as it’s now final. You can look back on my Substack for posts if you’d like to review my thoughts.

Manatee County, FL · 14h

ecomagazine.com

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Sarasota Bay Listening Network Goes Public with Live Dolphin Audio

The public website offers live hydrophone audio, profiles of more than 100 individually identified dolphins(Image credit: Sarasota Bay Listening Network) The website brings the Sarasota Bay Listening Network (SBLN) to the public. Led by SDRP, SBLN is a collaborative passive acoustic monitoring program that uses hydrophones (underwater microphones) at 20 shore-based listening stations to continuously record underwater sounds in and around the Sarasota Bay estuary. The network has collected more than 500,000 hours of acoustic recordings since 2017, capturing sounds of bottlenose dolphins, manatees, fish, and invertebrates, along with vessel traffic, weather, and other features of the bay soundscape.

Sarasota, FL · 22h

Venice Gondolier

partner publisher · 9.3K followers

'I don't want to see the bullies win:' Pine View teacher will fight for license

OSPREY — Since September, multiple state officials have called for further investigation into Pine View teacher Liz Ballard, despite Sarasota County Schools finding her innocent of allegations involving two students stemming back years.

Sarasota County, FL · 2d

dinesarasota.com

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Still Famous After All These Years

For 68 years, Sarasota’s Main Bar Sandwich Shop has been serving up a little history, a lot of sandwiches, and one very Famous Italian. ⏱️ Time Flies When You’re Having Fun. About ten years before Chip Beeman was born, something was happening in Sarasota. Something that would become a BIG part of his and his family’s lives.

Sarasota, FL · 1d

sarasotamagazine.com

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This Year's Big List of Sarasota Holiday Happenings

This year's merry celebration features giant balloons, floats, marching bands, dance troupes and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The excitement continues with thrilling FMX stunts by Nik Wallenda’s Wonderland Circus, the lighting of UTC’s 50-foot holiday tree, fireworks and an after-party concert. Dec. 2-Jan.3. 1012 N. Orange...

Sarasota, FL · 16h

NewsRadio WFLA

partner publisher · 69.0K followers

IKEA Announces Opening Date for New Sarasota Store at UTC

IKEA will open its new 48,000-square-foot Sarasota store at University Town Center on November 18th, featuring thousands of home furnishings, dining options and grand opening activities.

Sarasota, FL · 2d

Herald-Tribune

partner publisher · 37.9K followers

NCAA November signings. Venice, Riverview, Sarasota, Mooney among those celebrating

A roundup from the NCAA November 2026 signing period. Venice Venice High School held its National Signing Day ceremony on Wednesday, November 11, celebrating 14 athletes. Six Venice baseball players signed on Wednesday, including right-handed pitcher Kasen Poplin (Liberty University), outfielder/right-handed pitcher RJ Shields (Mississippi State), outfielder August Backman (Florida), shortstop Graham Houston (LSU), catcher Jonathan Mauro (Columbia) and pitcher Aiden Cary (Santa Fe Community College). Shields is one of the top recruits in the country, ranking 97th nationally, according to Perfect Game. During the 2026 season, Shields posted a slash line of .299/.417/.448 in 87 at bats. He had a 0.34 ERA and 0.79 WHIP, striking out 26 batters. “It was nice to sign next to all my brothers,” Shields said. “I’ve been playing with them for four years. It’s just really cool to see how we’ve come.” Alongside Shields, Backman inked his commitment to Florida. Last season, Backman was talking to both Florida and Virginia, during a standout junior season. He had a slash line of .485/.587/.713 in 101 at bats. Once Backman took an unofficial visit to Florida, he cancelled his visit to Virginia that was scheduled for the next weekend. Backman said he was shown everything

Sarasota, FL · 2d

The Financial Wire

partner publisher · 66.9K followers

UnitedHealthcare says Lee Health intends to leave its Medicare Advantage network Jan. 1, 2027, and Sarasota Memorial says renewing its contract appears very unlikely

UnitedHealthcare sent Lee Health a proposal on Oct. 30 to keep its Medicare Advantage and commercial members in network, and the insurer’s Lee Health notice, updated Nov. 3, says the Lee County system still intends to leave both networks starting Jan. 1, 2027. Across the Gulf Coast in Sarasota, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System says... The post UnitedHealthcare says Lee Health intends to leave its Medicare Advantage network Jan. 1, 2027, and Sarasota Memorial says renewing its contract appears very unlikely appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Lee County, FL · 3d

Mysuncoast.com

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Expert says Blackburn Point Bridge in Osprey is worth rehabilitating

OSPREY, Fla. (WWSB) - An expert brought in by the Sarasota Alliance for Historic Preservation said the Blackburn Point Swing Bridge in Osprey is worth rehabilitating after he surveyed the structure. The bridge, built in 1926, crosses the Intracoastal Waterway. It is one of the few remaining swing bridges in...

Osprey, FL · 23h

sarasotanewsleader.com

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Ohlrich the new mayor of Sarasota, with Ahearn-Koch serving as vice mayor

Entler formally joins City Commission during Nov. 6 special meeting. Along with a new commissioner, the City of Sarasota has a new mayor and a new vice mayor, thanks to votes taken during a special meeting of the board members on Nov. 6. With Flo Entler of Arlington Park replacing...

Sarasota, FL · 1d

suncoastsearchlight.org

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After Lake Manatee Dam flooding, county turns to high-tech solution

As local officials released water from the Lake Manatee Dam to manage rising reservoir levels during Tropical Storm Debby, residents felt they were left with little warning to prepare for the flooding. Now, Manatee County officials are using a real-time data monitoring system, implemented after the dam flood, to help...

Manatee County, FL · 1d

sarasotamagazine.com

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Munchies 420 Café Is Reopening Under Its Original Ownership

Sarasota has more than its fair share of fine dining establishments. There’s no shortage of places you can go at a reasonable hour to eat reasonable food while dressing and acting reasonably. Munchies 420 Café was not one of those places—and its patrons wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Sarasota, FL · 2d

Mysuncoast.com

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Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade set for Nov. 14 at University Town Center

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Thousands of families will gather at University Town Center (UTC) on Saturday, Nov. 14, for Santa’s Grand Arrival Parade. The event includes entertainers, giant balloons, floats, fireworks and a free after-party concert featuring a nationally known headliner. The headliner will be announced later this month.

Sarasota, FL · 17h

wslr.org

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Suncoast Searchlight: Sarasota County jail likely to hit overcrowding milestone

The jail is expected to be over capacity even by the time a planned addition is finished. Host: Sarasota County has the most overpopulated jail in Florida. As the inmate population continues to climb, a new addition is planned. But even that may not be enough to avoid the expensive transfer of some inmates to other facilities. Christian Casale with Suncoast Searchlight reports.

Sarasota County, FL · 2d