Sarasota continues experiment with electric school buses
School districts across the U.S. are increasingly moving towards electric school buses, and Sarasota is no different. Across the country, the shift has been driven by a combination of factors, including environmental concerns, the potential for cost savings, and government funding opportunities, although noted the...
‘Center for the Arts’ no longer includes a conference center
Conceptual plans for a previously estimated $161.7 million redevelopment project along St. Petersburg’s downtown waterfront continue evolving as the city receives stakeholder feedback. Tentatively dubbed the Center for the Arts, the cohesive district will no longer feature a conference center. Al Lang Stadium is in...
St. Pete struggles to keep pace with road deterioration
The vast majority of roads in St. Petersburg are in satisfactory or good condition. However, officials are losing the race against deterioration, and recent storms have exacerbated the issue. The number of failed roadway segments has plummeted from 37 in 2019, when the city conducted its first pavement condition...
St. Pete’s Capybara Cafe offers cute, furry fun
The Capybara Café just opened in St. Petersburg and provides a chance to interact with capybaras and other animals.
Selby Gardens names new board leadership
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Board of Trustees has elected new leadership and appointed three members to three-year terms. Katherine Martucci has been named chair and Jeannie Russell vice chair for the 2026 fiscal year. In addition, new board members are Sherry Koski, Kevin O’Donohue and Nikki Sedacca. Martucci...
Build-to-rent community under construction in Palmetto
A project in Manatee County that will bring more than 250 build-to-rent homes to Palmetto is now under construction. CBI Construction Services, based in Alabama, has officially begun construction on the community off Moccasin Wallow Road, which is called Abrazo at Robinson Gateway. When built out, Abrazo at Robinson...
Manatee nonprofit raises money to help Texas flood victims
MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — There are several ways to help victims in Texas, including by going through local nonprofits who are passing along aid. A Manatee County resident is on a mission to provide support to families and first responders in the flood-affected communities. What You Need To Know.
Knight wins fellow commissioners’ agreement for county administrator to try to persuade constitutional officers...
Plans to balance next year’s county budget with ‘rainy day’ reserves and projections of multimillion-dollar deficits in the future cited as major concerns. During the board’s regular meeting on July 8, in Venice, Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight won full support from his colleagues to direct County...
ALICE: The Working Families Who Need Us Most
According to UnitedForALICE.org's 2025 report, it’s estimated that a family of four in our region needs a combined income of $99,730 just to meet basic needs like meals, housing, transportation, childcare, and utilities. In comparison, the median household income of Manatee County’s 190,091 households is $79,524,...
Hillsborough County, FL, China Star restaurant cited for 12 violations during recent inspection
China Star in Apollo Beach, Florida, received an administrative complaint recommendation following a routine food inspection by the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation. The inspection on July 1, 2025, found 12 violations, prompting the need for a follow-up inspection.
