State College of Florida began spring 2027 registration on Monday, Oct. 5, with classes at the Lakewood Ranch campus starting Jan. 11, and new students able to register starting Oct. 12.
Sign up for our daily newsletter.
Your newsletter subscriptions are subject to our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
Health
Health
Sarasota Memorial plans $1B expansion across Manatee, Venice
Sarasota Memorial's hospital board approved a $60 million Manatee County land deal and a 54,000-square-foot Venice outpatient cancer center lease on Sept. 22, adding to an $82.5 million rehab pavilion already under way as the health system invests more than $1 billion in regional expansion.
Health
Sarasota Memorial buys 120 acres near I-75 for Manatee campus
Sarasota Memorial's governing board approved a nearly $60 million purchase of 120 acres near I-75 and SR 64 in Manatee County, land that could eventually house a full medical campus with a freestanding ER as its first phase.
Local Government
Local Government
Manatee approves $125 million for flood, stormwater projects
Manatee County commissioners approved more than $100 million in federal disaster recovery funding for 22 stormwater and flood-mitigation projects, including a $24.9 million automated outfall project at Pearce Drain that officials say could reduce repeated flooding in Center Lake.
Education
Education
SCF opens spring 2027 enrollment at Lakewood Ranch campus
State College of Florida began spring 2027 registration on Monday, Oct. 5, with classes at the Lakewood Ranch campus starting Jan. 11, and new students able to register starting Oct. 12.
Education
Lakewood Ranch High gets new HVAC, LED lights as campus nears 30
Lakewood Ranch High School is getting a full HVAC overhaul and new LED field lights as the campus approaches its 30th year, with classroom relocations planned after the winter holidays.
Public Safety
Public Safety
Lakewood Ranch firefighters deploy to Panhandle for Isaias recovery
Six firefighters who serve the Lakewood Ranch area deployed to Escambia County on Sunday to assist with Hurricane Isaias recovery, the second joint mutual-aid mission for West Manatee Fire Rescue and North River Fire Rescue in two months.
Public Safety
Manatee deputies charge mother after child's fatal shooting
Diamond Sharee'Nicole Phillips, 29, of Sarasota, faces a third-degree felony charge after her 4-year-old son fatally shot himself with a loaded handgun left unsecured in her purse, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office said.
Community
Community
Sarasota OKs $3.79M Legacy Trail link near Lakewood Ranch
Sarasota County commissioners approved $3.79 million to extend the Legacy Trail 1.7 miles to Nathan Benderson Park near the UTC area, with a possible future connection into Manatee County that could benefit Lakewood Ranch trail users.
Business
Business
Chipotle opens 1,500th Chipotlane in Lakewood Ranch
Chipotle Mexican Grill opened its eighth Manatee County restaurant on Tuesday, Sept. 29, at 16680 State Road 64 E. in Lakewood Ranch's Northchase Center, marking the company's 1,500th location with a Chipotlane drive-thru.
Business
Allegiant schedules 32 weekly SRQ departures to 15 cities
Allegiant Air scheduled 32 departing flights from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport during the week of Sept. 24, serving 15 nonstop destinations, with a new seasonal Providence route and expanded Flint service launching in February 2027.
Sports
Sports
Premier aquatics center targets December opening in Lakewood Ranch
Manatee County officials detailed the $44 million Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North on the county's podcast, outlining the 50-meter competition pool, 24 pickleball courts and water-safety planning ahead of a targeted late-December opening.
Sports
Fishing tournament draws 115 young anglers to Lakewood Ranch
The Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament brought 115 participants ages 5 to 19 to Lake Uihlein on Saturday, Oct. 3, with Premier Tackle donating more than $4,000 in prizes across three age groups.
.jpg)
Megan O'Neill
Editor
Megan published her first poem in the Sun Sentinel at the age of 11 and has been locked in ever since. She attended UF and FIU and has a degree in Communication Arts. Her professional background includes photography, editing, writing, translation, and graphic design. Megan enjoys learning language, art and vegan foods.
©2026 Lakewood Ranch Beacon
Powered by Surround Sound Media