Latest reporting from the Community desk.
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.
Community
Grace Community Church opened the Barry Martin Student Center, a 15,000-square-foot facility on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard serving about 800 children and middle schoolers, with high school students expected in early October and after-school drop-ins planned by January.
Community
Ten Lakewood Ranch cheerleaders and dancers earned spots in the 100th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 26 and are each raising $4,000 for the trip after their school could not fund it two years running.
Community
Eight Lakewood Ranch High School students won spots in the Manatee County High School Honor Orchestra through blind auditions and will perform Oct. 3 in Bradenton, while Andrew Temple and Julian Vallarta were named 2027 National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.
Community
A guide to the week's events in Lakewood Ranch, including the FORE the Environment Golf Tournament at River Club, a Sarasota Paradise home match at Premier Sports Campus, a comedy dinner at Grove and the weekly Farmers' Market at Waterside Place.
Community
Lakewood Ranch resident Marvin Crepea, a retired Army captain, recounts surviving the World Trade Center collapse as the community marks the 25th anniversary with a commemoration at Greenbrook Adventure Park.
Community
The School District of Manatee County will screen the film "Rudy" at the Lakewood Ranch Branch Library on Sept. 22 as part of a free Family Literacy Movie Night series during National Literacy Month.
Community
A 9/11 commemoration at Greenbrook Adventure Park, a Movie in the Park screening of "Tangled" at Waterside and a 100-vendor farmers market headline a packed week of free and low-cost events in Lakewood Ranch from Sept. 10 through 16.
Community
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center has partnered with Publix Pharmacy to deliver prescriptions directly to patients' hospital rooms before discharge, aiming to reduce preventable readmissions and eliminate post-discharge pharmacy trips.
Community
The Humane Society of Manatee County announced a campus overhaul in Bradenton that includes a 4,000-square-foot cat facility expected in May 2027 and a 12,000-square-foot Second Chance Adoption Center scheduled for May 2028, designed by Lakewood Ranch-based Fawley Bryant Architecture.
Community
Duke Energy Florida filed a request with the Florida Public Service Commission to lower electricity rates starting in January 2027, projecting a $0.71 monthly decrease for typical residential customers and reductions of 0.8% to 3.6% for commercial and industrial accounts in the Sarasota-Manatee area.
Community
New U.S. Census Bureau data shows Manatee County's 65-and-older population already exceeds the level the nation is projected to reach by 2060, with implications for health care and services across Lakewood Ranch.
Community
Free and low-cost events anchor Lakewood Ranch's week, from the 100-vendor Farmers' Market and Music on Main block party to live music, yoga and volleyball at Waterside Place.
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