The Oracle · Memphis, FL
South Florida suffered its fourth loss Thursday night against the University of Memphis in a game that saw no shortage of offense. Both teams combined for 1,133 total yards and 93 points, with Memphis getting the best of USF at the end 52-41. Memphis junior redshirt quarterback Marcus Stokes started off hot with two first […]
The Baylor Lariat · Bradenton, FL
Nearby: Bradenton, FLBy Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer Baylor women’s basketball announced three signings on Wednesday. The class of 2027 commitments include two five-stars and one four-star, putting the Bears in the No. 3 recruiting class according to 247Sports. This is Baylor’s first time ranking in the top five for recruiting classes in head coach Nicki Collen’s era. The last time the Bears were ranked in the top five was in 2018, when the “Fierce Five,” which featured NaLyssa Smith, Queen Egbo, Aquira DeCosta, Honesty Scott-Grayson and Caitlin Bickle. Headlining the class is five-star Miciah “Mimi” Fusilier. Fusilier is from Bradenton, Florida, and is ranked 19th by 247Sports and the No. 1 player in Florida. “Baylor essentially felt like home the first time I took an unofficial [visit],” said Fusilier.
The Bates Student · Bradenton, FL
Nearby: Bradenton, FLAfter a successful season, for the first time in history, Bates Men’s Club Soccer qualified to compete in the U.S. College Club Soccer (UCCSC) National Championship in Bradenton, Fla. Aside from the talent on the field with experienced seniors, an eager freshman class, and former Bates varsity soccer players, the team’s organizational structure and chemistry contributed to an exceptional season. In addition to this being the first time the Bobcats have made the tournament, this is their first season in the UCCSC New England North Division, where they formally competed in the National Intramural-Recreational Sports Association (NIRSA). Given strong past season performances, the Bobcats were invited among other colleges to compete in UCCSC New England North as this would give them the opportunity to contend in a more competitive league and qualify for a national championship.
Business Observer · Bradenton, FL
Nearby: Bradenton, FLA distinctive 3,500-square-foot office building in Bradenton has hit the market for the first time. The concrete block stucco structure at 2904 Manatee Ave. W. has been occupied by Gary W Sweetman Photography for more than four decades. The photography entrepreneur worked with Sarasota architect William Zoller to design the building, which was constructed in 1984, according to commercial real estate broker Daniel Douglass, who listed the property. Gary W. Sweetman Photography has been operating since 1971. The owner announced in fall 2025 he was planning to retire, according to his Facebook page. Sweetman and Linda M. DiGabriele purchased the 0.15-acre site on Manatee Avenue West near 29th Street West for $33,000 in 1981, according to Manatee County property records. It is now listed for nearly $1.29 million. If the sellers received the full asking price, that would mark a nearly 3,794% return on investment.
The Daily Memphian · Lakewood Ranch, FL
Nearby: Lakewood Ranch, FLMemphis and UAB battled through 90 scoreless minutes before the Blazers scored 43 seconds into overtime in the American Conference women’s soccer championship match Saturday night in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Business Observer · Lakewood Ranch, FL
Nearby: Lakewood Ranch, FLCharley’s Steak House, a popular Florida eatery with three locations, is planning a new restaurant in Lakewood Ranch on a site it purchased about four years ago. The chain’s parent company, Talk of the Town, formerly submitted a site plan application to Manatee County Friday. According to a project narrative included in records from a pre-application meeting in late September, plans call for the construction of a 14,000-square-foot restaurant along with ancillary parking, utility and drainage infrastructure. The project also includes a possible 4,000-square-foot bank with associated parking to be built on the site. (Copies of the site plan were not immediately available on the county’s planning website Monday.) A conceptual plan drawn up by Kimley-Horn, the engineering and design firm working on the project for Talk of the Town, shows the eatery will be built just southwest of Exchange Place Way and back up to an existing pond.
Business Observer · Sarasota, FL
Nearby: Sarasota, FLA Baptist church in one of the most high-traffic areas of Main Street in downtown Sarasota is in expansion mode — the combination of an aging structure and a fast-growing congregation. The cost estimate for the master plan for the project for the organization, First Sarasota Church, is $37 million. The first phase, already underway at the 4-acre campus at 1661 Main St., tucked between Orange and Osprey avenues, is projected at about $17 million. Currently surrounded by blue construction fencing, initial components of the project include everything from a new steeple to interior renovations to a public park are planned. The project is coming together after about five years of planning, according to Senior Associate Pastor Keith McBroom. “Our buildings were long overdue to be refreshed and renovated,” McBroom says. “We were not ADA compliant, but now we will be. We didn't have a fire suppression system. We will now.
Big Bear Grizzly · Sarasota, FL
Nearby: Sarasota, FLSarasota, FL / Storyteller / Nov 11, 2026 /Badger Bob's Services, a local air conditioning repair company serving Sarasota and surrounding communities, is proud to announce its sponsorship of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Sarasota 2026. Badger Bob’s Services offers AC repair near you in Sarasota, FL, and has been in business since 1984.The event, organized by the American Cancer Society, brings people together to raise awareness, support individuals and families affected by breast cancer, and contribute to the fight against the disease.For Badger Bob's Services, the sponsorship is about more than putting the company's name behind a community event. It's an opportunity to support a cause that has touched the lives of countless families, including people living and working throughout the Sarasota area.Breast cancer affects more than the person receiving the diagnosis.
Business Observer · Sarasota, FL
Nearby: Sarasota, FLA new grocery store is opening Thursday in Sarasota. Trader Joe’s will begin welcoming customers for a grand opening celebration at 9 a.m. to its location at 8199 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 100, near Beneva Road, offering samples and a Florida bag giveaway. Previously, the 8,500-square-foot space was occupied by Staples, and it has been under construction for months in a shopping center that also includes Hobby Lobby and Dollar Tree. More than 20 employees will staff the store, including new hires and those transferred from nearby Trader Joe's, according to a statement. The new Sarasota store will be about 5 miles south of the other Sarasota Trader Joe’s, which is located at 4101 S. Tamiami Trail. That store opened in Sarasota in 2012 and at the time was the second Trader Joe’s location in the state after the brand made its Florida debut in Naples, according to sister publication YourObserver.com.
Business Observer · Sarasota, FL
Nearby: Sarasota, FLGlobal furniture company Ikea has set an opening date for its Sarasota store. The location in the University Town Center shopping district will begin welcoming customers on Nov. 18, according to the Ikea Sarasota website. The storefront a147 N. Cattlemen Road has been under construction for months, between DWS and Golf Galaxy near Target and REI, since the retailer first announced in April it was coming to Sarasota. The Sarasota Ikea will occupy about 48,000 square feet. That is smaller than the brand’s traditional big-box store, which spans about 300,000 square feet. Ikea previously told the Business Observer that it plans to have about 46 employees staffing its Sarasota store. About 5,000 items will be on display in Sarasota, of which 3,000 will be available for immediate takeaway, including home furnishings like textiles, lighting, accent pieces and more than 100 smaller furniture items.
Valley News · St. Petersburg, FL
Nearby: St. Petersburg, FLDebbie Howland’s sister-in-law, Debra Goodwin, bought roses for her funeral. Three weeks later, two flowers still bloomed ruby-red in a Mason jar at Debbie’s brother’s house in Lebanon. She sent a photograph of the roses to her nieces, Katie Podolsky, 46, and Christina Howland, 51. They responded with awe: Without realizing it, Debra had texted the photo on the day of their parents’ 56th wedding anniversary. Deborah “Debbie” Howland died from complications from her cancer treatment on Aug. 21 in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she had lived full-time since 2006, moving from her native New Hampshire to be close to her daughters and grandchildren, who live in Tampa. Debbie was buried in Lebanon with her yellow Labrador, Gus. She and her husband, Doug Howland, made their mark on the Upper Valley with their businesses, Howland Upholstery and Howl’n Good Kettle Corn, the latter still open today and run by Lebanon local Rick Desharnais.
Black Star News · St. Petersburg, FL
Nearby: St. Petersburg, FLThe International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM) has popularized the demand for Black Reparations through community campaigns since its founding in 1991. On November 14-15, 2026, InPDUM will hold its annual Convention at the Uhuru House in St. Louis, Missouri. This year’s Convention marks the 30th anniversary of “The Battle of St. Pete” where the Black community repelled a 300-strong military assault on an organizing meeting at the Uhuru House in St. Petersburg, Florida. Presenters at the Convention include: African People’s Socialist Party Chairman Omali Yeshitela, who began his political life in the 1960s as a field organizer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee registering Black voters in the south and went on to build the African liberation struggle worldwide.
