**Upcoming Lakewood Ranch Holiday Festival of the Arts**: Scheduled for December 6-7, 2025, on Main Street in downtown Lakewood Ranch, this festival will showcase a wide variety of fine arts and crafts including paintings, sculptures, jewelry, photography, ceramics, and mixed media from artisans across America. The event offers free admission and opportunities to meet artists and purchase original handmade works.

**Ongoing Mold and Air Quality Concerns at Lakewood Ranch High School**: Teachers and students continue to raise concerns about mold and air quality at the high school, prompting a $6 million project to replace underground waterlines and piping. Industrial hygienists have been placed on campus to monitor conditions following visible mold reports, with district officials emphasizing safety and remediation efforts.

**Kuro Sushi Opens on Lakewood Ranch Main Street** - The new Asian restaurant, owned by Daniel Dokko (also owner of JPAN Sushi & Grill and Korê Steakhouse), officially opened in November at 8126 Lakewood Main Street, offering sushi, skewers, and small plates with a full-liquor bar and future omakase service.

**Florida Turkey Trot at Nathan Benderson Park:** The annual Florida Turkey Trot, benefiting the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy and the Big Bill Foundation, takes place today with a Kids Dash at 7:15 a.m. and the 5K run/walk at 8 a.m. Participants receive a finisher medal, race shirt, food, beverages, and a special treat.

There are ongoing concerns about mold issues at Lakewood Ranch High School, with reports indicating that air conditioning is turned off during nights, weekends, and holidays, contributing to the problem.

Operation Thanksgiving provided Thanksgiving meals to active-duty military personnel from MacDill Air Force Base, highlighting local efforts to support veterans and service members.

**Urban Air Adventure Park near Lakewood Ranch**: A 60,000-square-foot family entertainment park opened recently off Interstate 75 near University Town Center, including trampolines, ninja warrior courses, and rock climbing walls. The project was completed by a local construction company and cost $18.5 million, promising a safe and exciting experience for families.

**Narrow approval of a new public high school site plan**: The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners gave a narrow, one-vote approval to a site plan for "High School AAA," a new public high school to be built on an 85-acre parcel at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch. The school will accommodate 2,500 students and is projected to open for the 2027-2028 school year.

**Ongoing Mold Concerns at Lakewood Ranch High School** Teachers and students continue to report serious mold and air quality issues at multiple buildings on the school campus. The school district is conducting comprehensive environmental studies and has started a $6 million project to replace underground waterlines to address moisture problems contributing to the mold. Community voices stress the need for a safe, healthy environment for staff and students.

**IWLCA Presidents Cup Lacrosse Tournament**: The IWLCA Presidents Cup is taking place November 21–23, 2025, at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and other venues nearby. This event features women’s lacrosse teams competing in a high-profile tournament. On November 22, the event includes a Blue-White exhibition game at noon at Premier Sports Stadium.