**Manatee County Development Services Department Relocation:** In-person services for the Manatee County Development Services Department will resume at the new East Campus location at 9000 Town Center Parkway starting November 18, 2025.

**SRQ Women's Expo**: The SRQ Women's Expo is being held at GROVE Ballroom from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, featuring over 75 vendors, shopping, networking, educational workshops, and a celebration of women entrepreneurs and business owners.

**Approval and plans for a new public high school in Lakewood Ranch**: The Manatee County School District's proposed "High School AAA" site plan received narrow approval from the county commission on November 4, 2025. The school will be on an 85-acre parcel with a size over 297,000 square feet and capacity for 2,500 students, including multiple classroom buildings and athletic facilities. Construction is set to proceed following this approval.

**25th Annual Empty Bowls Event**: Taking place today from 11 AM to 1 PM at Lakewood Ranch Main Street, this event benefits The Food Bank of Manatee by offering soup and bread from local restaurants and handcrafted bowls for purchase, with proceeds supporting hunger relief in Manatee County.

**Soirée at the Ranch Celebrates Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation's 25th Anniversary** — The grand finale event of LWRCF's 25th anniversary celebration is taking place today from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club. The evening features a cocktail hour, silent auction, dinner, live auction, and a paddle raise, with a highlight being the honoring of the 2025 Lakewood Ranch Humanitarian of the Year. Individual tickets are $250.

**Outback Steakhouse Grand Opening Celebration** – Outback Steakhouse held its grand opening at 12245 State Road 70 E in Lakewood Ranch on November 11, bringing 120 new jobs to the community. Today, a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce and Bradenton Kiwanis Club is taking place at 2 p.m. The restaurant also honored Veterans Day by offering free three-course meals to guests with valid military identification on opening day and donated $5,000 from grand opening proceeds to the Bradenton Kiwanis Club to support youth programs and community projects.

**2025 American Women’s Soccer Championship Final** The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch is hosting the American Women’s Soccer Championship Final today at 2:00 PM, featuring Rice University and UTSA after both teams advanced in dramatic penalty shootouts. The event, dubbed “Jersey Day,” offers free admission, fan giveaways, food trucks, and family activities, drawing significant local attention and community participation.

**American Women's Soccer Championship at Premier Sports Campus**: The semifinals of this important soccer tournament are ongoing and hosted in Lakewood Ranch. Matches leading to the final, scheduled for November 9, are being broadcast on ESPN+, highlighting the area's role as a premier sports venue.

**Florida Teacher of the Year Visit:** Mark Harrison, Florida’s Teacher of the Year, visited McNeal Elementary School in Lakewood Ranch, engaging with students and staff, sharing his experiences, and inspiring the school community.

**Approval of New High School Site**: The Manatee County School District's plan for a new public high school, dubbed "High School AAA," narrowly received approval from the county commission. The school will be built at the corner of Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard and will accommodate 2,500 students.