Happy Sunday, neighbors!

This week has a little bit of everything to be proud of. Two of our sheriff's K9 teams came home from nationals with trophies, a nonprofit leader who has looked out for our seniors for over a decade finally got the spotlight she deserves, and a local elementary school got a nice stack of new books for the shelves. Add in a full slate of events for the next two weekends and a stretch of weather that means business, and here is what is making us smile in Parrish this week.

We start hot and sticky today with a high near 91 and a good chance of afternoon storms, then temperatures ease into the upper 70s by the middle of the week while rain chances stay high and a breeze kicks up Tuesday and Thursday. By the weekend we warm back into the mid to upper 80s with thunderstorms still in the mix. Keep the umbrella within reach all week, and check the current forecast before you head out since a pattern like this one can shift quickly.

Lt. Jeremy Bertolino and his partner K9 Vinnie, along with Deputy Kyle Chavers and K9 Tyr of the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, competed at the United States Police Canine Association Nationals in Abilene, Texas. Bertolino and Vinnie took first place overall, plus first in Search Work and Obedience and second in Criminal Apprehension. Chavers and Tyr finished fourth overall, with a second in Search Work and a third in Obedience. Their regional team also won first place in the team competition. That is a lot of hardware for two very good dogs and the deputies who trained them. Read more about the win.

Maribeth Phillips, who has led Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee since 2012, received the 2026 C. John A. Clarke Humanitarian of the Year award at the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation's Soirée at the Ranch on October 1. The event itself raised roughly $150,000 that will go back out as grants to local nonprofits, and Phillips now has her name on a plaque near the fountain at Main Street at Lakewood Ranch. See the full story.

Books-A-Million's annual Back to School donation drive put more than 300 new books, worth over $4,500, into the hands of media specialist Lori Pick and her students at Manatee Elementary School. A nice reason for a few more kids to find a book they love this fall. Read about the donation.

Thanks to more than $15,000 raised during this spring's Giving Challenge, the Friends of Lakewood Ranch Library bought four ChompSaws, three tablets and a laptop cart with ten laptops ahead of the library's second floor reopening. Get the details.

The Lakewood Ranch Anglers Club and Lakewood Ranch Community Activities hosted their annual Youth and Teen Fishing Tournament this week, with 115 kids showing up to fish. Premier Tackle donated more than $4,000 in gear and gift cards for nine winners and a raffle. See how it went.

Saturday, October 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. North River Ranch's Live Local Home Tour lets you walk through six model homes from five builders. Pick up a passport at the Camp Creek Clubhouse, collect a stamp at each home, and you are entered to win up to $250. The clubhouse is at 11645 Camp Creek Trail in Parrish. Check the tour details.