Daily News Roundup: February 12, 2026
Manatee County to Revitalize Park at Martha B. King Middle School Through Strong County–School District Partnership
Manatee County will soon begin work to revitalize an existing park at Martha B. King Middle School. The project reflects a continued partnership between Manatee County and the School District of Manatee County focused on enhancing recreational opportunities for students, families, and the surrounding neighborhood.
MCAT Offers Free Shuttle Service to Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival
Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) will provide free shuttle service to and from the Cortez Commercial Fishing Festival on Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., offering festivalgoers a convenient transportation option during one of the area’s most popular annual events.
Parrish Man Dies After Crash on I-75 Triggered by Illegal Tractor-Trailer U-Turn
A 28-year-old man from Parrish has died following a serious crash on Interstate 75 near the Hillsborough-Manatee County line that was caused when a tractor-trailer attempted an illegal U-turn and collided with his vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Local Giving Circle Hits over $300k in Non-Profit Grants
Manatee Women Giving Back, a women’s giving circle in Manatee County, recently exceeded $300,000 in grants to local non-profit organizations since their inception in 2013. The circle’s mission is to improve the lives of people living in the county, with a particular focus on women, children, education, hunger and homelessness.
Palmetto Launches Oyster Reef Restoration Project to Monitor Environmental Benefits
The Palmetto Community Redevelopment Agency is moving forward with a long-term environmental monitoring initiative tied to its oyster reef restoration project, designed to study how artificial reef structures influence coastal conditions over time.