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News

Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a nearly $5.6 million contract to rebuild the seawall at the marina section of Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the street level of 1260 North Palm Residences.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2026
Condo tower controversy appears headed back to mediation

For the second time, the Sarasota City Commission sides with opponents of 1260 North Palm Residences as the developer weighs his options for further legal action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Beginning June 1, 2026, parking fees will be enforced in all city parking decks, such as the St. Armands Circle garage, 24/7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 7, 2026
Paid city parking hours extended and fines for violations increased

To achieve solvency in Sarasota's Parking Division, the City Commission extends enforcement hours and increases fines with changes beginning June 1, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2026
$12.48M generator request causes concern over Manatee County 'money pit'

Commissioner Bob McCann said the Lakewood Ranch administration building is becoming a "money pit."

  • East County
  • News
County Commissioner Tom Knight on Tuesday raised the issue of a fee charged by the Tax Collector's office on money raised by the school district's optional 1-mill property tax.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 6, 2026
County Commission reverses stance on paying school-tax fee

Sarasota leaders vote 3-2 to open the door to reassuming the responsibility for paying Tax Collector commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers

Currently, 136 teacher roles are unassigned in the district.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward

Sarasota County commissioners authorized the acquisition and loan to finance the property purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A single-family residence at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been under construction for years and is nearing completion.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 6, 2026
Application tweaks aim to streamline permitting process

Longboat Key’s Planning, Zoning and Building Department has introduced a checklist, intake coordinator and file naming conventions for building applications.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Circus Trail currently runs along the east side of Circus Boulevard before crossing over the road to the east and then back again.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 6, 2026
Circus Trail envisioned to connect Fruitville to 17th Street Park

The Sarasota City Commission has authorized FDOT to design a realignment of Circus Trail into and through Bobby Jones Golf Course and Nature Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Deputy Sarah Brown works for the Manatee County Sheriff's Office in the traffic unit.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 6, 2026
Ride-along offers insight into the job of a Manatee County deputy

With more than 400,000 residents in Manatee County, only 24 Sheriff's Office deputies comprise the traffic unit.

  • East County
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel arch on a private groin, leading to a lengthy dispute with the town of Longboat Key, with leaders claiming it violate’s the town’s sign code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 6, 2026
Friday deadline set for St. Regis arch removal

If the metal arch installed on a groin in the Gulf is not removed by 5 p.m. Friday, the town of Longboat Key and developers will meet in court to decide the matter.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The John Ringling Causeway connects Sarasota to Bird Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 6, 2026
Recent projects show the new era of Sarasota-area bridges

In the latter half of the 21st century, drawbridges were the preferred method to bridge barrier islands to the mainland in the Gulf Coast, but that doesn’t mean they’re a relic of the past.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Traffic was rerouted around a water-main repair site on Tuttle Avenue.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 5, 2026
Water advisory posted after Sarasota pipe break

Traffic is rerouted on Tuttle Avenue near Floyd Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Damages on Longboat Key after Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 5, 2026
Seminar scheduled for disaster preparedness

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce is hosting a hurricane preparedness seminar May 14 at the Longboat Key Club.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch
2
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt
3
Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up
4
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment
5
The home at 843 Norsta Way was built in 1963 and has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,467 square feet of living area.
  • May 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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