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Elections

Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race

Tony Barrett hopes to earn a seat as his term as fire commissioner comes to an end.

  • East County
  • News
Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Savanna at Lakewood Ranch's John Calovich is running for the District 6 at-large seat on the Manatee County Commission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch resident enters competitive District 6 election

John Calovich will have to win the primary first because there are four other Republicans in the race.

  • East County
  • News
John Harshman has announced his candidacy for Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 20, 2026
Longtime businessman files for Sarasota City Commission

Commercial real estate broker John Harshman has joined the race for the two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Retired Sarasota Police Sergeant Jim DeNiro is challenging incumbent Joe Neunder for the Sarasota County Commission District 4 seat.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 16, 2026
Incumbent faces early challenge for County Commission District 4

Joe Neunder will face retired Sarasota Police Department Sgt. Jim DeNiro in the Aug. 18 preliminary election.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Neighborhood advocate enters race for Sarasota City Commission
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 6, 2026
Neighborhood advocate enters race for Sarasota City Commission

Arlington Park Neighborhood Association President Flo Entler joins the field of candidates for two Sarasota City Commission at-large seats.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

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The roof of Sarasota Youth Sailing's future building is designed to direct rainwater into a cistern for washing boats.
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Bradenton 3-year-old Zy'heir Curry, a lover of "Paw Patrol," shows off his trophy from playing flag football at The Learning Experience.
  • July 24, 2026
The Learning Experience in Lakewood Ranch tackles a flag football event
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Larry Debb of GSP Development with a scale model of Saravela at the development's sales center.
  • July 24, 2026
City staff instructed to develop condo-hotel policy
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Danae Tran plays the violin for Longboat Island Chapel attendees of the July 19 morning service before she and fellow scholarship recipient Michelle McLeod move to greet guests at the award reception.
  • July 24, 2026
Scholars celebrated at Longboat Island Chapel award reception

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