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Your Observer | All

Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination

Criminal defense attorney Leland Taylor, who is running for a Manatee County Commission seat, was born and raised in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Harper Fraser, 7, Jack Fraser, 5, and their mom, Melissa Fraser, test out the Royally Cosmic photo booth at the Star-Spangled Spectacular at Waterside Place.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 5, 2026
Star-Spangled Spectacular lights up Lakewood Ranch

The Waterside Place event attracted thousands to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sam and Ileana Galati bring some starfish and star-spangled attire.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2026
All-American Cookout dazzles with bubbles and food

The Fourth of July All-American Cookout brought back Blaise Ryndes of Spheres Bubble Show as attendees enjoyed a patriotic celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Eric Ribeiro and his son, Luke Ribeiro, 17; watch the fireworks from the VIP and sponsors area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 5, 2026
Siesta Key Fourth of July Fireworks celebrates local and national milestones

The Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce hosted the fireworks while honoring Craig Merrill, who retired as the event's pyrotechnician after 23 years.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Jonathan Hande, senior avian hospital technician with Save Our Seabirds, demonstrates how NOT to hold a brown pelican when bringing it in for assessment at the bird rescue organization. Anyone handling an injured pelican should keep an ideally gloved finger between the bird's beak to keep the bird restrained without inhibiting its ability to breathe.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 5, 2026
What you need to know for fledgling season

Save Our Seabirds offered tips on how to tell when a bird might need help and when it's best to leave them be, especially during fledgling season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Frankie Del Rosario of The ProMedia Group, which assisted with the projectors for the display, shows that he's "awesome" at setting off the fireworks.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 4, 2026
Fireworks go virtual in interactive art display at Spirit of '76 block party

The Fresh Fridays event featured the "Light up the Sky" display by LightMural.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lucy Clark and Carlin and Ellie Mackintosh, granddaughters of Longboat Key artist May Lou Johnson, help release the first of 250 butterflies at Freedom Fest. The Fourth of July festivities also included a parade, canine costume contest, rededication of Bicentennial Park and family activities.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 4, 2026
Longboat Key pulls all the stops for special Freedom Fest

The town, after being rained out last year, came back big with its parade, butterfly release and park rededication.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Pops Orchestra of Sarasota and Bradenton performs on the second stage.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2026
Nathan Benderson Park goes big for Fireworks on the Lake

The lineup included a band, a pops concert, a waterskiing show and an apple pie eating contest.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment

There have been 30 applications received by the town of Longboat Key to put existing houses on stilts for storm protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
State Rep. James Buchanan was one of the driving forces behind a one-year accommodation in a state tax bill that requires either county governments to cover any fees associated with collecting voter-approved school taxes or to waive those fees.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2026
Buchanan proposal on school-tax fees now law

At issue is a 2% fee charged by Moran’s office on revenue generated by an additional 1-mill school tax approved and renewed several times by Sarasota County voters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Emersyn Baker, 3, woke up Thursday morning eager to ride in the bike parade at the Kiddie Academy.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 3, 2026
Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch kicks off Independence Day weekend

Children created hats, decorated bikes and rode in style to celebrate the country's 250th anniversary.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the Fruitville Road elevation of the 1899 Fruitville project.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 3, 2026
1899 Fruitville apartment development advances

The Sarasota Development Review Committee has granted partial sign-off on an apartment project to remake a block between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 3, 2026
Voices of America: What will America look like in another 250 years?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we explore the future of the U.S.

  • Spirit of America
Changes to the city of Sarasota's public parking program mean longer enforcement hours and higher fines.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2026
City parking changes are now in effect

The city of Sarasota has expanded hours of parking enforcement and increased fines for violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city allowed a food truck to set up at the Lido Pavilion during a 2019 concession renovation project.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2026
City to mull food trucks in downtown zone district

In its first meeting since new City Manager Karie Friling arrived a month ago, the City Commission returns with a proposal to allow food trucks in the Downtown Bayfront zone district, as well as other business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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Latest News

1
The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus has steadily grown over the past 20 years on Tamiami Trail.
  • July 21, 2026
USF names new Sarasota-Manatee leader for New College transition
2
Multiple species of starfish have found a home on the "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
  • July 21, 2026
Longboat's living seawall recognized for creativity
3
Tania Vergara Dance Theater will stage a free performance of "HuMangrove" on Saturday, July 25, at Selby LIbrary.
  • July 21, 2026
The best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat
4
Bob Bowling (left) chews out his son, Matt Bowling (right), while coaching football at Palmetto High. Before Braden River, he worked at Palmetto from 1993-2004.
  • July 21, 2026
Family, friends remember longtime coach, athletic director Bob Bowling
5
Melinda Zarzycki-Harris, founder and executive director of Bring on the Ministry, and Pastor Julia Wharff Piermont of Christ Church of Longboat Key are all smiles with their new ministry partnership.
  • July 21, 2026
Christ Church gets new charitable partner

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