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Your Observer | All

The committee presents its findings to County Administrator Charlie Bishop June 23.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 30, 2026
Manatee government efficiency committee says DOGE report is off base

The committee met with Manatee's administrator and will report to commissioners July 28.

  • East County
  • News
Liam Schreiner reviews the selection of house-made sweets available at the newly opened Chocolate Emporium on St. Armands Circle. Branching from the original location on Anna Maria Island, the second shop held a soft opening this week.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 30, 2026
Local artisanal chocolate shop brings sweet treats to St. Armands

A second location branching from the original on Anna Maria Island held its soft opening this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 30, 2026
Voices of America: Who's your American hero, and why?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we dive into respondents' favorite Americans.

  • Spirit of America
Gary St. Clair, his wife Elizabeth St. Clair, granddaughter Avianna Pereira, 7, daughter Allison Pereira, and granddaughters Adley Pereira, 5, and Amelia Pereira, 6, enjoy Sarasota Key Quest Fest.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 29, 2026
Sarasota Key Quest Fest aims to provide the keys to well-being

The event, held at The Bay's Civic Green Lawns, invited attendees to discover resources in the community in a quest themed around keys representing knowledge.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Andy Sandberg is artistic director and CEO of the Hermitage Artist Retreat, an artist incubator based in Englewood.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • June 29, 2026
Hermitage Artist Retreat strengthens its ties with Broadway

The Englewood arts incubator announces non-exclusive development deal for musicals with Manhattan Theatre Club.

  • Arts + Culture
Town Commissioner Gary Coffin brought a bottle of wine to Monday's special meeting to help provide context to what a potential increase in Longboat Key millage rate would mean to a property owner.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 29, 2026
Longboat sets higher maximum tax rate

Commissioners make clear final millage isn't locked in and can be set lower than Monday's figure.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Carla Paola Ventura, organizer of Sunday's aid drive to support Venezuelan earthquake survivors, and Noemi Ottenwalder, founder of the new Latinas Run Club that hosted the drive, load supplies into the truck after the morning run on Lido Key. Ventura said while the devastation is far-reaching, small contributions made by many people amount to a big difference.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 29, 2026
Run club organizes aid drive for Venezuelan earthquake survivors

Local change-makers are hoping many small contributions will make a big difference in response to the devastating earthquakes with an increasing death toll.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Jason Madsen has been hired as the new chief executive officer of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • June 29, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Medical Center hires new CEO

Universal Health Services picks Jason Madsen to take over its 180-bed facility in the growing community.

  • East County
  • News
The historic Sarasota County Courthouse.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2026
Sarasota County offers primer program on workings of local government

Registration is open for Sarasota County's 12-week Civics 101 class.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • June 29, 2026
Songbirds of the Seventies

At Florida Studio Theatre from July 7 - September 6, 2026.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Sarasota Tsunami head coach Ira Klein described Jaxon Griffin (above) as a "developing swimmer" six months ago. Now, Griffin is on the rise, qualifying for national-level meets left and right.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • June 29, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jaxon Griffin

The rising junior at Lakewood Ranch High qualified for both the Speedo Summer and Winter Junior National Championships last month.

  • East County
  • Sports
George Landry will start his position as Longboat Key town manager Sept. 14
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 29, 2026
Meet George Landry, Longboat Key's next town manager

The former St. Lucie County administrator grew up in Michigan, has a purple heart, has six kids nine grandchildren, and loves pickleball.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance hosts local legislators at a panel discussion June 24 at the Lakewood Ranch Golf and Country Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 29, 2026
Manatee, Sarasota legislators talk infrastructure, property taxes

Local representatives attended the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance's June luncheon to offer a legislative update.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 29, 2026
Voices of America: What's your favorite American invention?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we reflect on what was Made in the U.S.A.

  • Spirit of America
Tanjee Lane, Tyler Marion, Ning Tinsley, Jessica Johnston and Nickie Hartsock of SPARCC were an event finalist.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • June 28, 2026
Sarasota Business Awards honor innovation, entrepreneurship and the American spirit

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce recognized businesses in the community across 10 categories.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
« 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 »
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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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