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Your Observer | All

Manatee County's District 1 commission seat was left vacant after Carol Felts died suddenly Feb. 24.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee County District 1 commission seat open for applications

Gov. Ron DeSantis has the option to appoint someone to fill the remaining seven months left before the general election.

  • East County
  • News
Amy Bott, executive director of Bernie's Book Bank's Florida Suncoast branch, connects with J. McLaughlin manager Melanie Dale at the boutique's recent Sip and Shop event supporting the incoming nonprofit.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • April 8, 2026
Longboat boutique boosts new literacy nonprofit branch

Longboat's J. McLaughlin store recently supported a new Sarasota branch of Bernie's Book Bank with a Sip and Shop.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Construction has advanced quickly from Feb. 8 when this aerial photo was taken. The vantage point shows how close the school is from one of the runways at the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Manatee Technical College flying into SRQ with new aviation program

The Aviation Maintenance Technician School is on schedule to open in January 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Five more hotels are in the works for Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2026
Five new hotels slated for Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch currently has just four hotels within its boundaries.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic is often bumper to bumper on Gulf Drive South. During spring break, even rainy days didn’t stop tourists from flocking to Anna Maria Island.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 8, 2026
Longboat has a Bradenton Beach traffic problem

For Longboat Key residents and employees trying to get to the mainland from the north end, beach traffic is a headache and getting worse each year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Unit 12-F condominium at 2525 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $2.1 million. Built in 1972, it has two bedrooms, two baths and 1,651 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • April 8, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for March 23-27 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

An Islands West condominium on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week's sales at $2.1 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Readers responded to Jay Heater's column, asking if they enjoy the April Fools' edition. Were you fooled by the story about speed bumps on White Eagle Boulevard?
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 8, 2026
East County Observer readers have last word on April Fools

Most of the readers who responded love the April Fools tradition.

  • East County
  • Opinion
Kayleigh Bergstrom is one of three sophomores alongside Gabby Ulrich and Kaitlin Carolan to lead the Cougars in scoring this season.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 8, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Kayleigh Bergstrom

The sophomore midfielder is approaching 100 goals with Cardinal Mooney girls lacrosse this season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sports betting online became legal in Florida via Hard Rock Bet in 2023.
  • By Guy Bentley, Adrian Moore
  • April 8, 2026
Don’t panic about sports betting in Florida

Although some are concerned that increased access to sports betting may increase gambling addiction, the data show the number of those with a problem has remained stable over the last 35 years.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which is now being considered for purchase by the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 8, 2026
City pursues First Street parcel for workforce housing project

One small parcel remains between two larger properties the city has acquired for a workforce housing project. Staff is instructed to pursue a letter of intent to purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 8, 2026
New volunteer board members picked by Town Commission

Four vacancies on three boards were filled by Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Woman claims to be at the center of widespread plot to follow her
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 8, 2026
Woman claims to be at the center of widespread plot to follow her

A woman claimed a pickup truck driver — and just about everybody else in the sky and on the ground — is following her. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Ernie Els reads the green at The Concession during the 2023 World Champions Cup. He's No. 6 on the PGA Tour Champions money standings, as of April 6, and will be active at the Senior PGA Championship.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • April 7, 2026
The PGA Tour Champions could use a jolt of charisma

Without Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, the senior circuit has been lacking in that ever-important department.

  • East County
  • Sports
The Tingley Library in Bradenton Beach, pictured in October 2025, is in need of repairs estimated at $230,000.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 7, 2026
Tingley Library makes plea to community

Fundraising push would repair Bradenton Beach library that does not receive government funds.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of the Mira Mar building set against the backdrop of Mira Mar Residences, the project that will provide revenue to fund the $25 million to $30 million restoration of the historic structure.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 7, 2026
Construction permit issued for downtown Sarasota historic restoration project

Mira Mar Residences has received its construction permit to add two 18-story condo towers to complement restoration of the historic Palm Avenue building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Cynthia Keough is one of several Manatee County residents to step up to the podium June 4 and ask commissioners for more time to review the updated comprehensive plan.
  • June 6, 2026
Residents have 60 more days to review Manatee County comp plan
2
Steven High is retiring as executive director of The Ringling, a position he has held since 2011.
  • June 5, 2026
Steven High to retire as executive director of The Ringling
Sponsored Content
3
  • June 5, 2026
33rd Annual Downtown Venice Craft Festival
4
The Community Foundation of Sarasota County's Suncoast Disaster Recovery Fund is meant to pay for immediate relief and long-term resilience efforts in the four-county area.
  • June 5, 2026
Patterson Foundation donates $500,000 for storm relief
5
A giant American flag has flown above Sarasota Ford since the 1970s.
  • June 4, 2026
American flag will fly high again over Sarasota Ford

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