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Your Observer | All

The estate at 6610 Gulf of Mexico Drive provides access to Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 18, 2026
Longboat Key estate, designed by prominent architect, listed for $22M

Designed by architect Carl Abbott, the Manatee County property spans nearly 5 acres.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Property owner accuses contractor of stealing equipment
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 18, 2026
Property owner accuses contractor of stealing equipment

The owner of a commercial property says HVAC employees stole equipment while the contractor calls it a repossession. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Aurora Pena and Theo Light, second graders at Tara Elementary School, appreciate the new and improved classrooms and cafeteria.They are also looking forward to using the new field and playground when they are complete.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 18, 2026
Final month of $31.4 million renovation at Tara Elementary

The project began in June 2023 and has included increased security, technology and flexibility of space.

  • East County
  • Schools
Artist Michelle-Marie Heinemann recently created the non-profit Flower Tree Foundation to facilitate bringing art installations to public spaces. She stands next to a larger-than-life statue that is part of her daisy series of statues, the first public installation she brought to the New College of Florida.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • February 18, 2026
Sculptor explores the power of the flower for community unity

Artist Michelle-Marie Heinemann brings her towering flower statues to New College of Florida, Hawaii, Paris and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Braden River girls weightlifting brought home the FHSAA Class 2A state championship in Olympic style Feb. 12 at Lakeland's RP Funding Center. It marks the first in program history.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 18, 2026
Braden River High raises the bar at girls weightlifting state championships

The Pirates captured their first team title behind Payton Mangay-Ayam's twin individual titles.

  • East County
  • Sports
"La bohème," which runs through March 28 at Sarasota Opera House, is the first of four productions in the Sarasota Opera's 2026 Winter Festival.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • February 18, 2026
For Sarasota Opera, it's a season to remember

The 2026 Winter Opera Festival will be filled with emotion, on and off the stage.

  • Arts + Culture
General manager Desmond Hill brings warmth and ease to Lucky Pelican’s welcoming, neighborhood vibe.
    By
  • Marty Fugate
  • February 18, 2026
Lucky Pelican's general manager shares how he keeps the restaurant flying high

What makes the Lucky Pelican Bistro so good? No bad days. And the lobster roll, of course.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The home at 144 Harrison Drive sold for $2.15 million. Built in 1933, it has four bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths, a pool and 2,743 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • February 18, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for Feb. 2-6 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

A Tencon Beach condominium on Gulf of Mexico Drive tops the week’s sales at $3.6 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • Real Estate
Boat lifts flank each side of the canal in a Country Club Shores neighborhood. The town of Longboat Key is preparing to enact a continuous canal maintenance program that would include flat fees and ad-valorem assessments for residents.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 18, 2026
The ins and outs of Longboat's proposed canal maintenance program

Longboat Key's canals have not been dredged since 2003. Town leaders say it's past time and have a new proposal for how to pay for the program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
New College was founded in 1960.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 18, 2026
Potential New College takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus looms

A local group is fighting back against the move, with a former USF Sarasota-Manatee top official saying this would sacrifice one public school for another's dreams.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Campers get hands-on training at S&B Metal Products in Bradenton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2026
Lakewood Ranch nonprofit aids students and women in manufacturing careers

The CCAI Finishing Education Foundation offers camp and scholarship opportunities.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Police Officer Dallas Troyer will soon perform marine patrols on a Sea-Doo GTX 170, the newest piece of LKPD equipment secured through West Coast Inland Navigation District grant funds.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 18, 2026
Police department utilizes grants to expand equipment and capabilities

West Coast Inland Navigation District grant funds have been acquired and spent by the police department, adding a personal watercraft and emergency response trailer to the department's equipment portfolio.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ashlan Guengerich will return for Sarasota softball this season after helping the Sailors to the FHSAA Class 7A state semifinals as a junior.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • February 18, 2026
What to know about local prep softball as season begins

The Sarasota area's five teams are back in action this week.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners wants to reduce the millage again in 2027, but is facing the uncertainty of whether or not the state will eliminate property taxes for homeowners.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2026
Manatee County seeks public input on 2027 budget

Commissioners want to cut the millage, and the state wants to cut property taxes. So what can residents live without?

  • East County
  • News
Declan Waters (left) of the Sarasota Paradise celebrates a goal against New York City FC II on Feb. 13 at Premier Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 18, 2026
Will local soccer fans embrace Paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

The local team tests the professional level in 2026 at Premier Sports Campus.

  • East County
  • Opinion
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Latest News

1
The Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County has issued a rabies warning.
  • July 22, 2026
Rabies case prompts public health warning in Sarasota County
2
Kyle McCreight participates in the Eastern Regional Qualifiers in 2026.
  • July 22, 2026
4-time 'American Ninja Warrior' contestant isn't done trying to reach national finals
3
The Lakewood Ranch Library will open an hour later starting Aug. 1 due to a hiring freeze that was implemented in February. Commissioner George Kruse says hours could be further reduced if the property tax referendum passes in November.
  • July 22, 2026
Property tax cuts will cause 'new normal' in Manatee County
4
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
  • July 22, 2026
Front porch rug drying sparks a boarding house fight
5
Defender Declan Watters (left) is one of several Sarasota Paradise players learning from lead assistant Trevor Sinclair (right). The Paradise are 5-10-3 in USL League One and 6-13-3 overall, as of July 16.
  • July 22, 2026
Assistant coach brings wealth of experience to Sarasota Paradise

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