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News

St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key

An in-state county administrator has been recommended for the town job with a start date in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries

The 31-year-old Sarasota woman is held on no bond in the St. Armands and Webber Road break-ins.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

The 6:53 a.m. crash took place at the Interstate 75 junction with Clark Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery

Tony Barrett is currently an East Manatee Fire Rescue commissioner and vying for the at-large County Commission seat.

  • East County
  • News
Work was underway along Madison Drive at Boulevard of the Presidents in late May.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • June 18, 2026
St. Armands landlord formally applies for Shore restaurant remake work

Kauffman Shore Properties LLC is seeking approval for its development plans on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota City Manager Karie Friling.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 17, 2026
New city manager shifts first week focus to tax reform impacts

Four days into her new role as Sarasota city manager, property tax reform forced Karie Friling to shift focus to planning for possible general fund gap.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Howard Tipton is retiring from his position of town manager with Longboat Key. He was hired in 2022 and started in January 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 17, 2026
LBK Town Manager Howard Tipton announces retirement

The Longboat Key town manager will continue in his position through the summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
(Top) the proposed water taxi dock location and design at Ken Thompson and (bottom) at Bayfront Park next to O'Leary's Tiki Bar, which would also be the overnight parking location for the vessels.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • June 17, 2026
Want to take a water taxi across Sarasota Bay? You might be waiting awhile.

Design for water transit across Sarasota Bay has reached the 30% stage as dock site selection at Bayfront and Ken Thompson parks defines terminal locations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse says Manatee County is in a "questionable financial situation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 17, 2026
Commissioner calls Manatee County 'poor' during workshop sessions

Commissioner George Kruse says Manatee County is in a “questionable financial situation.”

  • East County
  • News
A piece of driftwood that juts from the shallow water off Beer Can Island is decorated with paint.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 17, 2026
Art or graffiti? Painting on driftwood at Beer Can Island prompts pushback

Manatee County workers scratch the paintings off the driftwood regularly, but the trend has persisted.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Positano condominium complex was one of the properties in Manatee County that had incorrect property evaluations in the 2026 fiscal year.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 17, 2026
Manatee property values rebound on Longboat after mistake in 2025

After a Manatee County Property Appraiser mistake cost the town at least $500,000 last year, town leaders are paying close attention to preliminary values.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Diane DelloRusso, who has worked in the jewelry business for 36 years and been a longtime manager at Jewelry by Cole, said she believes customers will appreciate the new St. Armands Jewelry store with its blend of classic and contemporary styles. She came out of retirement to assist with the transition and can't wait for longtime patrons to see the boutique's new look.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • June 16, 2026
Two new shops coming to St. Armands Circle

Two new stores are preparing to open, one under new ownership and the other as a new location.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The pickleball courts and basketball courts at Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park will be renovated over the summer.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • June 16, 2026
Pickleball courts closed for major renovations

Bayfront Park in Longboat Key is down a popular amenity as the pickleball courts are redone.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jonathan Ith, who has run Chick-fil-A Creekwood for the last 25 years, is preparing to open a new location in Heritage Harbour to keep up with the local demand.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • June 16, 2026
Chick-fil-A expands in Bradenton with a new store in Heritage Harbour

Owner Jonathan Ith has run Chick-fil-A Creekwood for the past 25 years and is excited to open a larger store.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The proposal by KB Homes Tampa LLC includes the installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of Rye Road and Waterline Road.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • June 16, 2026
Planning Commission recommends denial for 131 homes near Rye Road

Commissioners liked how the Ivy Run developer worked with residents but couldn't get past the project’s proximity to Rye Road.

  • East County
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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