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News

A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key

One westbound lane expected to be shut down after 7 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

Karie Friling has made several fact-finding visits to Sarasota in preparation for assuming her new role as city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?

The public will get its first look at proposed design concepts for the Main Street complete street project at a May 21 workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
BayCare Hospital Manatee is a $563 million project.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 14, 2026
Health care expands in the area in a big way

Health care systems are expanding in and around Lakewood Ranch — for both the short- and long-term.

  • East County
  • News
Retired Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo's name is now emblazoned on the airport loop road at SRQ.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Airport roadway named for former SRQ president and CEO

Airport Circle at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been officially renamed Rick Piccolo Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key has dozens of canals, 88 according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission

The first of two votes passed unanimously to establish flat fees and ad-valorem assessments to dredge and maintain Longboat Key's canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A great egret perches on a mangrove that fronts Longboat Pass. Mangroves are an important habitat for birds and juvenile sport fish while providing erosion protection.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
30 years after mangrove law passed, enforcement still relies on citizen reporting, education

Mangrove health statewide has slightly increased since the law was passed, but violations are going unpunished, advocates say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner George Kruse stops to greet Chula, a 2-year-old mastiff mix, during a walk-through of the Bishop Animal Shelter May 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 13, 2026
Animal activists continue complaints despite efforts to improve Bishop shelter

The Manatee County expansion project is up to $12 million, but some residents say it's not enough.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of 1899 Fruitville from the corner of North Osprey Avenue and Fruitville Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Fruitville apartment plan to replace cottages makes second appearance

Multiple comments remain as block-long apartment development on Fruitville Road requires third submittal to the Sarasota Development Review Committee.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners next week

Sarasota is ready to reassume responsibility for paying the tax collector's 2% commission, but question remains on whether it should be charged at all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
My-Lien Truong and Dwight Fitch, the radiation oncologists at Advocate Radiation Oncology in Lakewood Ranch, both studied chemical engineering before pursuing radiation oncology.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 12, 2026
Radiation, oncology center opens Lakewood Ranch office

Advocate Radiation Oncology has opened at 8946 77th Terrace E., to go with its previous location on S.R. 64 in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • Business
Costello’s Neighborhood Pizza owner Kenny Palin takes a pie out of the oven at the Longboat Key branch of Costello’s.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
Owner rebrands Longboat, Gulf Gate pizza joints to Costello's Neighborhood Pizza

As the franchise contract reached expiration, owner Kenny Palin decided to personalize his two pizzerias with a family name.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is the only Gulf-facing property on Longboat Key with a private beach groin, constructed decades ago by Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Murf Klauber to fight beach erosion.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 12, 2026
St. Regis, town headed to court as Whittall defies order

The developer and owner of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort says he will fight in court "to whatever extent necessary" to leave the arch that town code enforcement has ordered taken down.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Triple Oak Preserve in Myakka City is one of the purchases Manatee County made using funds collected from the 2020 referendum.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 12, 2026
Environmental lands referendum one step closer to 2026 ballot

Manatee County commissioners were presented with four funding options to acquire additional lands and development rights.

  • East County
  • News
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house canceled

Three chapters of the Sarasota City Plan were to be discussed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key
2
Holiday House SRQ's Megan Micale, executive director, and Sepi Ackerman, co-founder and executive president, say a grant would allow for 350 Title I students to receive school uniforms, shoes and a holiday experience.
  • May 14, 2026
Sisterhood for Good hosts annual Grant Expo in Lakewood Ranch
3
Richard Frank Wokoun
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun
4
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'
5
Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • May 14, 2026
The Paradise Center expands digital classes

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