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News

Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale

The nearly 5-acre property at 801 N. Orange Ave. is being marketed as a downtown development opportunity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools

The Manatee County Commission paid the fee from 2018 until 2023, and the charges to the school district in 2024 and 2025 came as a surprise.

  • East County
  • Schools
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

Sarasota County students return to school on Monday, leading to shifting traffic patterns with buses, cyclists and school zones.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
James T. Golden, who previously represented District 5 on the school board from 2018-2022, is now running once again to represent District 2.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2026
Past school board chair wants to serve Manatee County School District again

James T. Golden, who was on the school board from 2018-2022 and represented District 5, is now running to represent District 2.

  • East County
  • Schools
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Training Capt. David Eggleston said firefighter helmets have bills on the rear of the helmet so contaminated water can roll off without soaking into the jacket and pants firefighters wear while battling blazes.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 5, 2026
Firefighters have higher cancer risk from foam, firefighting apparel

Some of the same products firefighters use to extinguish fires and protect themselves cause health risks, including cancer. The Longboat Key Fire Rescue is trying to mitigate the exposure.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Business owners have complained of empty streets since the city's now-suspended parking enforcement hours extension went into effect.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 4, 2026
Extended paid parking hours rescinded in downtown Sarasota

Business owners received requested parking relief from the City Commission with a rollback of expanded enforcement hours while Sarasota continues to grapple with how to pay for downtown parking facilities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key’s most recent beach renourishment project occurred in 2021, with the next round of sand-placing scheduled in 2028.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 4, 2026
Town manager-recommended budget includes property tax rate hike

The Longboat Key Town Commission needs to approve the property tax millage unanimously in September.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Jeremy Keller has started Prestige Auto Experiences in Lakewood Ranch with the idea that many potential club members would love to get behind the wheel of a classic or exotic car.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 4, 2026
Country club for car enthusiasts to open in Lakewood Ranch

Jeremy Keller wants to share his love of cars with club members who are like-minded.

  • East County
  • Business
Storm debris piled up along streets across the city and St. Armands Circle for weeks following the 2024 hurricanes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2026
Solid waste fee added for Sarasota residents, businesses

A non-ad valorem user fee was added to solid waste collection invoices for the city of Sarasota to build a reserve fund for storm debris removal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A new round of state funding will support the dredging of Whitaker Bayou.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 4, 2026
City wins $4 million in state funding for local improvements

Whitaker Bayou dredging and St. Armands corridor improvements are among the projects funded by $4 million in recently awarded state funding.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Harold Kobakof, Luzette Socash, Greg Dunbar, Howard Sosnik and Jim Toolen are not done fighting the high-density project slated to be built adjacent to their Lakewood Ranch neighborhood.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 4, 2026
Lakewood Ranch residents face challenges of Live Local Act

Residents say they're unwilling to back down: "If not us, who will fight for responsible development?"

  • East County
  • News
District 72 Rep. Bill Conerly and his challenger, John Phillips, attend a candidate forum at the Lakewood Ranch Library Aug. 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 3, 2026
District 72 House candidates speak to Lakewood Ranch Republican Club

Rep. Bill Conerly and John Phillips discussed legislation Aug. 1 at the Lakewood Ranch Library.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Fire Department responds to the scene of a structure fire in the 1000 block of Herndon Place in the Pinecraft area.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 3, 2026
Firefighter injured during Pinecraft structure fire

A Sarasota County Fire Department firefighter was hospitalized after suffering a medical emergency during a Sunday blaze battle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County resident Julie Madison addresses commissioners at the July 28 meeting. The black t-shirt Madison is wearing was also worn by several other residents.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 3, 2026
Voters to decide additional Manatee environmental lands millage

The idea to fund an animal shelter through a dedicated millage was shot down by commissioners and residents.

  • East County
  • News
Water pools at the intersection in front of Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant in the Longboat Key Village neighborhood July 30.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 3, 2026
Street resiliency design work kicks off in Village neighborhood

The work has begun with an initial survey effort on the north end of Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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