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News

Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2026
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office says the domestic incident sent one person to the hospital.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 3, 2026
Solid bond ratings fuel further health care system expansion

Thanks to favorable ratings that cut the cost of borrowing, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is funding more than $1 billion in expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and Charlie Bishop speak at a Manatee Chamber of Commerce meeting in December. On Jan. 28, all four spoke to commissioners about a temporary hiring freeze.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 3, 2026
Hiring freeze begins as Manatee County researches effects of tax cuts

County Administrator Charlie Bishop is preparing for possible revenue cuts from the millage and property taxes.

  • East County
  • News
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 3, 2026
Manatee County Appraiser promises to fix costly mistake in this year's tax rolls

The town of Longboat Key doesn't know how much an error by the Manatee County Property Appraiser cost it in 2025 tax revenue, estimating it to be at least $500,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Christ Church pastor Julia Piermont (standing, left) attended a Lonbgoat Key Planning Board quasi-judicial hearing where the board approved the redevelopment of a neighboring lot into 58 parking spaces.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 2, 2026
Christ Church approved for 58 new parking spaces

The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board voted to allow Christ Church to develop the parcel across the street into a parking lot.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The red outline shows where M/I Homes of Sarasota proposed to build 167 homes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 2, 2026
Manatee County commissioners deny 167 homes, 99 put on hold

Commissioners, applicants and residents spent nearly nine hours debating the side-by-side projects.

  • East County
  • News
All city of Sarasota utilities customers will receive installation of these new water meters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 2, 2026
Sarasota to start water-meter replacement project in March

All customers of the city's utilities department will receive new water meters in a $3.86 million project that will take two years to complete.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Many Manatee County residents don't want to deliver large items to the landfill themselves. They want bulk pickup service to return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 31, 2026
Trash talk continues in Manatee County

The county is trying to work within its current contracts to make residents happier with the garbage collection.

  • East County
  • News
Plans are to replace the Roy McBean Boys & Girls Club in Newtown with a new building and convert the current structure into outdoor play space.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2026
Youth club replacement in Newtown wins City Commission approval

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved three measures to permit Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and Desoto Counties to replace the McBean club location in Newtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Village Idiots Cycling Club member Patrick Franklin Sr. (center) was killed riding his bicycle Jan. 22 when hit by a truck pulling a trailer on Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2026
Death of beloved cyclist leaves Village Idiots Cycling Club members in shock

Patrick Franklin, 67, was hit by a truck while riding on El Conquistador Parkway in Bradenton.

  • East County
  • News
Sales for the Waldorf Astoria Residences in Sarasota kicked off on Jan. 28 with an event at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. The 18-story building is expected to be finished in 2029.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 29, 2026
Sales for Sarasota's Waldorf Astoria Residences get underway

Condos in the 18-story building begin at $2.2 million and range from one to five bedrooms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
David Crawford is 2026 president of Realtor Association of Sarasota and Manatee.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2026
Real estate market conditions show signs of a more robust 2026

As memories of 2024 storms fade, insurance and mortgage rates stabilize and in-migration continues, the Sarasota-Manatee region's real estate organization points to a growth in sales.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A site map of the location of the proposed 41-unit 414 Lime Avenue townhome development in the Park East neighborhood.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2026
41 new townhomes planned for Limelight District

A new proposal for 41 townhomes is breathing new life into a partially built and then demolished multifamily project on Aspinwall Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Watering restrictions are in place for Manatee and Sarasota counties.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 28, 2026
Water authority's restrictions include Manatee, Sarasota

Once-a-week irrigation rules are in effect. Rain is forecast this weekend, and even the possibility of snow flurries.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key water main break cuts north-end service
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 28, 2026
Longboat Key water main break cuts north-end service

North end residents between Broadway Street and Reclinata Drive are affected, the town says.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
1 2 3 4 5 »
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  • February 3, 2026
Alexander Calder - The Nature of Movement
2
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
  • February 3, 2026
Suspect caught after shooting near Palmer Ranch
3
A rendering of the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
  • February 3, 2026
Solid bond ratings fuel further health care system expansion
4
Temple Beth Israel named Suzan and Barry Friedman as this year's honorees for its 47th annual gala happening this month.
  • February 3, 2026
Longboat Key temple celebrates multigenerational family
5
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
  • February 3, 2026
Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters

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