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News

Philip DiMaria says “there is a great opportunity here for St. Armands to evolve and become incredible again.”
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 5, 2026
Urban planner shares bold ideas to solve flooding on St. Armands

An urban planner takes a big-picture look at solving one of the region's most vexing issues: flooding on St. Armands Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 4, 2026
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need

Sarasota Memorial Health Care System has opened its new Pregnancy and Wellness Center at its Clark Road campus, targeting care for the uninsured or underinsured.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The dredging machine “Clearwater” digs a 13 foot, 180-foot-wide ditch on the bottom of New Pass, using pumps to carry the dredged sediment through miles-long pipes onto the northern end of Lido Key for a renourishment project.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 4, 2026
New Pass dredge clears way for more boat traffic

The Lido Key Beach renourishment project will have another beneficial effect: opening up New Pass to boaters, who will see navigational markers return for the first time in eight years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 4, 2026
Town’s investment portfolio logs solid performance in 2025

In all, the town of Longboat Key has $83.4 million in investments and cash, much from debt issued to the town that it reinvests while large capital projects are planned and executed.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Thundercloud Ranch is one of two conservation easements Manatee County purchased Jan. 27.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 4, 2026
Manatee County purchases two easements, conserves nearly 1,500 acres

Conservation easements will protect two Manatee County ranches from future development.

  • East County
  • News
Commisisoner Liz Alpert (right) questions Parks and Recreation Director Jerry Fogle during the hearing about the Bobby Jones clubhouse design as Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 4, 2026
Contentious meeting results in pared down golf course clubhouse

Ideologies clashed as a divided Sarasota City Commission votes to pursue a smaller clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
Hurricanes Milton and Helene caused some $4 million in damage to the Sarasota Sailing Squadron facilities.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • February 2, 2026
Sarasota Sailing Squadron continues its path of recovery

The Sarasota Sailing Squadron has come a long way since hurricanes Milton and Helene. More work remains.

  • 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
« 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 »
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
3
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
4
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens
5
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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