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News

The St. Armands Circle garage didn't collect fees for several months after the 2024 hurricanes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 26, 2026
City extends paid parking hours and hikes citation fines to cover deficit

The Sarasota City Commission approves extending paid parking to 24/7 and increasing citation fines to make the city's Parking Division solvent and fund future capital needs.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A conceptual rendering of the planned expansion of Plymouth Harbor. The new residential tower is at the right.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2026
Rezoning clears the way for Plymouth Harbor expansion

Rezoning will permit Plymouth Harbor continuing care retirement community will build 153 new independent living apartments at its campus on Coon Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Ellenton's Rennee Lux, who will serve as the director for KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch, is eager to welcome children and families into the new space.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 25, 2026
KLA Schools prepares to open new early learning center in Lakewood Ranch

Currently in construction, KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch will serve 200 children between the ages of 3 months and 4 years old.

  • East County
  • Schools
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

Build-your-own sandwiches and cozy space sets second branch apart from original.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Planning and Zoning Board gives thumbs down to St. Regis arch

The issue of whether to amend the town’s sign code to allow the St. Regis arch will come to the Longboat Key commission with a "no" recommendation from the PZB.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eddie Abrams stands at the base of his raised lot on Longboat Drive North where he is building his insulating concrete form house. Abrams and his son are both rebuilding on raised lots after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Annual report highlights a year defined by rebuilding

The town of Longboat Key issued 2,183 permits for storm damage repairs in the 2025 fiscal year, according to its 2025 annual report.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karie Friling (left) was the City Commission's choice for the next city manager following a two-day interview process with five candidates that included a community roundtable session.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2026
Employment contract approved for the next Sarasota city manager

The Sarasota City Commission agrees to terms with Karie Friling as the city's next, and first female, city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Philip Reber, the acting CEO at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, stands in one of the 60 new rooms of the hospital's 170,000-square-foot tower expansion.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2026
New hospital tower is the talk of Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center cuts the ribbon on its $120 million expansion project.

  • East County
  • News
Debra Williams (standing left) and Penny Gold (standing right) were picked as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at Longboat Key’s Town Commission meeting Monday, March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Williams picked as mayor, Gold as vice mayor of Longboat Key Town Commission

District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams will serve a one-year term as mayor, replacing Ken Schneier in the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location

The original Lakewood Ranch location of the Italian and Seafood restaurant will remain open.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among the 75 best maternity hospitals in America, according to a ranking by Money magazine.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 24, 2026
SMH ranks among the best maternity-care hospitals in America

Money magazine has listed Sarasota Memorial Hospital among the top 75 hospitals in America for maternity care.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
From left to right: Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Jon Thaxton and One Stop Housing CEO Mark Vengroff made up a panel hosted by Miracle on the Key Thursday, March 19 on the subject of affordable housing.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Panel discusses the thorny problem of affordable housing

Although there are developments that provide affordable housing in the area, the need is not nearly met.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road

A man was pushing a bicycle while on foot near Gocio Road, the Florida Highway Patrol says.

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

1
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters
2
A single-family residence at 3515 Gulf of Mexico Drive has been under construction for years and is nearing completion.
  • May 6, 2026
Application tweaks aim to streamline permitting process
3
Caroline Bartlomiejczuk, Sage Alcorn and Sofia Ortega are members of the orchestra at Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • May 6, 2026
Lakewood Ranch High music department earns national recognition
4
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch
5
Circus Trail currently runs along the east side of Circus Boulevard before crossing over the road to the east and then back again.
  • May 6, 2026
Circus Trail envisioned to connect Fruitville to 17th Street Park

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