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News

Demolition of Sarasota Square Mall is underway in preparation for a mixed-use redevelopment.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 21, 2025
Sarasota Square Mall demolition begins

Developer Torburn Partners begins tearing down Sarasota Sauare Mall for a redevelopment to include up to 1,200 apartments and 690,000 square feet of commercial space on the South Tamiami Trail site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The $31.5 million Crystal Waters estate on Siesta Key is at 8501 Midnight Pass Road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2025
Siesta Key estate hits the market at $31.5 million

"Crystal Waters" is a custom-built West Indies-style mansion on 2.7 acres and 217 feet on Little Sarasota Bay.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2025
Ringling Bridge lighting schemes restricted by FDOT

New policy specifies all state-owned facilities, including the Ringling Bridge, will be illuminated only for government holidays. Red, white and blue will be default colors.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota City Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2025
Sarasota begins drafting the next two-year strategic plan

Meticulous wordsmithing of the mission and vision statements sets the tone for the list of project goals for city's 2026 blueprint.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Renzo Piano Building Workshop conceptual rendering of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center as viewed from the 10th Street Canal.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 20, 2025
SPAC pact still faces City Commission uncertainty

A rising price tag on pared-down project, the county's fiscal disinterest and bay view easements make commissioners uneasy over committing to next design phase of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Haskin returns a serve against Alan Bartlett at a recent pickleball game at Lakewood Ranch High School.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 20, 2025
Pickleball players search for home courts closer to home

Passionate pickleball players — which is to say just about all of them — are dinking and dunking for new Lakewood Ranch courts to compete on. A solution might be in play.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County names new human resources chief
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2025
Sarasota County names new human resources chief

Mike McNichols will join the county in advance of the April retirement of Chris Louria.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Library has been open for over a year now.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2025
What's ahead for the year-old Lakewood Ranch Library

The second floor buildout is in the design phase as library and Manatee County personnel consider how to best use it.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic often gets congested heading north from Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Beach traffic issue flow raised again by north-end Longboat community

Traffic is inevitable, but the north-end community group thinks a simple solution for the exits on Coquina Beach could make a big difference.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The front entrance of Manatee County's leased space at Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Manatee County to leave Longboat Key plaza space in August

The county planned to turn the leased space into a community center with adult education classes but now is shifting away from putting money into a leased space.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The development envelope of a future project between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street is outlined in yellow with the options for the driveway location shown off Fourth Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 19, 2025
Fruitville Road project wins adjustment for Fourth Street driveway

With no site plan submitted, the developer of nearly 2 acres between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street at North Tamiami Trail gets critical access approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Black skimmer chicks have started to appear on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Shorebird stewards ready for start of breeding season in Florida

Nesting shorebirds frequent Longboat and Lido Key beaches in the spring and summer months, with the season officially starting on Feb. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Van Wezel Performng Arts Hall seats 1,741 for touring performances.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 18, 2025
Commttee begins to weigh options for Van Wezel

With five months to go, the Purple Ribbon Committee shifts from research to discussion on ways to repurpose Sarasota's primary performance venue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spanish Main Yacht Club in Longboat Key is comprised of 212 units and is situated on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Spanish Main Yacht Club faces $13M lien from restoration company

The Servpro company from Michigan filed the lien due to unpaid invoices from the Longboat Key condominium community.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Some parts of Longboat Key's beaches were lined with dead fish on Feb. 17.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Red tide effects pop up on Longboat Key beaches

Piles of dead fish added to the foul odor on some parts of Longboat Key beaches around Feb. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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