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News

Site Plan for the Canal District in The Bay Park. The shown site of the performing arts center, not part of the Bay Park Conservancy's purview, has been moved to along U.S. 41 and crossing the canal.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 15, 2025
Day docks near final approval for Sarasota's Centennial Park

The Bay Park Conservancy must now appear before the City Commission for approval of waivers to build 18 slips on a floating dock in the canal at Centennial Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The front entrance of Manatee County's leased space at Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
County finds obstacles with Whitney Plaza community center space

Manatee County will still try to create a community space on the north end of Longboat Key, but where to put that space may be in question.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key's Town Commission election on March 19, 1979.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
Unlike recent years, Longboat will have a contested commission race in 2025

The last contested Town Commission race was in 2018, and since then, the island has lacked campaigning and competition for the town's most powerful board.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lo’ Key Island Grille opened Jan. 6, 2025.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 15, 2025
Lo' Key Island Grille now open on Longboat Key

The island's newest restaurant, Lo' Key Island Grille, is now open for business.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
P1 Offshore has announced that Sarasota has been dropped from its 2025 schedule of races.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 14, 2025
Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix canceled for 2025

Finances and uncertainty about construction around Sarasota Bay have sunk the Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix for this year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kevin Van Ostenbridge sits through one of his last meetings as commissioner on Oct. 22, 2024. He's since filed two lawsuits claiming defamation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 14, 2025
Former Manatee commissioner sues another commissioner for defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge, who was the District 3 commissioner in Manatee County, is suing former at-large Commissioner Betsy Benac.

  • East County
  • News
A proposed cross-section of 10th Street between Central and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 14, 2025
City wins federal grant for Complete Streets projects

A $12 million RAISE grant will provide the bulk of the funding to convert several blocks of 10th Street and Boulevard of the Arts.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Don O'Leary and East Manatee Fire Rescue Chief Lee Whitehurst celebrate O'Leary's 2019 retirement as fire commissioner.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 14, 2025
Lakewood Ranch's No. 1 ambassador dies at 90

Don O'Leary was a pillar of the community who advocated for more fire stations.

  • East County
  • News
The upcoming project with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program will focus on 300 feet of seawall at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 14, 2025
Future seawall panels at Bayfront Park will improve marine ecosystem

The town of Longboat Key and Sarasota Bay Estuary Program hope this seawall addition will start construction by the end of 2025.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
GCCF accepts annual scholarship program applications
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2025
GCCF accepts annual scholarship program applications

The Gulf Coast Community Foundation has awarded more than $11.5 million in scholarships to local students since 1997.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new Manatee County Board of County Commissioners is pursuing "extraordinary circumstances" to increase impact fees beyond the state's maximum allowance.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 13, 2025
New commissioners prepare to 'fight' for higher impact fees

The increase could garner millions more in fees for Manatee County by the end of 2025 if passed.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County expects an additional $210 million in federal funding for storm recovery efforts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 13, 2025
Sarasota County expects $210M in federal storm recovery funding

A new round of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant funds will be allocated in accordance Sarasota County's Resilient SRQ program model.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Many Siesta Key neighborhood streets are included in the resurfacing program.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 12, 2025
Siesta Key road resurfacing project resumes Monday

Suspended in the aftermath of a busy hurricane season, the project to resurface much of the roadway on Siesta Key will resume on Jan. 13.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Sand is dredged from the Longboat Pass channel to be utilized in the Gulfside Road beach nourishment project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 12, 2025
Gulfside Road beach nourishment to finish by end of January

While the temporary sand placement will save the beach in the short term, Longboat Key's coastal engineer will start the permitting process for a long-term solution.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering by MHK Architecture of Amara from Sarasota Bay at the east side of Golden Gate Point.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 11, 2025
2 luxury condo towers to replace Pier 550 on Golden Gate Point

The Sarasota Planning Board has approved Amara, a two-tower, 54-unit luxury condominium project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Palmetto community leaders showed up strong at Longboat Island Chapel's latest charity drive to support Mt. Carmel Resource Center on June 16. From left, Deputy Ken Jewett, Sgt. Joy Jewett, Chief of Police Scott Tyler, City of Palmetto Mayor Daniel West, Shirley Pearson, executive director of Strength in Action, Inc., Rev. Brock Patterson, Pearson's sister Laura Wallace, and Town of Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton.
  • June 20, 2026
From food to furniture, chapel's programs continue to make an impact
2
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
3
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
4
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
5
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

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