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News

Andejla Radojicic takes part in tennis lessons at Lakewood Ranch Park to help improve her game.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 8, 2025
Manatee County serves its youth with parks upgrades

Pickleball, sand volleyball and youth travel leagues are among the hot trends for Manatee County in 2025.

  • East County
  • News
A beachfront house badly damaged by Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 8, 2025
Extra staff help with Longboat permit surge

The state is supplying Longboat Key’s Planning, Zoning and Building Department with additional staff to help with an influx in storm-related permitting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Members of Flanigan's family with the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department when the family delivered the beach wheelchairs in honor of Jean Flanigan.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 7, 2025
Longboat Fire Department adds two accessible beach wheelchairs

In honor of Jean Flanigan, her family donated the accessible beach wheelchairs to the Longboat Key Fire Rescue Department for the public to use.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
People wait outside the Salvation Army shelter on 10th Street in Sarasota. Cold temperatures have prompted the county to arrange for shelters to open Jan. 7-8.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
Cold weather shelter to open Tuesday night as temperatures plummet

A shelter will be open 5 p.m. Jan. 7 until 6 a.m. Jan. 8 at the Salvation Army on 10th Street in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County Commissioner Robert McCann says moratoriums are needed in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 7, 2025
50-foot wetland buffers restored in Manatee County

Commissioner Robert McCann made a motion to restore the original language before the buffers were cut.

  • East County
  • News
A roundabout at the Ringling Boulevard/Pine Place intersection is in progress.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 7, 2025
Last planned Ringling roundabout opening delayed until spring

Supply chain and storm-related setbacks postpone the planned January opening of the roundabout at Ringling Boulevard and Pine Place.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Police Department.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 7, 2025
Town manager 'confident' about upcoming transition with Longboat PD

Following the departure of Chief of Police George Turner, Town Manager Howard Tipton said the town will stick with the interim chief until setting priorities for the new chief.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The rehabilitation hospital will be on Lake Osprey Drive.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 6, 2025
$30M rehab hospital breaks ground in Lakewood Ranch

The 40-bed rehabilitation facility is expected to open in 2026.

  • East County
  • News
Joe Di Bartolomeo is starting a resident volunteer board to connect communities in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 6, 2025
Former commission candidate finds new way to be involved in Manatee County

Joe Di Bartolomeo is starting a volunteer group for Manatee County residents living in District 5.

  • East County
  • News
This alley separates the Hyatt Regency property (right) and The Quay Block 1. Kolter Urban proposes to build above the west half of the alley at 15 feet.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 6, 2025
Quay developer appeals Kolter Urban Planning Board adjustment

The owner of Blocks 1 and 9 in The Quay claims Kolter Urban's plan to redevelop the adjacent Hyatt Regency property is in violation of multiple city code restrictions.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mira Mar has stood on South Palm Avenue since 1923.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 4, 2025
Rezoning process begins for Mira Mar Plaza

Seaward Development had its first hearing before the city's Development Review Committee for its plan to save the historic Sarasota building and add two 18-story towers to the site.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 3, 2025
Lakewood Ranch real estate experts expect a steady sales year in 2025

Apprehension over storms, politics is fading, they say, while East County has many sales options.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of One Park by Imerza shows the 18-story residential tower on Block 1 of The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 2, 2025
Top stories to watch in Sarasota in 2025

From high-level retirements to what to do about the Van Wezel, 2025 will be a busy year in the city of Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
What's ahead for Longboat Key projects in 2025
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 1, 2025
What's ahead for Longboat Key projects in 2025

Looking at the year to come, here are a few projects or topics that will likely move along.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Construction is well underway on the 44th Avenue overpass.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 1, 2025
East County road projects to watch in 2025

The 44th Avenue East extension project will be wrapping up as work on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard begins.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Kiki Bullas will be busy over the next few weeks competing in the USATF and AAU regional track and field junior olympics, hoping to reach the national competition in both.
  • June 22, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Kiki Bullas
2
A May 2024 rendering of the Sarasota County library on Longboat Key.
  • June 22, 2026
Property tax overhaul may put Longboat Key library in jeopardy
3
Manatee County staff and key stakeholders toss ceremonial dirt to kick off construction on a half-mile trail segment that will span from the Lake Manatee Water Treatment Plant to Rye Preserver.
  • June 22, 2026
Trail system breaks ground near Lake Manatee
4
Sienna Linn, a rising first grader at Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy, says she has no pets at home but has had a blast with her dog, Mia, at the Little Vet School camp.
  • June 20, 2026
Little Vet School teaches skills at The Out-of-Door Academy's summer camp
5
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

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