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News

The new 120,000-square-foot Sarasota County Administration Center will feature a glass-enclosed stairwell at the center of the building.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 31, 2024
Looking ahead to the top Sarasota County news in 2025

New county buildings, mall redevelopment planning and Siesta Key hotel battles are all in store for the coming year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The championship field at Sarasota County's 17th Street Park youth softball complex will feature a center field berm for spectators. The field is oriented toward the northeast to avoid direct sun toward home plate.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 30, 2024
Work on reimagined 17th Street Regional Park begins early 2025

The 18-month project first phase is expected to be complete in late 2026, including a youth and adult softball complex and multi-purpose athletic fields.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is on track to finish its current expansion project by the spring of 2025.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 29, 2024
Nate's Honor expansion will be wrapped up in spring

The $16.5 million Journey Home Capital Campaign for Nate's Honor Animal Rescue Center is expected to be finished by spring.

  • East County
  • News
The Bay Plaza Owners Association has been granted aggreived party status, allowing its appeal of the approval of Obsidian to go forward.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 28, 2024
Bay Plaza owners granted status to appeal Obsidian condo tower

The Planning Board's decision to grant aggrieved party status to Bay Plaza Owners Assocation means it may proceed with an appeal of the administrative approval of the Obsidian condo tower.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Jason Bearden sits in his office at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 28, 2024
Jason Bearden says he is taking a stand against unsupported development

The Manatee County at-large commissioner says he wants roads built first.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Military Academy is one of six schools in Sarasota that will have speed detection cameras in the school zone.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2024
School zone speed cameras activate Jan. 6

Speeds outside of six Sarasota schools will be monitored by speed detection devices resulting in $100 fines for offenders.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The KSA Architecture rendering of Saravela shows two towers of varying heights.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 27, 2024
Downtown mixed-use development will straddle zoning districts

Saravela is planned for 1.7 acres at North Tamiami Trail between Fourth and Fifth streets. At 11 and 18 stories it will be split by Downtown Bayfront and Downtown Core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The sidewalks and shoulders of the Cortez Bridge will experience closures during Manatee County's utility relocation project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 27, 2024
Utility relocation for Cortez Bridge project will continue through 2025

The work will likely close the shoulder areas of the Cortez Bridge area intermittently through the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
The Dallas and Elizabeth Dort Residence Hall is among the buildings on the New College East campus adjacent to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2024
2024: Sarasota by the numbers

From hurricane damage to government legal fees, here are some of the most notable figures in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A mini-park is a key feature of The Bay park Phase 2 Cultural District.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 22, 2024
Update on The Bay becomes object lesson in resilience

Bay Park Conservancy's AG Lafley tells County Commission native Florida outperforms the built environment as The Bay park never closed after Hurricane Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paid parking on St. Armands and Lido keys, including the St. Armands Garage, will resume on Jan. 2, 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2024
Paid parking to resume on St. Armands, Lido keys

Suspended since back-to-back hurricanes, the paid parking program on the barrier islands will resume Jan. 2, 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Waffle Stop owner Dolly Hollinger, seen here in December 2020.
    By
  • Mark Gordon, Louis Llovio
  • December 20, 2024
The Waffle Stop, Sarasota 'Elvis Ate Here' restaurant, to close by end of 2024

A Sarasota institution, The Waffle Stop, is closing after 74 years.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
2024: Longboat by the numbers
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 20, 2024
2024: Longboat by the numbers

From hurricanes to high ticket sales, here are some of the numbers that defined the year on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Video taken from a doorbell camera shows two people allegedly stealing packages from a Lakewood Ranch home. The Manatee County Sherif's Office has made two arrests in the case.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2024
Suspected Lakewood Ranch porch pirates arrested

The Bradenton suspects were seen on doorbell video, deputies say.

  • 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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