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News

Karen Medford has moved up the ladder with her Sirius Day Spa, Salon and Med Spa business by opening a location in Waterside. The new location will include a boutique.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 27, 2026
Sirius Day Spa opens new location in Lakewood Ranch entertainment hub

Owner Karen Medford says it has been a dream for her to own a spa at Waterside Place.

  • East County
  • Business
Longboat Pass Bridge was originally constructed in 1957 and reconstructed in 2005 and 2020.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 27, 2026
Hearings planned for north-end Longboat bridge project

The Longboat Pass Bridge was built in 1957 and will need to be rebuilt, according to FDOT.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Vern Buchanan has announced his retirement following 20 years in Congress.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 27, 2026
Longtime local legislator announces retirement from Congress

Vern Buchanan, who represents Florida's 16th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, has announced his retirement following 20 years in Washington.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Only commercial properties will be assessed if House Bill 4091 passes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 27, 2026
Legislators to decide if a taxing district could solve UTC's stormwater problems

If passed, House Bill 4091 will make the University Town Center area a special district that can pay for infrastructure using bonds.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key is looking into potential impacts from a changed flight path from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport that took effect in 2024.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 27, 2026
Longboat Key evaluates impacts of new flight path

Residue found on patio furniture may be connected to a new flight path, and the town is hiring an engineering firm to look into it.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya (left) and Public Works Director Nikesh Patel presented the federal offshore oil and gas leasing opposition resolution to the City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 26, 2026
Sarasota joins Florida communities to oppose renewed offshore oil drilling

The Sarasota City Commission unanimously approved a resolution against a new federal offshore oil and gas leasing program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Randy Clair
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 26, 2026
Former Town Commissioner Randy Clair loved the water, Longboat and family

An avid sailor, loving father and husband and two-time town commissioner, Randy Clair made an impact on Longboat Key in his 29 years living on the island. He died Jan. 17 at age 86.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
While construction abounds around The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, Portillo's is not among the businesses preparing to move into the shopping center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 25, 2026
Chicago hot dog eatery reverses course on Manatee County location

Portillo's is no longer planning to open a restaurant in The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour.

  • East County
  • News
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • January 25, 2026
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy

The new policy specifies a three-day window for Sarasota County parents to send in an attendance note following an excused absence, while outlining clearly what counts as an excused absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The School District of Manatee County Superintendent Laurie Breslin, School Board Chair Cindy Spray, Vice Chair Richard Tatem, and School Board Members Heather Felton and Charlie Kennedy were among the group of people to break ground on AAA High School.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • January 24, 2026
Manatee School District breaks ground for new Lakewood Ranch high school

AAA High School, located at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch, is set to open to ninth and 10th graders in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Ringling College names new president
    By
  • Elizabeth King, Mark Gordon
  • January 24, 2026
Ringling College names new president

Davis Schneiderman will be the globally known arts college's seventh president in 95 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
About $12,000 in small bills was seized as part of the investigation.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • January 23, 2026
Investigators make cocaine-trafficking arrest near Sarasota park

$12,000 in small bills and more than 400 grams of drugs were seized, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Food truck regulations were a topic of discussion at the Tuesday, Jan. 20 Longboat Key Town Commission workshop meeting.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • January 23, 2026
Are food trucks allowed on Longboat Key?

Whether a coffee trailer would pave the way for other mobile businesses to follow suit concerned Commissioner BJ Bishop.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Capriotti's Sandwich Shop is at 6320 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 23, 2026
New sandwich shop opens in south Sarasota

Capriotti’s, known for its submarine sandwiches, is located on South Tamiami Trail and Stickney Point Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In will open this spring at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 23, 2026
Hob Nob to reopen in Sarasota with new owner

The Original Hob Nob Drive-In will be operated with support from The Breakfast Company founders.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
3
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
4
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens
5
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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