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News

Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique was picked in a 4-3 vote by the commission to serve as chair in 2026.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 15, 2025
Tal Siddique selected as chair of Manatee County Commission

Elected in 2024, the commissioner representing Longboat Key, Anna Maria and downtown Bradenton was chosen as chair in a 4-3 vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Residents line up behind the podium to object to a proposal for Altman Rye Townhomes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 15, 2025
Planning commission reviews three projects in east Manatee County

The combined projects would add nearly 400 housing units to the area.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 15, 2025
Stormwater, budget and spiffing up Siesta Key named county priorities

Sarasota County commissioners worked on their to-do list for the coming calendar year at their annual retreat.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Jason Bond and his mother, Donna DeLuca, have been hard at work renovating the space for the new Longboat Key Provisions, the latest addition to The Centre Shops.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • December 15, 2025
Newest addition to The Centre Shops offers sophisticated picnic supplies

Longboat Key Provisions is set to host a grand opening Dec. 19, showcasing its high-quality picnic blankets, charcuterie, snacks and more.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire

Frank Rubino started his law enforcement career in 1980 and served Longboat Key for more than a decade.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands

A three-story mixed-use proposal includes the popular destination, which closed its previous Circle location after 2024's floods.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Part of the renovation of Fruitville Library is a new History Center, replacing a building in Osprey a document calls "aging and inadequate to house the county's collections of historic artifacts.''
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 12, 2025
Fruitville Library renovations begin with Dec. 18 closure

The project, which includes a History Center, is expected to last until July.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Former Sarasota City Attorney Robert Fournier has drafted an updated noise ordinance for the city, which was approved by the City Commission on first reading.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2025
City asks: How much noise is too much?

In a long-awaited new ordinance, the Sarasota City Commission says if you can hear it from 100 feet away, it's too loud.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Construction of the Ritz-Carlton Residences II in The Quay. The project will add 78 condos to downtown.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2025
Thousands of new residences are planned now and soon in downtown

Cranes dot Sarasota's skyline as multifamily construction continues infill redevelopment with a growing trend toward rental units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota city commissioners adopted an ordinance in 2021 to register and regulate vacation rentals in coastal communities.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 11, 2025
Are complaints worth additional vacation rental oversight?

The city of Sarasota investigates the costs of expanding its short-term rental rules to areas encompassing 82 known vacation rental units.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cannons Marina is at 6040 Gulf of Mexico Drive on Longboat Key. The 70-plus year-old business started as a fish camp in the late 40s opened by Ernie Cannon.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Cannons Marina boats burglarized of more than $40,000 of equipment

The boat dealership, rental company and service center had GPS devices stolen from five boats overnight.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Tides of Longboat is one of several condo complexes in Manatee County where the first floor units saw a significantly reduced property tax assessment despite being undamaged by the 2024 hurricanes due to the first floor units’ elevations.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Town of Longboat has questions after property valuations decrease

Drastic reductions in property appraisal evaluations for undamaged condo units have raised the alarm for Longboat leaders.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Firefighter paramedic Aaron Maness and Training Captain David Eggleston raise their hands to recite an oath before receiving their badges. The two had already completed their training but had not officially received their badges in a ceremony. Maness was later awarded the Medal of Honor by Fire Chief Paul Dezzi.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 10, 2025
Longboat firefighter receives rare Medal of Honor award for action

Given only twice in the past 15 years, the medal was one of several awards given out at the Longboat Key Fire Department's annual program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Director of Government Relations Stephanie Garrison leads the work session Dec. 3.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 10, 2025
Changing millage review process a top priority among Manatee commissioners

Finding a way to cut taxes is a top priority, but finishing improvements on Lorraine Road is not.

  • East County
  • News
An example of what a downtown Sarasota point-to-point shuttle might look like.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 10, 2025
Short rides pitched to solve downtown Sarasota's parking woes

A condo group representative advocates for point-to-point transit options to make it easy for nearby residents to frequent businesses downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Abbie and Rudolph Brothers
  • February 16, 2026
Gamma Xi Boule Foundation parties with a purpose
2
Mette Milland and Toni Schemmel
  • February 16, 2026
Healthy Start Sarasota hosts Together We Bloom at Brown's Grove
3
The only access point to Bradenton Estates II is proposed from 18th Avenue East.
  • February 16, 2026
Manatee County commissioners approve 80 homes on 18th Avenue East
4
Manatee County Library Services Manager Tammy Parrott and Sue Ann Miller, president of the Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library, believe the second floor of the facility will be put to good use.
  • February 16, 2026
Lakewood Ranch Library is about to reach new heights
5
Kelly Gilliland grew up in Sarasota and has now lived in Lakewood Ranch for 25 years.
  • February 16, 2026
Resident's long-lasting heart for Lakewood Ranch stems from a mother's love

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