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News

Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2025
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires

Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
Constitutional open carry ruling brings confusion, extra security
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2025
Constitutional open carry ruling brings confusion, extra security

The presence of officers armed with long guns in Sarasota City Hall meetings is just one of the changes of the overturned Florida ban on open carry of guns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The campus of the Hermitage Artist Retreat on Oct. 10, 2024, the day after Hurricane Milton made landfall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 23, 2025
Arts organization declines county's damage restoration ultimatum

Hermitage Artist Retreat opts to have Sarasota County repair the campus it leases rather than take a lump sum to make repairs and assume liability.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Flooding in Pinecraft during 2024's Hurricane Debby prompted an emergency response.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 22, 2025
Phillippi Creek dredging will begin soon to alleviate flood threats

With permits and contracts finalized, work smoothing the flow of drainage is soon to start.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Recently completed at The Bay is the pedestrian promenade along North Tamiami Trail.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 22, 2025
The Bay moves ahead with Phase 3 of park developments

The Bay Park Conservancy has secured a funding plan with the Sarasota City Commission and County Commission to proceed with design and construction on the third phase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Solid dosage medications, (prescription and over the counter) such as tablets and capsules, are accepted. Liquids and needles will not qualify.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2025
Medication drop-off set Saturday at Sarasota Sheriff's Office, Police Department

The events are aimed at raising awareness of properly disposing of unwanted medications.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A car carrier sits in the median of Gulf of Mexico Drive Tuesday, Oct. 14. Many seasonal residents fly down and have their cars shipped on carriers to Longboat Key, and the return of the car transporters has become known as one of the first signs of the more busy winter season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 22, 2025
Longboat businesses optimistic for better season from visitors

The snowbirds are returning, and their dollars extend a lifeline for businesses that rely on the season to make up for a summer lull.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
The new pavilion and restrooms at Greenbrook Adventure Park are open to the public.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Pavilion, restrooms open at Greenbrook Adventure Park

More than two years after smoldering fireworks caused the original structure to burn, the replacement is complete.

  • East County
  • News
District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann votes against approving Manatee County's FY2026 budget.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 22, 2025
Manatee County commissioner calls DOGE audit 'accurate'

Commissioner Bob McCann said it's time to "tighten the belt and cut some people loose."

  • East County
  • News
U.S. Recycling is a construction and demolition recycling facility which borders the Central Cocoanut neighborhood. Suncoast Waterkeeper has filed a notice of intent to sue U.S. Recycling for allegedly polluting Hog Creek via stormwater runoff.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 22, 2025
Recycling facility may be sued for allegedly polluting Sarasota Bay

Suncoast Waterkeeper alleges that U.S. Recycling is violating the Clean Water Act by not abiding by Florida Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Pepper shrimp is just one of many cross-cultural dishes popular in Trinidad and Tobago and available on the menu at Flambo, the newest restaurant to open on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • October 22, 2025
Trinidadian cuisine on the menu at new St. Armands spot

A new family-run Caribbean restaurant called Flambo quietly opened on St. Armands Circle and looks forward to bringing energy to its new home.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
State Senator Jim Boyd (R-Bradenton) receives a round of applause at a ceremony where he was unanimously picked to serve as Senate President for the 2026-28 legislative term.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 22, 2025
Bradenton State Senator Jim Boyd picked as FL Senate president

In his address to the Florida Senate Caucus, Boyd said he has a vision for Florida where “every person has the chance to prosper,” “families feel safe in their neighborhoods” and businesses are empowered to grow.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 22, 2025
FST Arts Plaza to break ground Oct. 29

Florida Studio Theatre will celebrate the ceremonial groundbreaking of it new McGillicuddy Arts Plaza on Oct. 29.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Town Hall commission chambers were at capacity for a workshop meeting to discuss whether or not to rename Gulf of Mexico Drive, and monitors with additional seating were set up outside for an overflow crowd.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 21, 2025
Gulf of Mexico Drive will remain the name of Longboat's main road

Residents shared opinions on a road name change with the Longboat Key Town Commission, with over 500 emails flowing in, more than 80% advocating to not change.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Circle Chiropractic's Zoey Young, Greg Hengel, Ben Duke and Alex Scholz welcomed clients for the first time at their new location in Lakewood Ranch on Oct. 6.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 21, 2025
Chiropractic office opens in Lakewood Ranch

Their own injuries prompted Circle Chiropractic Owner Ben Duke and Clinic Director Greg Hengel to pursue careers in chiropractic care.

  • East County
  • Business
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Latest News

1
Justin Gomlak helps bring big city glamour to the Sarasota stage in "A Very Broadway Christmas," which plays Monday, Dec. 22, at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
  • December 17, 2025
The Van Wezel wants you to have 'A Very Broadway Christmas'
2
Online romance ends in trespassing warning
  • December 17, 2025
Online romance ends in trespassing warning
3
Manatee County administrators address the Manatee Chamber of Commerce Dec. 8. From left to right: Deputy county administrators Corey Stutte, Bryan Parnell, Courtney De Pol and County Administrator Charlie Bishop.
  • December 17, 2025
Convention Center expansion tops 'state of Manatee County' presentation
4
A Goodwill bookstore and donation center will occupy the new outparcel building at 3160 Gulf of Mexico Drive by the end of the year.
  • December 16, 2025
Goodwill to open Dec. 18 on Longboat Key
5
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

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