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News

Sarasota schools’ Rachael O’Dea, Mote’s Aly Busse, the associate vice president of education, and Manatee schools’ Amber Platowski, talk about possibilities while standing in front of what will be the three learning labs at Mote SEA.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • April 10, 2024
Mote aquarium hopes to lead students to marine science, biology careers

The Science Education Aquarium is working with Manatee and Sarasota school districts to provide access to every K-12 student.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota Police Department spent nearly $67,000 in personnel and other costs on the 2023 Powerboat Grand Prix, a city co-sponsored event.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 10, 2024
City considers reducing number of co-sponsored special events

Taxpayer costs for 15 events have increased 33.5% in two years, prompting Sarasota city commissioners to ponder the return on investment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A row of vertical oyster gardens that were recently installed at Mar Vista.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Restaurant's oyster program helps diners become environmental stewards

Chiles Hospitality recently partnered with Gulf Shellfish Institute to bring vertical oyster gardens to Mar Vista and send some home with diners.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dead honey bee comb.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Residents upset after utility crew eradicates honey bee colony

The colony had been a part of the community for at least 24 years, according to residents. Neighbors wish they'd had a say in the bees' fate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
In a 2022 report by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, sea levels along U.S. coastlines are predicted to rise as much as 1 foot by 2050.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 10, 2024
Seawalls can now be up to 6 feet tall on Longboat Key

The change raises the maximum allowable height from 4.5 feet to 6 feet and aligns with the town's long-term sea-level rise and resilience plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sugar Champagne Bar is expected to open by the end of the year.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • April 9, 2024
Champagne bar, piano lounge to open in downtown Sarasota

Local entrepreneur Ronnie Shugar is investing $15 million in downtown Sarasota entities and projects.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Jim Keiner, Gene Tischer, Marge Slepica, Bob Keehn, Bob Smith and Diane Brune celebrate the 2024 donation to Stillpoint Mission.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2024
Lakewood Ranch golfers raise over $70,000 for Stillpoint Mission

Bob Smith started an email campaign 13 years ago that continues to grow.

  • East County
  • News
An aerial view of Quick Point Nature Preserve.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Residents give Longboat Key high marks in citizen survey

Traffic was the primary concern for residents, but they were satisfied with town services and overall quality of life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which will remain.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 9, 2024
City will consider building its own workforce housing

Sarasota City Manager Marlon Brown will propose a plan to build 192 units in two towers across from City Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A bench overlooks the Braden River at the end of a dirt trail. Amenities were intentionally kept minimal.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 9, 2024
Johnson Preserve raised bar for grassroots conservation efforts

Conserving the land at Braden River for public use was a joint effort between citizens, Manatee County and the Conservation Foundation of the Gulf Coast.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County will have two new solid waste collection contractors beginning in spring 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 9, 2024
Sarasota County to hold community meetings on waste collection changes

New haulers and higher rates are coming for residents of unincorporated areas of Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The nine existing Verizon cell poles on Longboat Key are 25- or 35- feet tall poles. The new AT&T antennas will be placed on top of smart street poles being installed with the underground utility project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 9, 2024
Installation of AT&T service upgrades permitted on Longboat

Town commissioners voted to change the wording in the zoning code to allow AT&T to install cellphone service upgrades.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of 1260 North Palm Avenue Residences, formerly Obsidian, overlooking Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 8, 2024
Downtown condo tower returns with modifications and a new name

Now branded 1260 North Palm Avenue Residences, the 18-story tower proposal shaved a little off the top and made progress toward street-level requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioners Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard Ray Turner and George Kruse sit at the dais. Kruse is met with silence on March 12 when proposing call-in comments return.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Manatee County and residents at odds over communication restrictions

Residents are not allowed to call in to commission meetings or comment on Manatee County's social media platforms.

  • East County
  • News
Norman Love Confections has reopened its chocolate salon on the other side of University Parkway at The Shoppes at UTC.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 8, 2024
Norman Love Confections moves in next to Trader Joe's

The chocolate salon moved to the Manatee County side of UTC to The Shoppes.

  • East County
  • Business
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Latest News

1
Longboat Key Police Department.
  • December 26, 2025
Show off your cars, enjoy coffee at LKPD community event
2
The pool in Taylor Morrison's Esplanade at Azario development in Sarasota's Lakewood Ranch community.
  • December 26, 2025
Builder to bring 1,200-home community to Lakewood Ranch
3
Riverview High baseball player-mentors pose for a photo on Dec. 9 with their kindergarten mentees at Southside Elementary School. Danielle Sobolewski, a kindergarten teacher at Southside, asked for some silly faces.
  • December 25, 2025
Riverview High baseball mentors next generation
4
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind
5
The Unit 111 condominium at 1301 Tamiami Trail was built in 2000 and has three bedrooms, two baths and 2,186 square feet of living area.
  • December 25, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for Dec. 8-12 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

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