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News

Emilia Kalev reads to Olive, a pug, during the Read with the Dogs program at Gulf Gate Library.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 10, 2024
Libraries shift focus from physical collections to community hubs

With a public library branch headed to Longboat Key, Sarasota County staff highlight the ways in which libraries have evolved to offer a full suite of resources and events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Construction projects, like the St. Regis development, would likely need many inspections from the town planning and zoning department throughout the course of building.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 10, 2024
Longboat Key seeks interlocal agreement to share planning staff in emergencies

The town’s P&Z department asked to become part of an existing pact with neighboring municipalities to share staff in times of need.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A protective liner has been installed on top of the south Phosphogypsum stacks at Piney Point. It includes a new stormwater control system, and soil cover and grass to reduce the chance of soil erosion.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • July 9, 2024
Environmentalists, state of Florida settle Piney Point lawsuit

The agreement adds pollution controls and funds for water quality monitoring.

  • East County
  • News
City, county and Sarasota Housing Authority officials snip the ceremonial ribbon to open the SHA's 84-unit Cypress Square apartments.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 9, 2024
Housing Authority opens 84 affordable housing apartments

The new Cypress Square is the SHA's ninth public and low-income housing redevelopment in the past 16 years.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parrish's Heather Felton is running for the District 1 seat on the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 9, 2024
Desire to be an advocate inspires Manatee school board candidate

Heather Felton, a former teacher, wants to continue to help students but in a new role.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota Yacht Club plans to build a three-story addition as part of its expansion plans.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 9, 2024
Sarasota Yacht Club presents expansion plans to the city

A three-story, free-standing structure is proposed to meet growing membership demands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
East County's Mark Stanoch is running for the District 1 seat of the School Board of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • July 9, 2024
Resident wants to give back to the community through school board seat

Mark Stanoch says serving on the Manatee County School Board will be an opportunity to make the district better for his grandchildren and all children.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Hashtag Cafe opened 18 months ago and recently expanded to add a yarn business.
  • By Emily Leinfuss
  • July 9, 2024
Sarasota coffee shop doubles in size, adds yarn business

A family of German immigrants musters up a rare match by opening a yarn store inside their European-style cafe.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Photograph of the pipe lying on its side at the Town of Longboat Key's Public Works Department. The breach was in the bottom invert of the pipe.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • July 9, 2024
To tackle urgent infrastructure projects, Longboat faces $27M debt

Due to rising project costs, two necessary utility projects come with a price tag of almost $40 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A patron of iSmash stands atop a used car during a smash therapy session.
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • July 9, 2024
'Smash therapy' company plans Sarasota location

Franchisees plan to bring four new iSmash locations to Southwest Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota resident Kelly Franklin has filed an amended complaint alleging defamation against City Commissioner Kyle Battie.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 8, 2024
Amended city commissioner complaint shifts focus from slander to libel

A Sarasota resident challenges the prior ruling that Kyle Battie was acting as an elected official when he made racial allegations during a public meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Braden River Soccer Club practices at Lakewood Ranch Park. County staff wants to add two new turf fields to the park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2024
Synthetic soccer fields are coming to East County

Constant use has staff looking toward synthetic turf over grass.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 8, 2024
FST challenge match brings $2 million donation for Arts Plaza

Florida Studio Theatre has raised $41 million of its $57 million goal to build a new downtown Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bar Italia is preparing to open on July 13 in the Center Point plaza on the corner of University Parkway and Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2024
New Italian restaurant set to open in Lakewood Ranch

Bar Italia is scheduled to open on July 13 in the Center Point plaza.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Drone adds another layer to emergency services in Manatee County
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 7, 2024
Drone adds another layer to emergency services in Manatee County

Archer First Response Systems launched a pilot program at the EMS station in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Paul Mattison, chef and owner of Mattison's, at SRQ Airport's First Class Flavors tasting event.
  • June 22, 2026
SRQ airport highlights new concession with tasting event
2
Jerome and Kathryn Chesley pose in their living room surrounded by colorful glass art that they've collected over the years.
  • June 22, 2026
Sarasota couple are cultural ambassadors, together and separately
3
Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key Past President Michael Garey said he heard of the Miracle League of Manasota when his daughter, Amelia, volunteered as a buddy to the athletes. Garey suggested the 501(c)(3) as the club's new charitable partner, which board members recently accepted.
  • June 22, 2026
Accessible baseball league benefits from Kiwanis pancake breakfast funds
4
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
5
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

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