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News

New College was founded in 1960.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 27, 2026
Finalized deal shifts USF Sarasota-Manatee to New College

Vote to send the state's budget to governor is expected on Friday.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Sarasota man charged with sexual battery of a minor
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 27, 2026
Sarasota man charged with sexual battery of a minor

Carson Smith, 23, was arrested last week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sophia IV sold for $6,775,000 in April and Stock Custom Homes is now planning a Wild Blue home that will list for $8 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 27, 2026
Has Lakewood Ranch become the playground for the rich?

Wild Blue has turned the multimillion sale into a common occurrence.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County man charged in deaths of girlfriend, son
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 26, 2026
Sarasota County man charged in deaths of girlfriend, son

34-year-old was ordered held without bond on a pair of second-degree murder charges.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key’s most recent beach renourishment project occurred in 2021, with the next round of sand-placing scheduled in 2028.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 26, 2026
Longboat’s five-year plan top-loaded with pricey projects

Of the $166.2 million planned for capital improvement projects, nearly half would be spent on a wastewater pipe and beach renourishment in years one and two.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Mayor Debbie Trice and Congressman Greg Steube are front and center for the ribbon cutting to mark the completion of Lido Beach renourishment.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 26, 2026
Lido Beach renourishment project officially complete

City, county and federal officials turned out to celebrate completion of the widening of Lido Beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town of Longboat Key distributes yellow and blue stickers for residents and business owners. Red stickers are reserved for police, fire and emergency responders.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 26, 2026
New evacuation re-entry stickers available at Town Hall

Tiered re-entry stickers feature new colors this year, so residents are encouraged to pick their new stickers up ahead of hurricane season.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Angie Cupp uses a tractor and landscaping rake attachment to clean Longboat Key beaches of debris.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 25, 2026
Beach raking cleans the shoreline but comes with erosion concerns

Many resorts on Longboat Key contract to have their beaches raked, which cleans and fluffs the sand, but town leaders are wary that it could increase erosion.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Though Florida Power & Light employs a variety of advanced technology to avoid power failures, often the basic work of tree trimming goes a long way toward heading off trouble.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 24, 2026
With our deep dependence on power, FPL gears up to keep the lights on

Manatee upgrades are part of a statewide initiative to build a tougher grid to hold up against hurricane season.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of the 12U baseball/softball fields five-plex that will be built at UMR Sports complex in East County.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • May 23, 2026
Expansion 'gets real' at UMR Sports of Bradenton

A wealth of sports fields and amenities are being added to the former Moore Dairy Farm property.

  • East County
  • News
Grant's Gardens has a two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road, and is proposing to build an office building on the lot across the street at 524 Gulf Bay Road.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 23, 2026
Landscaping company seeks expansion in Longboat Key

An office building proposed on Gulf Bay Road came before the Planning and Zoning Board for review Tuesday, prompting pushback from a neighbor and former employee.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 23, 2026
New town clerk hired for Longboat Key

Outgoing Town Clerk Trish Shinkle will retire on June 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

The district has lacked representation since Commissioner Carol Ann Felts died in February.

  • East County
  • News
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 22, 2026
Senior affordable housing project funding remains one step short

Sarasota Housing Authority is pledged $3 million from the county to close a funding gap for McCown Towers. Another $8 million from the city still requires a commission vote.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2026
Sarasota gunfire remains under investigation

Police looking into a Wednesday shooting into an unoccupied vehicle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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