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News

Manatee County Commissioners and dignitaries board a bus to have the honor of taking the first official trip on the 44th Avenue Bridge across the Braden River on Aug. 7.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Road projects continue in east Bradenton to address growth

With 5,000 homes added in Manatee County annually, road projects across East County speed forward.

  • East County
  • News
A conceptual plan for Payne Park Auditorium shows expansions to the building in dark gray and 96 spaces of paved parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 13, 2023
Preliminary Payne Park Auditorium plans revealed to public

The Players Centre for Performing Arts unveiled a conceptual plan for the expansion and renovation of Payne Park Auditorium during a community workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The beach landscape of the Gulfside Road public beach access changed after Hurricane Idalia, now exposing an old sea wall.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Longboat's beaches withstood Idalia's surge, but flooding still prevailed. How?

The beaches helped protect Longboat Key's gulf side, but bayfront properties don't share those same protections.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This cat is waiting to move to her permanent home at the Lakewood Ranch EMS station.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2023
Manatee County sends feisty cats to work

The Working Cat Program by the county's Animal Service Division allows residents to adopt feral cats to control vermin.

  • East County
  • News
Mark Hiser, the new executive director at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy, has been around horses his whole life. He looks forward to taking on his new role.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 13, 2023
Riding therapy nonprofit welcomes new executive director

Mark Hiser wants to use his experience of working with "misfit horses" to expand the programming at Sarasota Manatee Association for Riding Therapy.

  • East County
  • Business
The existing signs for The Town of Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Millage rate, town staffing key focus of Longboat budget hearing

The first public hearing for Longboat Key’s fiscal year 2024 budget included a change to the millage rate and public comment about the personnel increase.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners were all present and ready to kick off the first meeting back on Sept. 11.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 13, 2023
Public concern, project updates kick off Town Commission’s return

The Sept. 11 regular commission meeting included concerns about emergency dispatch, undergrounding updates and a few resolutions.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Charlie Bishop has been named the permanent Manatee County administrator.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
Charlie Bishop named Manatee County administrator

Commissioners went away from the search company's suggestions to name Bishop, who has served shortly as the interim.

  • East County
  • News
Sea turtle nests are marked with bright yellow stakes connected with fluorescent tape. This is meant to protect them from beach rakers and everyday beachgoers.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Sea turtle nesting season, ordinance continue through Oct. 31

There could still be unmarked nests and others could still hatch, said the Longboat Key Turtle Watch vice president.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key commissioners Penny Gold, Gary Coffin and BJ Bishop were appointed to serve on committees with the Florida League of Cities.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • September 12, 2023
Longboat commissioners appointed to Florida League of Cities committees

Three Longboat Key town commissioners will join statewide committees to exchange ideas with other local officials.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Joan Leonard, the community liaison for Suncoast Blood Centers in Lakewood Ranch, hopes the shelves can be fully stocked with blood for the next hurricane.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • September 12, 2023
SunCoast Blood Centers seeks donations as hurricane season continues

The Lakewood Ranch blood center wants a full blood supply in preparation for more storms.

  • East County
  • News
Reverend Randall LaRoche and his wife Heidi attend a planning commission meeting on Aug. 10 with about 25 other Elwood Park residents. Heidi LaRoche came up with the idea for everyone to wear matching Elwood Park T-shirts when attending commission meetings. She makes the T-shirts, too.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 12, 2023
History trumps density in Manatee County's Elwood Park

The 650-acre, 100-year-old neighborhood has fended off two developers over the past year.

  • East County
  • News
The first phase of Sarasota Station by One Stop Housing on Fruitville Road is planned for 201 units, at least 20% of them priced at or below the range for 80% of the area median income.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2023
Housing ordinance approved, incentivizing affordable units downtown

The Sarasota City Commission approved incentives for public parking and attainable housing, though the lack of public input remains a point of contention.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cafe L'Europe is temporarily closed as they repair the damage caused by Hurricane Idalia.
    By
  • Petra Rivera
  • September 11, 2023
Cafe L'Europe closes temporarily for repairs after Hurricane Idalia damage

Phase 3 of the restaurant's renovation is postponed until next summer to focus on adding new menu items and maintaining their atmosphere.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
1233 Hillview Drive is listed at nearly $34 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 11, 2023
Sarasota home listing priced at $33.8 million

The bayfront estate is located in Harbor Acres with views of Ringling Bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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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