News

Andrew Warfield
February 20, 2025

SPAC pact still faces City Commission uncertainty

A rising price tag on pared-down project, the county's fiscal disinterest and bay view easements make commissioners uneasy over committing to next design phase of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center.

Sarasota
News

Mark Gordon
February 20, 2025

Pickleball players search for home courts closer to home

Passionate pickleball players — which is to say just about all of them — are dinking and dunking for new Lakewood Ranch courts to compete on. A solution might be in play.

East County
News

Observer Staff
February 19, 2025

Sarasota County names new human resources chief

Mike McNichols will join the county in advance of the April retirement of Chris Louria.

Sarasota
News

Lesley Dwyer
February 19, 2025

What's ahead for the year-old Lakewood Ranch Library

The second floor buildout is in the design phase as library and Manatee County personnel consider how to best use it.

East County
News

Carter Weinhofer
February 19, 2025

Beach traffic issue flow raised again by north-end Longboat community

Traffic is inevitable, but the north-end community group thinks a simple solution for the exits on Coquina Beach could make a big difference.

Longboat Key
News

Carter Weinhofer
February 19, 2025

Manatee County to leave Longboat Key plaza space in August

The county planned to turn the leased space into a community center with adult education classes but now is shifting away from putting money into a leased space.

Longboat Key
News

Andrew Warfield
February 19, 2025

Fruitville Road project wins adjustment for Fourth Street driveway

With no site plan submitted, the developer of nearly 2 acres between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street at North Tamiami Trail gets critical access approval.

Sarasota
News

Carter Weinhofer
February 19, 2025

Shorebird stewards ready for start of breeding season in Florida

Nesting shorebirds frequent Longboat and Lido Key beaches in the spring and summer months, with the season officially starting on Feb. 15.

Longboat Key
News

Andrew Warfield
February 18, 2025

Commttee begins to weigh options for Van Wezel

With five months to go, the Purple Ribbon Committee shifts from research to discussion on ways to repurpose Sarasota's primary performance venue.

Sarasota
News

Carter Weinhofer
February 18, 2025

Spanish Main Yacht Club faces $13M lien from restoration company

The Servpro company from Michigan filed the lien due to unpaid invoices from the Longboat Key condominium community.

Longboat Key
News

Carter Weinhofer
February 18, 2025

Red tide effects pop up on Longboat Key beaches

Piles of dead fish added to the foul odor on some parts of Longboat Key beaches around Feb. 17.

Longboat Key
News

Elizabeth King
February 18, 2025

Big projects to keep an eye on in Parrish

With bulldozers and (lots of) building permits in tow, a pair of communities a short car ride away from Lakewood Ranch are in boom mode. "Coming soon" signs dot the landscape.