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News

School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines

School board members and school community members debate what the dress code should be and whether school uniforms are an option.

  • East County
  • Schools
The St. Regis Longboat Key arch is installed on a private groin that extends into the Gulf.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 18, 2026
Longboat Key makes case against St. Regis arch

Jurisdiction claims and FDEP permit both addressed in town’s suit against St. Regis.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City of Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short shares an update on the Anna Maria Pier to Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams (left) and Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton (right) at a Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting May 6.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 18, 2026
Barrier island mayors meet to discuss pier, parking and phone pings

The mayors of Longboat Key, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach met May 6 to discuss issues facing the barrier islands and projects that are underway or planned.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.

The out-east story keeps adding new chapters, from county office buildings to a globally known furniture store.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board

Two seats will become available when citizen slots expire at the end of June.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout

Sarasota County hopes to alleviate busy-time traffic backups at the Lakewood Ranch Boulevard intersection.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

An organization dedicated to boosting the local economy was in a pickle late last year. Lakewood Ranch executive Amanda Parrish was the right person, at the right time, to make things right.

  • East County
  • News
Officer Ryan Block and K-9 Partner Kodak have become Sarasota Police Department's second certified explosive detection team.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2026
SPD K-9 team earns explosive-detection certification

Officer Ryan Block and K-9 partner Kodak have completed a rigorous 300-hour certification program for explosive detection certification.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A lane closure will affect traffic on the John Ringling Causeway during an FDOT maintenance project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2026
Roadwork will close Ringling Causeway lane at Bird Key

One westbound lane expected to be shut down after 7 p.m.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Karie Friling makes brief comments to the Sarasota City Commission during her visit to the May 4 commission meeting.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
New city manager calls career in public service 'most noble of professions'

Karie Friling has made several fact-finding visits to Sarasota in preparation for assuming her new role as city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?

The public will get its first look at proposed design concepts for the Main Street complete street project at a May 21 workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of BayCare HealthHub on Moccasin Wallow Road.
    By
  • Louis Llovio
  • May 14, 2026
Health care expands in the area in a big way

Health care systems are expanding in and around Lakewood Ranch — for both the short- and long-term.

  • East County
  • News
Retired Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport President and CEO Rick Piccolo's name is now emblazoned on the airport loop road at SRQ.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 13, 2026
Airport roadway named for former SRQ president and CEO

Airport Circle at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport has been officially renamed Rick Piccolo Circle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key has dozens of canals, 88 according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission

The first of two votes passed unanimously to establish flat fees and ad-valorem assessments to dredge and maintain Longboat Key's canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A great egret perches on a mangrove that fronts Longboat Pass. Mangroves are an important habitat for birds and juvenile sport fish while providing erosion protection.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 13, 2026
30 years after mangrove law passed, enforcement still relies on citizen reporting, education

Mangrove health statewide has slightly increased since the law was passed, but violations are going unpunished, advocates say.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
A new fire pit area awaits campers, along with the playground that was moved from Camp Flying Eagle, where camps used to be held.
  • May 21, 2026
Dream Oaks Camp opens near Rye Preserve just in time for summer
2
Elizabeth Arnold is transitioning from citizen activist to commissioner candidate. She's running for the District 1 seat.
  • May 21, 2026
Parrish resident steps up to protect rural Manatee County in District 1 race
3
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park
4
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
  • May 21, 2026
No fees for day docks at The Bay park
5
The new Kompose Hotel at SRQ Airport will be built behind this Hampton Inn along University Parkway.
  • May 21, 2026
New hotel will complete three-facility campus at SRQ airport

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