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News

The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is preparing its 5-year Transportation Improvement Program to submit to FDOT.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 1, 2026
MPO accepting public input for transportation improvement program

The Sarasota-Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization is accepting public input as it prepares its five-year project priority list for submission to FDOT this summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Supervisor of Elections Scott Farrington stands next to one of the new voting machines.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 30, 2026
Elections forge ahead with revamped Supervisor of Elections office

Manatee County’s Scott Farrington will get his first major tests after winning a high-profile election in 2024.

  • East County
  • News
Damage to the shoreline of Ken Thompson Park at City Island following the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 30, 2026
Waterfront park to receive $3 million in hurricane repairs and resilience

The money will help make 2024 storm-related repairs and shore up the shoreline at Ken Thompson Park on City Island.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Analysts at SPD's Real Time Operations Center monitor multiple cameras, sensors and other devices spread throughout the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 30, 2026
Annual crime rates in Sarasota continue to decline

In presenting the annual Sarasota Police Department crime report, Chief Rex Troche said the department is "just right" to be effective.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Hurricane Milton at 8:05 p.m. Oct. 9, 2024.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 29, 2026
Climate Adaptation Center predicts fewer storms this hurricane season

The annual forecast by the local nonprofit predicted a total of two major hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley makes his case to the Sarasota County Commission for funding Phase 3 work at The Bay Park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 29, 2026
Sarasota County takes cautious approach to The Bay park funding

Rather than commit to a funding its portion of the The Bay Phase 3 project, the Sarasota County Commission approved half its share of the fiscal year 2027 debt service payment from TIF funds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue received a grant for an extra set of protective equipment that will allow firefighters to wash equipment after every fire.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 29, 2026
Fire department receives new protective equipment thanks to grant

The 35 sets of gloves and neck protectors will allow Longboat Key Fire Rescue to wash equipment without down time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Aerial view of Gulfside Road in September 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 29, 2026
Erosion on Gulfside Road prevalent even before seawalls

Seawalls, the solution to constant erosion on a portion of Longboat Key, exacerbate the problem the town hopes to solve with a groin field, but are not the sole cause.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Country Club East Park, a place of both community and convenience for Willis Elementary families, will be closed off starting May 29 for nine months to build three youth baseball fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 28, 2026
Manatee delays construction at Country Club East Park after parents state concerns

The park, which will have three new youth baseball fields built, is a secondary pick up and drop off spot for students.

  • East County
  • News
Albert Miano Jr. is sworn in as the newest officer of the Longboat Key Police Department Wednesday, April 15.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 28, 2026
Longboat Key Police Department swears in newest officer

Northeast native Albert Miano Jr. has two decades of law enforcement experience and is a Navy and National Guard veteran.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An artistic rendering by Hoyt Architects of the street level of the proposed Obsidian at 126 N. Palm Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2026
Controversial downtown tower comes back before City Commission

A mediated agreement between city staff and the developer of the previously rejected Obsidian tower will be considered by the Sarasota City Commission on May 4.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Raising roads in several Longboat Key neighborhoods is a priority for town leaders, but paying for the neighborhood resiliency projects is a more difficult ask than originally anticipated with a new $30 million price tag.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 27, 2026
Town forms 'steady as we go' budget as revenues uncertain

The 2027 fiscal year budget formation process continued with a strategic planning retreat meeting April 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 26, 2026
Driver pronounced dead after Lakewood Ranch crash

Florida Highway Patrol says a 69-year-old might have experienced a medical episode.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 »
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Latest News

1
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
  • May 6, 2026
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
2
This fall will be Scott Paravicini's fourth season as the Lakewood Ranch football coach. He's posted a 14-17 record since taking over the program.
  • May 6, 2026
Despite cancer, Lakewood Ranch High coach remains committed to his players
3
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County
4
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
  • May 6, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre actor is a woman for all seasons
5
The home at 5910 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $4.9 million. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,272 square feet of living area.
  • May 6, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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