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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
The house at 501 General Harris Street has received attention from neighbors, city code enforcement, banks and courts as foreclosure of the property inches along while maintenance is lacking.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 26, 2026
Pink house draws ire from neighbors

A Longboat Key house under foreclosure with a cluttered and unkempt yard has led to frustrations from Sleepy Lagoon neighbors and $50,000 in code violations from the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Boat, pedestrian and vehicle traffic are expected to be unaffected by a $4.3 million maintenance project on Siesta Key's north bridge.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 25, 2026
Siesta Key's north bridge undergoes maintenance project

Most work will take place below the deck of the 50-year-old drawbridge.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
34-year-old truck driver Stavan Albert Facey was killed in the crash.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 24, 2026
Hit-and-run suspect pleads not guilty in fatal I-75 wreck

The family of the truck driver killed on Monday has opened a GoFundMe page.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract has been extended until February 2027.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 24, 2026
Manatee County administrator's proposed contract raises concerns

Instead of signing a new contract before the election, commissioners extended Charlie Bishop’s current contract through February 2027.

  • East County
  • News
« 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 »
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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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