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News

A conceptual drawing shows the location of the proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center at The Bay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 2, 2023
SPAC task force to select architect finalists next week

The committee tasked with selecting a firm to design the new Sarasota Performing Arts Center will meet on May 12.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A turtle nest was laid on Longboat Key last week.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • May 2, 2023
Longboat spots first turtle nests of 2023

The nestings of loggerhead turtles and green sea turtles are typical on Longboat Key through the season, which is May 1 to Oct. 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Scott Schneider, Jason Wysong and Doug Wagner are the finalists for the next superintendent of the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Liz Ramos
  • May 1, 2023
Meet the finalists: Manatee school board selects superintendent finalists

Community members will be able to meet the three finalists and submit feedback.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota County's planned shuttle service between downtown and SRQ would utilize trolley-like vehicles every 20 to 30 minutes.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 29, 2023
County plans trolley service between SRQ and downtown Sarasota

The shuttle service would serve the growing number of visitors flying into Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and staying downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lieutenant Brandon Desch climbs a ladder as part of the first step of the search and rescue training Thursday.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 29, 2023
Longboat fire department gets refresher course on search and rescue

Firefighters practiced the correct way to conduct a search and rescue in a two-story home.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Military Academy High School teacher arrested
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 28, 2023
Sarasota Military Academy High School teacher arrested

Michelle Little, 29, is facing a felony charge of indecent, lewd or lascivious touching of a 17-year-old male student.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota city commissioners hope an impending ban on smoking on city beaches will result in far fewer beach butts. A separate ordinance will also ban smoking in city parks. (Courtesy photo)
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 28, 2023
Smoking ban in the works for Sarasota County beaches, parks

County commissioners voted 3-1 to direct staff to prepare an ordinance that is enforceable.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Protesters line up in front of the Manatee County Administration Building on Tuesday before the commission meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2023
Manatee commissioners shift stance on library control

Friends of the Lakewood Ranch Library are cautiously optimistic that commissioners will trust the librarians and the current advisory committee to do their jobs.

  • East County
  • News
Earth-moving equipment is on site at Turtle Beach as more than 92,000 cubic yards of sand will be delivered to make repairs to the storm-damaged beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2023
South Siesta beach repair may slow traffic to a turtle's pace

Repair work on Turtle Beach will bring upwards of 120 dump trucks to Siesta Key per day.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Assistant City Engineer and avid bicyclist Dan Ohrenstein rides the Ringling Trail on his commute. He was a co-leader on the complete street project team.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2023
Ringling Trail wins statewide honor

American Public Works Association Florida Chapter named the multi-modal conversion of Ringling Boulevard project of the year.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Mary Davis Wallace, who is the lead for the Sarasota Public Art Plan, at Garden Sculpture on the lawn at city hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 27, 2023
Mary Davis Wallace talks about her proposed Public Art Plan for the city

Sarasota's public art lead and city planner spent 18 months creating the guiding document that will be unveiled in a workshop on May 3.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town is hopeful power lines and poles will be removed ahead of peak hurricane season.
    By
  • Lauren Tronstad
  • April 27, 2023
Power lines targeted for removal before peak hurricane season

The town of Longboat Key hopes poles and power lines can be removed by August to avoid hurricane damages.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
At-large Commissioner George Kruse
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 27, 2023
Manatee's move to hire another interim administrator goes awry

Jon Mast, the head of the Manatee-Sarasota Building Industry Association, withdraws from consideration.

  • East County
  • News
The Public Art Committee has narrowed to three its choices for sculpture in the roundabout at Fruitville Road and U.S. 41. The concepts will be further developed before recommendations are presented to the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 26, 2023
Artists make final pitch for Fruitville Road roundabout sculpture

The Public Art Committee will decide on which sculpture design to recommend for City Commission approval on May 3.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial rendering of Premier Park's upcoming racket and aquatic center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 26, 2023
$39M aquatics/racket sports complex advances in Manatee County

Commissioners gave approval to the Premier Park project that will feature a 50-meter competition pool.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
The Silverwings Choir, a Lakewood Ranch club of 40 members, gather at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall every Saturday and sing in Mandarin.
  • March 25, 2026
Silverwings Choir combines Chinese culture and music
2
Ellenton's Rennee Lux, who will serve as the director for KLA Schools of Lakewood Ranch, is eager to welcome children and families into the new space.
  • March 25, 2026
KLA Schools prepares to open new early learning center in Lakewood Ranch
3
The Sarasota Ballet will perform George Balanchine's "Stars and Stripes" in its "Life and Liberty" program March 27-28.
  • March 25, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages star-spangled extravaganza for America's 250th birthday
4
Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key
5
Hank Lebioda shot 17 under par to finish third at the 2025 LECOM Suncoast Classic.
  • March 25, 2026
LECOM Suncoast Classic found an above-par home in Lakewood Ranch

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