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News

To make way for an expansion of the County Jail, Sarasota County must move the Criminal Justice Center from location 1, and has requested the city engage in negotiations regarding its parking lot at location 2 with an option to place it at location 3.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 21, 2025
Sarasota city, county to discuss possible Ringling Boulevard land deal

Sarasota County has asked the city for possible use of a parking lot on Ringling Boulevard as a new site of its Criminal Justice Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents gather sandbags on Longboat Key before Hurricane Ian.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 21, 2025
Next sandbag filling on Longboat Key is Sept. 4

The next opportunity to fill sandbags is scheduled for 8-11 a.m. Sept. 4 at the Broadway Beach Access, 100 Broadway St.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A roundabout will replace the signalized intersection on University Parkway where Legacy Boulevard meets Deer Drive.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Roundabout moves forward on University Parkway at Legacy Boulevard

Residents fought for an upgraded signalized intersection, but Manatee County commissioners decided to stick to the current plan for a roundabout.

  • East County
  • News
Purple Ribbon Committee Chairman Charles Cosler presents the committee's report to the Sarasota City Commission while facilitator Jim Shirley (left) looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Task force advises Sarasota to keep Van Wezel running optimally

With no arts group stepping up to assume operating the Van Wezel, the Purple Ribbon Committee recommends making it last five to seven years should a replacement be built.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sheriff Rick Wells holds a press conference Aug. 19 at the District 3 Manatee County Sheriff's Office.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Sheriff says no foul play in North Carolina teen's death

Camera footage shows Giovanni Pelletier alone, running down the embankment toward the pond where his body was found.

  • East County
  • News
The golf course at Longboat Key Club, which is accessible by membership or stay at the resort, has 45 holes to play.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal, Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Longboat golfers' only public option is to hit a long drive

For the nonmembers, golfers from Longboat Key have to venture to the mainland to play at Bobby Jones Golf Club in Sarasota.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The two finalists for the superintendent position are Misty Mathis, the executive director of curriculum and instruction for the Nassau County School District, and Laurie Breslin, the executive director of student support and family engagement for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 20, 2025
Superintendent finalists share their goals for Manatee County School District

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis spent Aug. 18 being interviewed by the school board and meeting with community members.

  • East County
  • Schools
Bradenton's Steve Doll takes his best shot on Hole 17 at River Run Golf Links, one of the few affordable golf opportunities in Manatee County.
    By
  • Jay Heater, Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Is affordable golf in the Lakewood Ranch area a myth?

Some local opportunities still exist, but the future of affordable golf in East County is cloudy at best.

  • East County
  • News
This map shows where the homes would be clustered in relationship to the Miakka Golf Club, along with the access points to both.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 20, 2025
Some Myakka residents fear TerraNova rezone will set bad development precedent

TerraNova is requesting to lower the minimum lot sizes it is selling from 5 acres to 1 acre.

  • East County
  • News
Interim Sarasota City Manager Dave Bullock looks on during his first City Commission meeting on July 7.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 20, 2025
Sarasota city manager search firms make their pitch

With executive search firms narrowed to three, Sarasota has received their proposals to supply candidates for city manager. A special commission meeting is proposed to discuss.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key town manager Howard “Tip” Tipton poses for a photo in his office at town hall Monday, Aug. 18. Tipton spoke to the Longboat Observer about the proposed 2026 fiscal year budget which adds three staff positions to the payroll.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 20, 2025
Three new Longboat Key staff positions budgeted in 2026, others not

The Town Commission will vote on the 2026 fiscal year budget at two meetings in September which includes a 6.5% staff pay increase and is described by Town Manager Howard Tipton as a "storm-weary budget."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Police Department recently put up digital signs reminding motorists crossing Ringling Bridge to slow down.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 20, 2025
Police crack down on speeding near Ringling Bridge

Sarasota Police Department said it has received several complaints of people going too fast across the bridge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commission Chair George Kruse (center) directs staff on Aug. 19 to cancel the Aug. 21 land use meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 19, 2025
Manatee County wetlands vote postponed

Commission Chair George Kruse canceled the Aug. 21 commission meeting.

  • East County
  • News
The busy intersection at Bay Isles Parkway and Gulf of Mexico Drive came in at number two on the list of the five most hazardous intersections, tracking back to July 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 19, 2025
Most Longboat Key fender benders happen at these 5 intersections

Police say the department's emphasis on being visible along Gulf of Mexico Drive helps calm traffic and keep drivers and pedestrians safe.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 19, 2025
Sarasota man arrested on child pornography charges

Following months of investigation by the Sarasota Police Department, Colton Berman, 29, faces 13 counts of possession of child pornography.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Nicholas Savarese, a teacher who has a background in chemical engineering, judges junior Lillian Pevzner-Downer's project on the comparison of conventionally grown crops with chemicals and pesticides versus organically grown crops at the Lakewood Ranch High School Science Fair.
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The building at the corner of N. Boulevard of the Presidents and Madison Drive may be the location of a revived Shore Restaurant on St. Armands Circle.
  • December 12, 2025
Shore Restaurant could return to St. Armands

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