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News

In a vote of 4-3, Manatee County commissioners opt not to renew the county's contract with the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 19, 2025
County ends funding of Manatee EDC

Other public and private sources still exist, but commissioners question the value of their contribution.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Fire Department has deployed the Butterfly iQ3 ultrasound system to provide paramedics with real-time internal imaging.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 19, 2025
New internal imaging system in use by Sarasota County EMS

The Sarasota County Fire Department's new life-saving tool delivers internal imaging to paramedics on the scene.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager spoke at the Rotary Club of Longboat Key's monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 16, where he shared his background in Delray Beach, his wife's connection to the Gulf Coast and his priorities for the department as he establishes himself in the new role.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 18, 2025
Longboat police chief stresses community visibility

Visibility, transparency and collaboration have been priorities for the department as Chief Russ Mager gets accustomed to leading the Longboat Key Police Department.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of Adagio as viewed from the northeast.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 18, 2025
Sarasota 18-story condo project inches closer to reality

A handful of outstanding issues plus an administrative adjustment need to be taken care of before a Development Review Committee resubmittal for the 18-story Adagio.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Laurel Park resident Kelly Franklin points to plans for Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 development while addressing the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 18, 2025
Resident denied aggrieved person status for Selby Gardens plan appeal

The Sarasota City Commission votes 4-1 to deny Laurel Park resident Kelly Franklin aggrieved party status in her attempt to appeal the Planning Board approval of Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The location of the proposed 575 North Washington live-work townhomes.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 18, 2025
Live-work townhomes proposed for North Washington Boulevard

Eight townhomes with individual commercial space on the ground floor planned for a live-work infill project on North Washington Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Emergency Operations Center call center works in "pods," each team working on a certain aspect such as fire dispatch, law dispatch and call taking.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 17, 2025
911 callers in Sarasota will soon receive surveys

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office rolls out new feedback tool that will reconnect with callers to both emergency and non-emergency lines.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Employees will mainly be working out of cubicles, but the administration building has several collaborative meeting spaces of all sizes.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 17, 2025
Manatee County starts shift of some administration services to Lakewood Ranch

Director of Property Management Cary Knight provides a first look inside the new administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key police Sgt. Adam Montfort speaks with bikers pulled over on Gulf of Mexico Drive Friday, Sept. 12 while the department was performing “high visibility enforcement.”
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 17, 2025
Police presence increases on Longboat for pedestrian safety initiative

The Longboat Key Police Department uses FDOT grant money to have three to four more officers patrolling during its "high visibility enforcement" initiative to educate first, enforce second.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Director of Finance Kelly Strickland talks fiscal year 2026 budget with the Sarasota City Commission as Budget Manager Tyler Harris looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 17, 2025
Sarasota approves budget for fiscal year 2026 with millage increase

The Sarasota City Commission has given final approval of the $303 million fiscal year 2026 spending plan that includes money earmarked to rebuild fund balance.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The damage to Bayfront Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.15 million.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 16, 2025
Sarasota signs contractor for hurricane-related paving repairs

The Sarasota City Commission approves a $7.5 million agreement with Ajax Paving Industries for recovery work related to the 2024 hurricanes.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Kratom products are displayed in a case at Wild Smoke Shop off of State Road 64. Kratom can be bought in a variety of forms from powders to drinks.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 16, 2025
Manatee County debates banning kratom and other designer drugs

Commissioners are undecided, but the sheriff and state attorney are in support of regulations.

  • East County
  • News
A street sign marking the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive owned by the town will remain for now as discussions on whether to rename the main thoroughfare are underway
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 16, 2025
Longboat Parkway was almost the Key's main road name

It wasn't always Gulf of Mexico Drive. Town Council minutes from 1957 show the name Longboat Parkway scribbled out by hand, with Gulf of Mexico Drive scrawled above.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 15, 2025
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence

A 14-year-old allegedly posted on Snapchat stating he was going to shoot people at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
2
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall
3
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program
4
Braden River boys basketball has clinched its first 20-win season since 2011-12, and won eight games in a row to close out the regular season.
  • February 4, 2026
Braden River High boys basketball team turns the tides with teamwork
5
Danny Bernardy demonstrates research with a theatrical flair to Greg Ball in Florida Studio Theatre's "The Blue-Sky Boys."
  • February 4, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre shoots for the moon with 'The Blue-Sky Boys'

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