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News

Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key was left covered in sand after storm surge from Hurricane Helene swept the road.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 9, 2026
City to repair damaged streetlights on Lido Key

The Sarasota City Commission authorized a local agency agreement with FDOT to repair lighting on John Ringling Boulevard and Benjamin Franklin Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee teen charged in Sarasota homicide
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 8, 2026
Manatee teen charged in Sarasota homicide

An 18-year-old man was found bleeding near downtown around 12:30 a.m. July 7.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Done with the Gun program will take place Saturday, July 11 at Sarasota Police Department headquarters.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 8, 2026
Bring unwanted guns to Sarasota Police on Saturday

Done with the Gun program will destroy weapons dropped off to keep them from returning to circulation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Shane Lamay was reappointed to the Sarasota Planning Board.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 8, 2026
Planning Board member reappointed, another named to fill vacant seat

The Sarasota City Commission reappointed Planning Board member Shane Lamay to a second three-year term. He was joined by new member Tiffany Nisbet.

  • Sarasota
  • News
FoodTrukt, a new app, aims to bring together food truck owners and customers through making locations, schedules and menus more accessible.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 8, 2026
Find nearby food trucks with new app

Sarasota-Manatee food truck owners can post their precise locations, menus, specials and more on FoodTrukt.

  • East County
  • Business
The Manatee County Property Appraiser is located at 915 4th Ave. W. in downtown Bradenton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 8, 2026
How your home is appraised in Manatee County

The process of appraising approximately 236,000 parcels takes a staff of 65 and a year-round effort.

  • East County
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel arch on a private groin, leading to a lengthy dispute with the town of Longboat Key, with leaders claiming it violates the town’s sign code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 8, 2026
St. Regis lawyers respond to Longboat arched sign lawsuit

A trial date has been set for January 2028.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Little League serves boys and girls 4-16 years of age at Twin Lakes Park on Clark Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 7, 2026
Sarasota Little League treasurer sentenced to 1 year, restitution

A 35-year-old woman was ordered to make lump sum payment then monthly payments totaling $176,000.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A joint workshop is held at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall June 30 with Commissioner Bob McCann and CDD board members.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 7, 2026
Manatee commissioner tells LWR CDDs he has seen the county waste funds

Commissioner Bob McCann said too many overpriced directors are being employed by Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
The primary election in Florida will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 7, 2026
Registration deadline for August primary is July 20

Because Florida is a closed-primary state, voters may only vote for candidates in the party they are registered with in partisan races.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Le Gardenia Bleu's John and Lita Brannan showcase their ornament tree filled with Florida's iconic flamingos and more at the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 6, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu closes on Longboat Key

The well-known flower and gift shop on Longboat Key said it made the decision to close "with a heavy heart."

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
A conceptual rendering of the proposed clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 6, 2026
Bobby Jones clubhouse granted partial sign-off

The pared-down clubhouse lost its second story and wraparound veranda view.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination

Criminal defense attorney Leland Taylor, who is running for a Manatee County Commission seat, was born and raised in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment

There have been 30 applications received by the town of Longboat Key to put existing houses on stilts for storm protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
State Rep. James Buchanan was one of the driving forces behind a one-year accommodation in a state tax bill that requires either county governments to cover any fees associated with collecting voter-approved school taxes or to waive those fees.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2026
Buchanan proposal on school-tax fees now law

At issue is a 2% fee charged by Moran’s office on revenue generated by an additional 1-mill school tax approved and renewed several times by Sarasota County voters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 »
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Latest News

1
Brookside Middle School sign with updated social media handles to @GulfCoastAcademySCS.
  • July 16, 2026
Future plans for Sarasota County schools are underway
2
This past season was Jordan Guerrero's first as the Out-of-Door Academy baseball coach. Guerrero, who pitched in the San Diego Padres organization from 2015-23, guided the Thunder to an 8-12 record.
  • July 16, 2026
Retired pros bring unique experience to high school coaching
3
Teacher Erin Foss reads at a table that includes second grader Landry Shorb, Alison Rini visits and third grader Adonis Harris at Star Lab.
  • July 16, 2026
Microschools reach Sarasota as they grow throughout the state of Florida
4
Administrators and teachers say reading to students in the summer is important so they don't fall backward.
  • July 16, 2026
Administrators, teachers offer tips on navigating the world of testing
5
  • July 16, 2026
Are you smarter than a fifth grader?

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