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News

Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 17, 2025
Airport fire department upgrades emergency medical services

The Sarasota Manatee Airport Authority Fire Department now offers enhanced medical emergency treatment

  • Sarasota
  • News
Valeria Torres, Brian Guzman-Orozco, Yesica Mojena and Angelinna Lopez Ferrales practice letter sounds with Deb Petti.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 17, 2025
Classrooms are the highest priority as school district prepares 2025-26 budget

At a time when the Sarasota school district is facing financial difficulties, its CFO said the focus will be on the learning experience.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Grace Community Church is expanding its Lakewood Ranch campus to include a student center.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 17, 2025
Lakewood Ranch megachurch still growing

Grace Community Church bought a new building for its staff and is constructing an overflow parking lot and student center.

  • East County
  • News
Breeze OnDemand operates in three zones of Sarasota County much like private ride-sharing services and delivers riders door to door, though not necessarily solo or non-stop.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2025
Breeze OnDemand reports to riders it's back to capacity

A segment of the ride system's minivans had been sidelined by a recall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall with the backdrop of the setting sun.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2025
City committee ties a bow on its two-year mission

Sarasota's Purple Ribbon Committee adjourns after 28 meetings in 24 months as it prepares to deliver its Van Wezel repurposing recommendations to the City Commission.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the boardwalk and public access of the proposed MarineMax post-storm renovations.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2025
City sinks MarineMax lease extension proposal

Rather than granting a 25-year extension beginning 2037, the Sarasota City Commission instructs staff to reopen the lease with MarineMax for the storm-damaged marina on City Island based on an updated fair market appraisal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This vacation rental home at 460 N. Washington Drive on St. Armands Key was the site of two unauthorized flash parties in recent weeks.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 16, 2025
Vacant vacation houses targeted for unauthorized use

Vacation rentals on St. Armands and Lido Keys have been recently used for three impromptu house parties and one illegal occupation; owners are advised to secure and monitor their properties.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The boathouse and events center planned for Nathan Benderson Park is expected to cost between $60 million and $70 million.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 16, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park boathouse, events center begins to take shape

Nathan Benderson Conservancy board member says 2026 will be an important fundraising year for the $60 million to $70 million project.

  • East County
  • News
Shelter staff welcome visitors at Southside Elementary during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 16, 2025
Converting schools into storm shelters is a carefully orchestrated operation

The Sarasota school district partners with the county to open the area's schools as hurricane shelters.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 16, 2025
Manatee receives threat of litigation over increased impact fees

Freedom Housing Alliance Inc. maintains the impact fee increase violates state statute.

  • East County
  • News
The Sutton family hand feeds the cownose rays at the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort's Under the Sea Lagoon.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 16, 2025
Longboat Key St. Regis closes in on first anniversary

Luxury resort makes an impact on Longboat Key and beyond.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A panther kitten peeks out from its den.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
Manatee County wildlife corridor faces funding challenges

Over 18 million acres are listed to eventually be part of the state's wildlife corridor.

  • East County
  • News
Students receive a meal in a school dining area.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 15, 2025
How Sarasota’s school district feeds thousands of students each day

Director of Food and Nutrition Services Sara Dan describes how Sarasota County Schools provides meals to a district that includes around 45,000 students — and ensures kids enjoy the product.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Daniel Bradshaw, the principal of Parrish Community High School, and Carol Ricks, the principal of Myakka City Elementary School, man the registration desk at Myakka City Elementary as it serves as a shelter during Hurricane Milton.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2025
What does it take to use Manatee schools as hurricane shelters?

In the midst of a severe storm, no one is turned away from the Manatee County schools that serve as shelters.

  • East County
  • Schools
Longboat Key's first grants coordinator, Kalee Shaberts, started hunting for possible grants on July 17, 2023.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 15, 2025
Longboat grant coordinator focuses on relationship-building, organization

Two years into her new-to-the-town role, Shaberts' job zooms in on funding that isn't tax based.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Santa (Steven Trudell of St. Petersburg) gets the runners fired up just before the start of the 2025 Jingle 5K Dec. 12 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • December 13, 2025
More than 500 runners go the distance in Lakewood Ranch's Jingle 5K
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Longboat Key Police Deputy Chief Frank Rubino (left) accepts a framed display of medals, patches and pins that demonstrate his 45-year career in law enforcement.
  • December 13, 2025
Longboat deputy chief with 45 years of experience to retire
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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.
  • December 12, 2025
Lakewood Ranch High revives its science fair

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