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News

Gordon Folkes (on the left) explains how the drone works to members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in August 2024.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 7, 2025
Manatee County EMS drone expands coverage area

The Lakewood Ranch coverage area expanded from serving about 5,000 residents to about 42,000.

  • East County
  • News
Ryan Gandy has lived in Sarasota for 21 years, but started with the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program in 2024. This November, he will take over as the new executive director of the program.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 6, 2025
Sarasota native picked to lead Sarasota Bay Estuary Program

Ryan Gandy describes Sarasota Bay as a unique habitat that's a "well-respected jewel" more accurately described as a coastal lagoon, not a bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A rendering of Adagio as viewed from the northeast.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 6, 2025
Adagio condo project remains on hold with review committee

The 172-unit mixed-use development needs to come back to Sarasota's to Development Review Committee for a fourth submission and is advised to hold a voluntary community meeting.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city of Sarasota's Neighborhood Canopy Program provides 10- to 14-foot trees installed in front yards for $100 each.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 6, 2025
Urban tree canopy program finishes for 2025

The Sarasota Neighborhood Canopy Program that provides installed trees for $100 each has concluded for 2025 with plans to return next summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tingley Library on Bradenton Beach may be used as a short-term solution for the lack of community meeting space on the north end of Longboat Key, according to county commissioner Tal Siddique.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 5, 2025
North-end Longboat community center remains in the works

As property deals have fallen through, Manatee County has begun to look at short-term solutions off the island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 5, 2025
900 traffic stops conducted in grant-funded roadway safety effort

A Sarasota Police Department traffic safety operation funded by a state grant resulted in nearly 900 traffic stops covering 1,100 violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of Seventh & Central Condominiums fronting Seventh Street at the corner of Cohen Way.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 4, 2025
Seven-story, 24-unit condo proposed for Rosemary District

Plans for a seven-story, 24-unit residential building at Seventh Street and Cohen Way include replacing an existing multifamily building with a public park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
As members of VFW Post 12055, Post Commander Dave Daily and retired U.S. Army Col. Gill Ruderman meet once a month with post members at Wolveshead Pizza and Wings.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 3, 2025
Is veterans park a sugar pill being fed to taxpayers?

Manatee County wants the planned Palmetto veterans memorial park and connections hub to serve the region, but local VFW members say it's too far out of the way.

  • East County
  • News
Visit Sarasota County reports a continuing downward trend in 2025 tourism data.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 3, 2025
Tourism continues downward trend in Sarasota County

Visit Sarasota County reports lodging prices were up but overall visitors and spending were down in July compared to 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Osprey man arrested in drugs investigation
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 2, 2025
Osprey man arrested in drugs investigation

Sarasota Sheriff's Office employed multiple units in serving search warrant.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dickey Betts, who died in 2024, was named by Rolling Stone as one of the 100 best rock guitarists of all time.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 2, 2025
Rock pioneer Dickey Betts could be memorialized on Sarasota highway

The longtime Sarasota County resident would join a wide and varied list of luminaries honored in Sarasota County by Florida since 1932.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Some blocks along Main Street, such as the 1800 block, already include a mix of angle and parallel parking.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 2, 2025
Main Street vision pits walkability against parking

The Sarasota City Commission advances the Main Street Complete Street project to the design phase with an eye toward debate over pedestrian enhancement.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Signs on Longboat Key's public beaches caution swimmers about the dangers of rip tides.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 1, 2025
How to spot and escape Gulf rip currents

On beaches with no lifeguards, like Longboat Key, knowing what to look for and how to escape a rip current might just save a life.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman speaks at the Sept. 23 Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce State of the Community luncheon.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 1, 2025
Sheriff: Law enforcement is expensive but worth the price

Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman tells the Chamber of Commerce its $221 million budget is reducing crime and among the lowest cost per capita in the region.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sharon Hillstrom, president and CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corporation, asks commissioners to extend the contract through December, but commissioners opt to let it expire Sept. 30.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 1, 2025
Manatee cuts funds to EDC, Longboat impacts likely limited

The Bradenton Area EDC is jointly funded by public investments and private donors, according to its annual report, which shows $1.1 million in revenue in 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Crew's championship-winning Women's U16 Eight boat races past opponents at Nathan Benderson Park in June 2025. The USRowing Youth National Championships are one of the biggest events on the local sports calendar for 2026.
  • March 20, 2026
Watersports events line up at Benderson Park in April
2
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
3
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
4
Dolores M. Stevens (2025)
  • March 19, 2026
Dolores M. Stevens
5
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

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