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News

Fruitville Road crash scene cleared
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 24, 2026
Fruitville Road crash scene cleared

Earlier incident involved two cars at Central Avenue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Joe Thayer, Bob Moffitt and Al Garcia play at Remy's on Main in Lakewood Ranch.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Bob Moffitt let his music do the talking

Friends say Bob Moffitt, who died at age 78, had two loves: music and family.

  • East County
  • News
Longboat Key Grants Coordinator Kalee Shaberts has helped the town secure tens of millions of dollars in grants since starting her position in 2023.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 24, 2026
Grants continue to roll in for Longboat Key

Grants are used to help ease the cost burden for high-dollar improvements like the subaqueous wastewater pipeline.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sanddy Marchena owns Kiddie Academy of Lakewood Ranch with his wife Melodie Marchena (not pictured). Michelle Frease is the academy's director.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 24, 2026
Lakewood Ranch's Waterside Place gains a Kiddie Academy

Kiddie Academy of Sarasota opens its child care and preschool business March 2.

  • East County
  • Business
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 22, 2026
Two dead in Lakewood Ranch shooting

A second person has died in what the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office described as a domestic incident.

  • East County
  • News
Firefighters break a hole in the roof of a building minutes after first responders extinguished the flames that engulfed a three-story residence devastated by what is reported as a potential electrical fire Monday, Feb. 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 23, 2026
3-alarm fire guts north-end Longboat residence

Units from Longboat Key and neighboring jurisdictions fought the fire after it was reported Monday morning. The blaze was extinguished by noon.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lobbyists for the town of Longboat Key video called in to update Longboat Key Town Commission on state and federal legislation at a workshop meeting Tuesday, Feb. 17.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 23, 2026
Longboat leaders receive updates on property tax reform

Lobbyists updated the Longboat Key Town Commission on potential property tax reform in Tallahassee and appropriations in Washington.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A body-worn camera image shows a Sarasota police officer carrying a female victim from the burning home on North Osprey Avenue.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 22, 2026
Police officers rescue two from burning home

Sarasota Police Department officers braved flames and a sparking transformer to remove two from a North Osprey Avenue house fire.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 20, 2026
Three arrested, two of them juveniles, for armed robbery of a convenience store

The Sarasota Police Department has made arrests in connection with a robbery at gunpoint on Fruitville Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County extends its burn ban until further notice to protect residents and animals from wildfires. This photo was taken by the East Manatee Fire Rescue in June 2024 when over 100 acres burned at Lake Manatee State Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 20, 2026
Manatee County extends burn ban as drought worsens

East Manatee Fire Rescue is urging residents to abide by the burn ban to protect their neighbors.

  • East County
  • News
The bar formerly known as Cock & Bull, Big Top Live and The Parrot Live will retain its "Old Florida charm," new owner Frank Giuffre says.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 20, 2026
Noted Sarasota bar property sells to investor pledging revitalization

The new owner of 975 Cattlemen Road plans to revive the Cock & Bull brand.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The school district has partnered with University of South Florida in order to create the new offerings at Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 19, 2026
Brookside Middle School undergoes transformation to attract new students

The revamped Sarasota County school aims to bring innovative fields of study to students, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Centennial celebrations at Sarasota Opera House is part of Visit Sarasota County's promotional efforts to attract visitors to the county in 2026.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2026
Visitors bureau promotes centennial legacy of Sarasota County

Visit Sarasota County will pitch global travel media and encourage locals to take part in centennial celebrations across the city and county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Dave Bullock arrived as Sarasota interim city manager in May 2025 with a folder file filled with pressing challenges.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 19, 2026
'The most dangerous man in Sarasota'

Nearing the end of his tenure as interim city manager, Dave Bullock looks back at his achievements, and forward to the future.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch High School hockey team huddles together at the Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex in December. The team could call Lakewood Ranch home if an ice rink is built at Premier Sports Campus North.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2026
First step taken for ice rink to glide into Lakewood Ranch's Premier Sports Campus

Manatee County has entered into a public-private development contract with Icemann Development Manatee LLC.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

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