• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

News

A rendering of a renovated and expanded former Perkins restaurant into Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy for the homebuilding industry.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 18, 2026
Homebuilder groups team up for apprenticeship school

A collaborative effort is launched to convert a former restaurant space into the Suncoast Apprenticeship Academy to address shortage in trades professionals.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The estate at 6610 Gulf of Mexico Drive provides access to Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 18, 2026
Longboat Key estate, designed by prominent architect, listed for $22M

Designed by architect Carl Abbott, the Manatee County property spans nearly 5 acres.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Aurora Pena and Theo Light, second graders at Tara Elementary School, appreciate the new and improved classrooms and cafeteria.They are also looking forward to using the new field and playground when they are complete.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 18, 2026
Final month of $31.4 million renovation at Tara Elementary

The project began in June 2023 and has included increased security, technology and flexibility of space.

  • East County
  • Schools
Boat lifts flank each side of the canal in a Country Club Shores neighborhood. The town of Longboat Key is preparing to enact a continuous canal maintenance program that would include flat fees and ad-valorem assessments for residents.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 18, 2026
The ins and outs of Longboat's proposed canal maintenance program

Longboat Key's canals have not been dredged since 2003. Town leaders say it's past time and have a new proposal for how to pay for the program.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
New College was founded in 1960.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • February 18, 2026
Potential New College takeover of USF Sarasota-Manatee campus looms

A local group is fighting back against the move, with a former USF Sarasota-Manatee top official saying this would sacrifice one public school for another's dreams.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Officer Dallas Troyer will soon perform marine patrols on a Sea-Doo GTX 170, the newest piece of LKPD equipment secured through West Coast Inland Navigation District grant funds.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 18, 2026
Police department utilizes grants to expand equipment and capabilities

West Coast Inland Navigation District grant funds have been acquired and spent by the police department, adding a personal watercraft and emergency response trailer to the department's equipment portfolio.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee County Board of County Commissioners wants to reduce the millage again in 2027, but is facing the uncertainty of whether or not the state will eliminate property taxes for homeowners.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 18, 2026
Manatee County seeks public input on 2027 budget

Commissioners want to cut the millage, and the state wants to cut property taxes. So what can residents live without?

  • East County
  • News
Investigators in 1999 linked the burned-out van found near the intersection of Myrtle Street and North Orange Avenue in Sarasota to homicide victim Esco Hunter Jr.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 17, 2026
Sarasota man arrested on 1999 cold-case homicide

A burning van was found to belong to a man found dead a day later.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Traffic resumes normal flow after Sarasota crash
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 17, 2026
Traffic resumes normal flow after Sarasota crash

Southbound lanes are closed at Floyd Street, police say.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the interior of Payne Park Auditorium with seating in the round.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 17, 2026
Payne Park Auditorium renovations set to begin soon

Now leased by a refocused Sarasota Players, work on Payne Park Auditorium will begin soon with plans to bring the nearly century-old troupe back to downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rangeland High School, previously referred to as AAA High School, is being built near Premiere Sports Campus in Lakewood Ranch and is set to open to freshmen and sophomores in August 2027.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • February 17, 2026
Manatee school district seeks feedback on new LWR high school's name

Currently named AAA High School, the new school broke ground at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 21.

  • East County
  • Schools
Gazebo at the Joan Durante Park, Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 17, 2026
Quick Point repairs wrap up while Durante gazebo fix gets underway

Joan M. Durante Park, Quick Point Nature Preserve and Bayfront Park on Longboat Key will all see changes in the coming months, varying from slight at Bayfront to substantial at Quick Point.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The town of Longboat Key is looking into potential impacts from a changed flight path from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport that took effect in 2024.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 17, 2026
Town plans to hold public meetings to address flight path impacts over Longboat

With a record number of passengers at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport in recent years, noise, residue and pollution are all concerns of Longboat Key residents.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Amenities at  Emerson Lakes will include a fitness center, swimming pool, dog park, walking trails and multiple on-campus dining options.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • February 17, 2026
A new community provides a place to age in place

An in-demand national senior living developer — it rejects more sites than it buys — is all in on building a large community in the heart of Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Anthony Sciullo is Manatee County's newest planning commissioner. He was appointed to the role Feb. 12.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2026
County commissioners question if Manatee Planning Commission needs rehaul

Complaints are rising about poor attendance and members pushing their agenda.

  • East County
  • News
« 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

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

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free