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News

Kratom products are displayed in a case at Wild Smoke Shop off of State Road 64. Kratom can be bought in a variety of forms from powders to drinks.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 16, 2025
Manatee County debates banning kratom and other designer drugs

Commissioners are undecided, but the sheriff and state attorney are in support of regulations.

  • East County
  • News
A street sign marking the 6000 block of Gulf of Mexico Drive owned by the town will remain for now as discussions on whether to rename the main thoroughfare are underway
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 16, 2025
Longboat Parkway was almost the Key's main road name

It wasn't always Gulf of Mexico Drive. Town Council minutes from 1957 show the name Longboat Parkway scribbled out by hand, with Gulf of Mexico Drive scrawled above.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • September 15, 2025
Braden River High student arrested for social media threats of gun violence

A 14-year-old allegedly posted on Snapchat stating he was going to shoot people at Braden River High School.

  • East County
  • News
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium is opening its SEA site in early October.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 15, 2025
New Mote SEA facility will open in early October

Members get first views on Oct. 6-7 and public on Oct. 8 at its aquarium located near University and I-75 in Sarasota County.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota couple arrested on child neglect charges
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2025
Sarasota couple arrested on child neglect charges

Found day drinking outside and testing positive for narcotics, SPD and state investigators arrest couple after finding a child locked in a room.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A proposal that could eliminate property taxes in the state of Florida, would damage the funding of Longboat Key police and fire departments.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 15, 2025
Mayor says Longboat Key will suffer without property taxes

DeSantis has spoken on the possibility of eliminating property taxes altogether. But local leaders worry about how they would pay for police and fire without their largest revenue stream.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The damage to Whitaker Gateway Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.5 million.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 15, 2025
Sarasota launches park recovery update website

Sarasota's new website allows residents to track the progress of storm damage repairs at 14 coastal parks and assets.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Columbia Restaurant’s fourth-generation owner Casey Gonzmart Sr., believes that passion and fun are essential in running a restaurant empire.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • September 14, 2025
Family legacy at Columbia Restaurant carries to next generation

Casey Gonzmart Sr. is passing the torch to family members as he steps down as chairman of the board of the 1905 Family of Restaurants.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lakewood Ranch search turns up no armed person
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • September 13, 2025
Lakewood Ranch search turns up no armed person

A suspicious person report south of University Parkway prompts deputy response.

  • East County
  • News
Lido Key is among the highest trending fall vacation rental in the country, according to vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 13, 2025
Lido Key ranks among top trending fall vacation destinations

With online searches more the tripling the year prior, vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo rates the Sarasota barrier island sixth in trending growth.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Commissioner Jason Bearden wants money released from Manatee County's reserves that are nearing $1 billion.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • September 13, 2025
Manatee County moves to cut millage rate as reserves rise

Following three hurricanes in 2024, Manatee County has nearly $1 billion set aside for reserves in fiscal year 2026.

  • East County
  • News
Wilkinson Elementary operates at about 50% capacity, prompting school officials to consider closing it and sending students to three other under-capacity schools.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 13, 2025
Wilkinson Elementary closure part of broader plan, Sarasota superintendent says

By November, the Sarasota School Board could decide on closing the school and moving central office there.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Jim Whitman performs at the 2022 Kiwanis Lawn Party. The 20-year Longboat Key resident who often shared his musical talents on the Key died Sunday.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • September 13, 2025
Jim Whitman's death leaves Longboat community void of song

“Dr. Jim” was a longtime presence on Longboat Key known for his community involvement and on-pitch vocals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Nearly 300 grams of cocaine, or about 10.5 ounces, was seized from a home in Sarasota, authorities said.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • September 12, 2025
Manatee, Sarasota agents make cocaine-trafficking arrest

Raids at locations in Manatee and Sarasota counties resulted in seized cocaine and the arrest of a Bradenton man.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight was the lone dissenting vote in first vote approval of the county's fiscal year 2026 budget.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • September 12, 2025
Sarasota County budget first vote approval falls short of unanimous

Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight voted against approval of the fiscal year 2026 budget over capital spending objections.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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