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News

About 14,000 of raw wastewater spilled into Sarasota Bay at Ringling Causeway Park.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2026
City sewage spills into Sarasota Bay

Sarasota reports 14,000 gallons escaped from a broken component in Ringling Causeway Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Susan Phillips retired in 2025 from her role as the town manager's assistant.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 3, 2026
Phillips named chair of Longboat Key Foundation

The organization's founder, Jim Brown, announces retirement from the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
Brian Taylor, who works as executive vice president for Perform[cb], has been working from CoworkLWR since 2021 in order to have a separation between work and home life. He enjoys the opportunities to network with fellow remote workers at the new location.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • March 3, 2026
CoworkLWR moves to a new, larger Lakewood Ranch location

Keith Pandeloglou's business had spent the past 10 years on Lakewood Main Street.

  • East County
  • Business
By avoiding littering, driving slow and keeping a safe distance from manatees, humans can help the threatened species stick around.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 3, 2026
Manatees travel to manmade, natural water bodies during cold snaps

Manatees that call Sarasota Bay home head north to Apollo Beach during cold weather, using the warm waters discharged from the TECO Power Plant to keep warm.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
With scissors in one hand and a whip in the other, Commissioner Carol Felts cuts the ribbon on a historical marker for The Florida Cracker Trail Feb. 13 at Manatee Village Historical Park.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 3, 2026
Manatee County mourns the death of its 'feisty' commissioner

Carol Ann Felts, a citizen activist who scored a stunning political victory in 2024, died Feb. 24.

  • East County
  • News
A car carrier sits in the median of Gulf of Mexico Drive Tuesday, Oct. 14. Many seasonal residents fly down and have their cars shipped on carriers to Longboat Key, and the return of the car transporters has become known as one of the first signs of the more busy winter season.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 2, 2026
Car carrier drop-off enforcement discussed

A fatal accident brought about a change to regulations surrounding car carrier drop-offs, but cars continue to be dropped off on Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Rev. Phil Woods stands in the newly renovated 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 2, 2026
Lakewood Ranch church wraps up $7.7 million expansion

Cornerstone Church of Lakewood Ranch now worships in an artful 10,000-square-foot sanctuary.

  • East County
  • News
Little Buoy wasted no time dragging herself into the Gulf Thursday, Feb. 26 after being rehabilitated at Mote Marine Laboratory’s City Island research facility.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 2, 2026
Rehabbed turtles released into Gulf

Little Buoy and Spud, a leatherback and green sea turtle, were rehabilitated by Mote Marine Laboratory and sent back into the Gulf on Thursday.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 27, 2026
Woman, two children identified in Lakewood Ranch death investigation

Manatee County deputies were called to a residence on Friday night.

  • East County
  • News
Whitaker Gateway Park is among the restoration projects paused during the partial federal government shutdown.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 28, 2026
Federal shutdown forces pause in park recovery projects

Sarasota city staff suspends work to restore hurricane-damaged waterfront parks in order to remain eligible for federal reimbursement in the wake of the partial shutdown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Karie Friling speaks with Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch and Argus Foundation CEO Christine Robinson during a Feb. 23 open house event to meet the city manager finalists.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 27, 2026
Sarasota selects next city manager

The Sarasota City Commission voted unanimously to hire Karie Friling of the Chicago area as the city's first female city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The pig on the loose was found by Sarasota Police officers around 1:30 a.m. Friday around Central and Lemon avenues.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • February 27, 2026
Swine discovery has Sarasota officers seeking pig's owner

A 100-pound porker was taken to Sarasota County Animal Services.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Paradise owner Marcus Walfridson says he expects his team to be competitive immediately in USL League One because "we don't do this to lose games."
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • February 27, 2026
Will pro soccer find paradise in Lakewood Ranch?

Owner Marcus Walfridson says a pro soccer team is just what the region needs to bring everyone together.

  • East County
  • News
Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • February 26, 2026
Late-night cookie chain opens its first store in Sarasota

Insomnia Cookies is now open at 2264 Gulf Gate Drive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Residents and community members listen to opening remarks by the finalist candidates for Sarasota city manager.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2026
Sarasota wraps up two-day city manager interview process

Five finalists for the job of Sarasota city manager undertook an intense 48 hours of education and scrutiny as the City Commission hones in on hiring its next chief executive.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Fourth grader Ava O'Mahoney of 4-H and her mother Megan O'Mahoney spend time with Clover.
  • March 15, 2026
Kids showcase agricultural skills amid carnival fun at Sarasota County Fair
2
Chamber youth leadership program accepting applicaitons
  • March 15, 2026
Chamber youth leadership program accepting applicaitons
3
Speed tables have been installed ahead of pedestrian crosswalks at St. Armands Circle, a popular shopping and dining destination on the barrier islands across the Ringling Causeway Bridge.
  • March 15, 2026
St. Armands Circle gets pedestrian safety improvements
4
Sarasota boys basketball coach BJ Ivey embraces Johnny Lackaff. The junior guard had a game-high 27 points March 14 in the FHSAA Class 7A state championship, but it wasn't enough for the Sailors.
  • March 14, 2026
Sarasota boys basketball falls by 3 in state championship
5
Longboat Key firefighters were set up outside of Publix from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 7 and Sunday, March 8 collecting money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
  • March 14, 2026
Island firefighters raise $3,600 for muscular dystrophy

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