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News

The School District of Manatee County proceeds with the full high school option with two academic buildings instead of one, which provides 2,000 student stations.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 18, 2025
New high school will be built in Lakewood Ranch

High School AAA is estimated to cost $200 million with the goal of opening in August 2027.

  • East County
  • Schools
Sarasota County Legislative Delegation members meet with residents during the 2023 public meeting.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 17, 2025
County delegation meeting set for Nov. 13 in Venice

The Sarasota County delegation is seeking public input prior to the 2026 Florida Legislature session.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A drawing shows the scale of the McGillicuddy Arts Plaza next to the existing Florida Studio Theater facilities.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 16, 2025
FST receives $150,000 gift for new Arts Plaza wing

The Muriel O’Neil Fund for the Performing Arts gift will support the sound and lights booth in the new mainstage theater at Florida Studio Theatre's new McGillicuddy Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Signage promotes "SSQ" coming in 2026 to the site that was formerly the Sarasota Square Mall.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • August 16, 2025
Whole Foods, Homesense planned for Sarasota Square redevelopment

The two retailers are expected to anchor a more than 500,000-square-foot mixed-use project.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation plans to resurface Washington Boulevard from U.S. 41 to 10th Street in downtown Sarasota.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 15, 2025
FDOT plans US 301 resurfacing

The Florida Department of Transportation will hold an Aug. 19 public meeting on plans to repave U.S. 301 between U.S. 41 and 10th Street in downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sandcastle Resort at Lido Beach was a 176-unit hotel on Benjamin Franklin Drive. On Wednesday, Aug. 13, demolition continued on the building which suffered extensive damage from 2024 hurricanes.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • August 15, 2025
Demolition has begun on Sandcastle Resort on Lido Key

Luxury hotel developer Opal has plans for the site but has not revealed what it will do.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County Tax Collector Mike Moran (left) talks budget with county commissioners as County Administrator Jonathan Lewis looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 14, 2025
New Sarasota County tax collector vows a balanced budget future

Vowing to eventually eliminate excess fees the office returns to the county, former County Commissioner-turned-Tax Collector Mike Moran says he needs to invest in more staff and current technology.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota School Board Chair Tim Enos to resign
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 13, 2025
Sarasota School Board Chair Tim Enos to resign

The Sarasota County School District said District 5 representative Tim Enos had announced his resignation Aug. 13.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
The 96-gallon bins were delivered and in full use by the end of September.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 13, 2025
Big trash bins cause concerns for Manatee County residents

The county is planning Community Cleanup Days to help residents dispose of larger items that won't fit in the new garbage bins.

  • East County
  • News
The rendering of Florida Studio Theatre's McGillicuddy Arts Plaza shows marquee signage granted as adjustments by the Sarasota Planning Board.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 13, 2025
Florida Studio Theatre scores a marquee victory

The Sarasota theater organization secured multiple Planning Board adjustments for its McGillicuddy Arts Plaza, including additional signage to enhance its theater district ambience.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 13, 2025
The Paradise Center closes Aug. 22 for move

The Longboat Key community center is preparing for its move to Longboat Island Chapel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee detectives investigate shooting, stabbing incident in Silver Lake
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee detectives investigate shooting, stabbing incident in Silver Lake

A 23-year-old woman was stabbed multiple times while a 21-year-old male was shot twice.

  • East County
  • News
Laurie Breslin of the School District of Manatee County and Misty Mathis of Nassau County School District have been selected as finalists in the superintendent search.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 12, 2025
Manatee School Board selects two finalists for superintendent position

Laurie Breslin and Misty Mathis will meet the public Aug. 18 at Manatee Technical College.

  • East County
  • Schools
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
Allegiant adds new route from Sarasota to Rochester

Allegiant Air's new route between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Rochester, New York, begins Feb. 13, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
City undergoes billing system change for water customers

Beginning in October, the city of Sarasota will implement electronic payment system InvoiceCloud for water bills, shift convenience fees to customers.

  • 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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