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News

Sarasota City Engineer Sage Kamiya at the Lido Beach Pavilion walkover, which will be replaced when 6-foot-high dunes are built in the area.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 16, 2026
Projects will leave Lido Key with a whole new beach

As beach renourishment winds down, the city of Sarasota is gearing up for a project to build 6-foot-plus dunes for much of Lido Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Jon Thaxton speaks to members of the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association as Sarasota Capital Projects Manager Alvimarie Corales and local historian Jeff LaHurd look on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 16, 2026
Condo group panel decries outcome of Downtown Master Plan

A panel discussion arranged by the Downtown Sarasota Condominium Association largely decried development enabled by the 2020 Downtown Master Plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Element Steak.Seafood.Pasta is at 1413 Main St. in Sarasota.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • April 16, 2026
Sarasota restaurant closing on Main Street seeks new space

Element will shutter its current location downtown in late April.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota schools leader outlines issues but also optimism

Superintendent Terry Connor spoke at the State of the Community event by the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce on April 14.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Pills, pistols found in Sarasota stolen car stop
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 15, 2026
Pills, pistols found in Sarasota stolen car stop

A convicted felon from Louisiana and hitchhiker from Virginia were arrested on charges stemming from a stolen vehicle stop on St. Armands.

  • Sarasota
  • News
From left, Assistant County Administrator Brad Johnson, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and County Commissioners Teresa Mast, Ron Cutsinger, Mark Smith, Joe Neunder and Tom Knight flank Matt Osterhoudt as he cuts the ribbon at the new development services one stop shop.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 15, 2026
New county building consolidates development services staff

The ribbon is cut to open the new Sarasota County Planning and Development Services "one stop shop" in east county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Manatee Belle can carry more than 90 passengers.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 15, 2026
Larger, air-conditioned ferry added to Manatee beach fleet

The 92-seat Manatee Belle becomes the third Gulf Islands Ferry vessel operating between Bradenton and Anna Maria Island.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County has renegotiated its contracts with Waste Pro and Waste Management to bring back limited bulk trash pickup for one year.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 15, 2026
Manatee County launches $3M pilot program for bulk garbage pickup

Regular bulk pickup was eliminated when the "Big Bin Advantage" was introduced in October.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County Area Transit bus stops are unused on Longboat Key as on demand service using vehicles like the white Ford Explorer pictured are now the only public transportation options on the barrier island.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 15, 2026
On-demand public transit sees steady use on Longboat

When bus service stopped on Longboat Key, on-demand ride-hailing with public subsidies took its place.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Facilitator David Brain presents findings of the first St. Armands visioning session to the audience.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 15, 2026
St. Armands visioning wraps up, but more work remains

Following two public workshop sessions, Sarasota city staff now has its list of priorities as planning and projects for a more resilient St. Armands Circle continue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Club Road is the first signaled intersection when entering Longboat Key from the south from City Island.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 14, 2026
Roundabout planned for southern gateway to Longboat Key

A roundabout on Longboat Club Road, at the foot of New Pass Bridge, pops up in planning documents but is still a long ways off.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Top rankings among the U.S. and the world's best beaches is not new to Siesta Beach.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • April 14, 2026
Siesta Beach ranked No. 1 beach in the US

U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings rates Siesta Beach as best in the country ahead of notable destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Bayfront Park Recreation Center was moved to its current location in 1984.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • April 14, 2026
Budget planning kicks off with Longboat organization updates

The goals and objectives workshop gave community organizations a platform to discuss issues and suggest policies to the Longboat Key Town Commission.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dick Vitale, 86, has been with ESPN since the 1979-80 season and has called over 1,000 games for the network. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • April 14, 2026
Vitale reveals a new cancer diagnosis

The 86-year-old Lakewood Ranch resident and sports announcer says treatment begins next week.

  • East County
  • News
Government protections remain important in keeping the Myakka River healthy and pristine.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • April 13, 2026
Some residents say Manatee pulled 'bait and switch' on Myakka River monitoring

Two technicians were supposed to monitor the Myakka River, but they were hired to cover all of Manatee County instead.

  • East County
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
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Latest News

1
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
  • May 6, 2026
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
2
This fall will be Scott Paravicini's fourth season as the Lakewood Ranch football coach. He's posted a 14-17 record since taking over the program.
  • May 6, 2026
Despite cancer, Lakewood Ranch High coach remains committed to his players
3
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County
4
Rod Brogan and Rachel Moulton star in Florida Studio Theatre's "Birthday Candles."
  • May 6, 2026
Florida Studio Theatre actor is a woman for all seasons
5
The home at 5910 Gulf of Mexico Drive sold for $4.9 million. Built in 2023, it has four bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,272 square feet of living area.
  • May 6, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Longboat, Lido, St. Armands, Bird Key

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