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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
Real estate agents peer over a balcony on the 15th floor during a tour of the One Park condominium tower.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 26, 2026
One Park tower nears topping off in The Quay

Vertical construction of the 18-story One Park Sarasota condo building is expected to be completed in weeks as the project continues toward early 2027 occupancy.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Pass drawbridge opens anywhere from 100 to 300 times per month, according to an FDOT engineering study.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • February 25, 2026
FDOT prefers fixed-span design for Longboat Pass Bridge replacement

The 78-foot clearance design sparked controversy when it was first introduced as one of three options two years ago.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County Day is celebrated in Tallahassee Feb. 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 25, 2026
Local legislators and businesses come together on Manatee County Day

The inaugural event welcomed over 80 attendees and 24 businesses and nonprofits.

  • East County
  • News
Conceptual rendering by Renzo Piano Building Workshop of the north elevation of a new performing arts center as viewed across the 10th Street boat basin.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 25, 2026
Performing Arts Center 'Concept 2.0' set for public debut

The Sarasota City Commission will receive the reimagined vision for a new performing arts center at its March 2 meeting.

  • 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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