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News

Co-owner Chris Carter works with a barista behind the counter of the second location of Sips, which opened at 3172 Gulf of Mexico Drive this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Second Sips debuts on Longboat Key

Build-your-own sandwiches and cozy space sets second branch apart from original.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
St. Regis Longboat Key Resort installed a stainless steel metal arch on a converted groin extending into the Gulf. Longboat Key town staff asked the hotel to take the arch down because it does not follow town code.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Planning and Zoning Board gives thumbs down to St. Regis arch

The issue of whether to amend the town’s sign code to allow the St. Regis arch will come to the Longboat Key commission with a "no" recommendation from the PZB.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Eddie Abrams stands at the base of his raised lot on Longboat Drive North where he is building his insulating concrete form house. Abrams and his son are both rebuilding on raised lots after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding on Longboat Key.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 25, 2026
Annual report highlights a year defined by rebuilding

The town of Longboat Key issued 2,183 permits for storm damage repairs in the 2025 fiscal year, according to its 2025 annual report.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Karie Friling (left) was the City Commission's choice for the next city manager following a two-day interview process with five candidates that included a community roundtable session.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 25, 2026
Employment contract approved for the next Sarasota city manager

The Sarasota City Commission agrees to terms with Karie Friling as the city's next, and first female, city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Philip Reber, the acting CEO at Lakewood Ranch Medical Center, stands in one of the 60 new rooms of the hospital's 170,000-square-foot tower expansion.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 24, 2026
New hospital tower is the talk of Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Ranch Medical Center cuts the ribbon on its $120 million expansion project.

  • East County
  • News
Debra Williams (standing left) and Penny Gold (standing right) were picked as mayor and vice mayor, respectively, at Longboat Key’s Town Commission meeting Monday, March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Williams picked as mayor, Gold as vice mayor of Longboat Key Town Commission

District 4 Commissioner Debra Williams will serve a one-year term as mayor, replacing Ken Schneier in the position.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Speaks Clam Bar, pictured after its 2018 opening, closed on St. Armands Key earlier this month.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Speaks Clam Bar shutters St. Armands location

The original Lakewood Ranch location of the Italian and Seafood restaurant will remain open.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is among the 75 best maternity hospitals in America, according to a ranking by Money magazine.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 24, 2026
SMH ranks among the best maternity-care hospitals in America

Money magazine has listed Sarasota Memorial Hospital among the top 75 hospitals in America for maternity care.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ed Ference is running for the District 6 at-large Manatee County commission seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 24, 2026
Lifelong East County resident enters Manatee County Commission race

Ed Ference grew up along the Upper Manatee River Road and spent 30 years working for Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
From left to right: Sarasota County Commissioner Mark Smith, Gulf Coast Community Foundation Senior Vice President Jon Thaxton and One Stop Housing CEO Mark Vengroff made up a panel hosted by Miracle on the Key Thursday, March 19 on the subject of affordable housing.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 24, 2026
Panel discusses the thorny problem of affordable housing

Although there are developments that provide affordable housing in the area, the need is not nearly met.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lockwood Ridge Road was closed near Gocio Road early Monday morning after a fatal incident between a vehicle and a pedestrian.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 23, 2026
Pedestrian killed crossing Lockwood Ridge Road

A man was pushing a bicycle while on foot near Gocio Road, the Florida Highway Patrol says.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board at a November meeting. Nick Gladding, third from the right, is stepping down as he prepares to take his oath of office for Town Commission on March 23.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • March 23, 2026
Town to host meet and greet with board applicants

Longboat Key has three open positions for boards and committees that have attracted nine applicants.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County staffers flew DJI drones in 2021 to help the town of Longboat Key monitor red tide blooms in the gulf.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 23, 2026
Drone replacement costs add to Manatee County expenses

Chinese-made models are no longer allowed by state to fly for governments, prompting new purchases.

  • East County
  • News
The the site of the proposed 1899 Fruitville apartment development is outlined in red.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 19, 2026
Proposed apartments would replace Breakfast House and more on Fruitville

Adjacent to Gillespie Park, a 324-unit building would cover an entire block on Fruitville Road between North Osprey and Gillespie avenues.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Well Sarasota would include 28 condominiums and 72 hotel/condo units.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 19, 2026
Is the hotel/condo trend coming to Sarasota?

Two projects working through the city approval process would combine condominium and hotel uses, signaling a possible shift in the Sarasota condo market.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Julia Groom, Elizabeth Moore and Jennifer Masters
  • April 12, 2026
Gymnast Emily Meinke shares message of hope at Blue Ties & Butterflies
2
Alisa Pettingell, Eileen Curd and Graci McGillicuddy
  • April 12, 2026
Moffitt's Mission Possible luncheon supports new treatments in cancer
3
Longboat Key firefighter paramedics used the Hurst Jaws of Life ram to push the dashboard of a Ford Focus away from the passenger seat.
  • April 12, 2026
Fire Department turns Ford Focus into convertible for training
4
County Administrator Charlie Bishop is typically seated at the dais with commissioners during meetings, but he was absent during the discussion about his contract April 7.
  • April 12, 2026
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract up for renewal
5
Overall female winner Vicky Romocki poses with Shelley.
  • April 11, 2026
Over 1,000 turn out to Siesta Key Beach for Run for the Turtles

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