• Alternate Text

  • Loading

  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Elections
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

News

At 15 stories, the Islands West condominium building constructed in 1972 is one of the tallest buildings on Longboat Key. Driving north on the island, it’s the last taller condo building, as the north end features more single family homes and shorter hotel buildings like Four Winds Beach Resort pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
The great freeze of 1985 still impacts Longboat Key today

Surging development on Longboat Key was stopped in its tracks when voters approved a charter amendment that required resident approval for density increases. Now, the charter is being looked at again.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Edward Bailey, Jr., a 22-year-old former District 5 commissioner's aide, is now vying for a seat on the dais.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2026
Young candidates vie for Manatee County Commission, school board

Commissioners, voters and a former Miss America contestant weigh in on the issue of age in politics.

  • East County
  • News
Official renderings for the multiplex will be completed after the site plan is finalized, but this rendering offers a glimpse of what the facility at Premier Sports Campus North could look like.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch-area residents divided on proposed ice rink for Premier

Manatee County Commissioner Bob McCann is suggesting a relocation of the multiplex to the grounds adjacent to the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

  • East County
  • News
Whitney’s Restaurant on the north end of Longboat Key is planning to expand to the office building next door, pictured to the right.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 15, 2026
Whitney's restaurant plans expansion

The Longboat Key restaurant owners paid $1.2 million for the property next door last October.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Co-owners Tory Delany and Kevin O'Hanlon say every aspect of Delany's Public House on Lakewood Main Street is genuine Irish.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 15, 2026
Delany's Public House ready to open on Main Street at Lakewood Ranch

The owners went to great lengths to present the public with a genuine Irish Public House.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Longboat Key emergency responders posted this photo of Tuesday night's crash scene on social media platforms.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 14, 2026
'Major' two-car accident shuts down Gulf of Mexico Drive both ways

Responders anticipate the investigation will require the complete shutdown of the area for an extended period of time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bradenton's Margi Nanney is running for the District 2 school board seat for the School District of Manatee County.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 14, 2026
'Champion for academic excellence' decides to run for Manatee school board

Margi Nanney says she can provide a seasoned perspective of the school system as a mother, a volunteer, a teacher. and an administrator.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Manasota League of Cities met on July 9 at Longboat Key Town Hall. Brian Williams from Palmetto and Debbie Scaccianoce from Bradenton Beach were absent.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 14, 2026
Local leaders updated on property tax referendum

Elected representatives from North Port to Anna Maria Island gathered in Longboat Key for a Manasota League of Cities meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The share of spending on public safety infrastructure, such as new fire stations, from Surtax IV is $79.7 million. The money also pays for other projects, and at least 50% of all spending must be on transportation and congestion relief.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 14, 2026
Surtax project list headed for evaluation

Sarasota County Commissioner Tom Knight won the support from his fellow commissioners to review the Surtax IV spending priorities.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Children and teenagers are often seen riding electric bikes and scooters around the Lakewood Ranch area.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 14, 2026
Manatee County responds to growing number of e-bikes, e-scooters

County officials are exploring options to keep kids safe and to inform parents immediately when accidents occur with micromobility devices.

  • East County
  • News
Executive Assistant Savannah Cobb will take over as the lead of communications for the town, aside from fire rescue and police communications, starting in October.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 13, 2026
Longboat Key communications department evolves

Savannah Cobb will take the lead of the communications team as Tina Adams shifts back to solely police and fire communications.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The site of the proposed Ringling & Osprey Condos is outlined in green, Osprey Court in red.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2026
New downtown Sarasota condo project moves forward

The Sarasota City Commission approved an alley right of way vacation for a new condominium tower on Ringling Boulevard after several proffers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Partners Animal Hospital Lakewood Ranch hosts a ribbon cutting July 10.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 13, 2026
Partners Animal Hospital opens in Lakewood Ranch

The 4,300-square-foot veterinary office and animal hospital includes acupuncture among its treatments.

  • East County
  • Business
Joseph Centanni is the new chief of police at Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 13, 2026
Airport names new chief of police

The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport tapped a 31-year-old law enforcement veteran to lead its police department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
More consistent rainfall has driven eased drought conditions and prompted Sarasota County to rescind its monthslong burn ban.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 12, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee drop burn ban

Dought conditions have eased, prompting Sarasota County fire officials to lift the countywide ban on outdoor burning.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest News

1
Sarasota Military Academy is at 801 N. Orange Ave. in Sarasota.
  • August 5, 2026
Sarasota Military Academy's downtown campus listed for sale
2
Country Club East's Mark Allen Baker shows off his newest book, "Willian A. Brady — The Life of a Boxing and Broadway Impresario."
  • August 5, 2026
Classroom assignment can launch a career
3
The $2.6 million tax refund to the School District of Manatee County was voted by the county commissioners on July 28.
  • August 5, 2026
County sends $2.6 million back to Manatee schools
4
The Hermitage Artist Retreat programming includes free sunset concerts on the beach at its Manasota Key campus.
  • August 5, 2026
Arts incubator receives $450,000 in grants
5
Kids arrive by bus at Southside Elementary. School begins Monday in Sarasota County.
  • August 5, 2026
School zones will be active as kids return to school on Monday

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.

Anytime. Anywhere. Observer.

From in-depth local reporting to real-time breaking news, stay connected to the stories shaping our community with the Your Observer app.

Download Now for Free