• 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • 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
  • Things to Do
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Elections
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Sand Bucket List
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

News

Grant's Gardens has a two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road, and is proposing to build an office building on the lot across the street at 524 Gulf Bay Road.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 23, 2026
Landscaping company seeks expansion in Longboat Key

An office building proposed on Gulf Bay Road came before the Planning and Zoning Board for review Tuesday, prompting pushback from a neighbor and former employee.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 23, 2026
New town clerk hired for Longboat Key

Outgoing Town Clerk Trish Shinkle will retire on June 19.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lakewood Ranch's Bruce Stamm says residents in District 1 are being denied due process because of a lack of representation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 22, 2026
Felts' Manatee County Commission seat remains empty

The district has lacked representation since Commissioner Carol Ann Felts died in February.

  • East County
  • News
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 22, 2026
Senior affordable housing project funding remains one step short

Sarasota Housing Authority is pledged $3 million from the county to close a funding gap for McCown Towers. Another $8 million from the city still requires a commission vote.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 21, 2026
Sarasota gunfire remains under investigation

Police looking into a Wednesday shooting into an unoccupied vehicle.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 7-Eleven planned for 44th Avenue West and White Eagle Boulevard will look similar to the 7-Eleven on University Parkway near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2026
7-Eleven planned for Lakewood Ranch fuels outrage

A gas station and convenience store on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard is anticipated to be under construction before the year's end.

  • East County
  • News
A new fire pit area awaits campers, along with the playground that was moved from Camp Flying Eagle, where camps used to be held.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2026
Dream Oaks Camp opens near Rye Preserve just in time for summer

Manatee County gave the Foundation for Dreams a 10-year lease for $10, but the campus needed an overhaul.

  • East County
  • News
Elizabeth Arnold is transitioning from citizen activist to commissioner candidate. She's running for the District 1 seat.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 21, 2026
Parrish resident steps up to protect rural Manatee County in District 1 race

As a citizen, Elizabeth Arnold fought beside the late commissioner Carol Ann Felts. Now, she's stepping into the race to fill her vacant commission seat.

  • East County
  • News
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park

With a time frame for completion in 2029, planning has begun for Phase 3 projects to expand boater access, build a parking deck and convert acres of asphalt into green space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 21, 2026
No fees for day docks at The Bay park

Use of federal funds to build day docks at The Bay means the city cannot charge boaters, but a time limit remains in effect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The new Kompose Hotel at SRQ Airport will be built behind this Hampton Inn along University Parkway.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 21, 2026
New hotel will complete three-facility campus at SRQ airport

The Sarasota Planning Board has approved a new Kompose Hotel to bring the total number of rooms on SRQ airport property to 300.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Sarasota County side of Gulf of Mexico Drive will be repaved in 2027 or 2028, Longboat Key Assistant Town Manager Isaac Brownman said.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • May 20, 2026
Longboat repaving projects planned

Side roads will get fresh asphalt over the next few months, and Gulf of Mexico Drive will be repaved in the coming years.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This truck was driven by 67-year-old Edward O'Neil when he was arrested on charges of attempting to lure two minor girls into the vehicle.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 20, 2026
Sarasota man charged with luring minor girls

Police say Edward O'Neil, 67, attempted multiple times to lure a 12- and 13-year-old into his truck.

  • Sarasota
  • News
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 20, 2026
With an eye on lawsuit, county commissioners formalize tax-fee vote

Sarasota leaders agree to pay 2% commission on school tax while legal action plays out between school district and tax collector.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 1.2-mile stretch of North Tamiami Trail from Myrtle Street north will be resurfaced and safety features enhanced.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 20, 2026
Resurfacing on the way to North Tamiami Trail

The city of Sarasota has entered into a local agency program agreement with FDOT to repave 1.24 miles of U.S. 41 north of Myrtle Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
« 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 »
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
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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