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News

A rendering of the Sarasota Police Department's completed Real-Time Operations Center.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 15, 2025
SPD'S new operations center is already solving crime in real time

Only in its infancy, the Sarasota Police Department's new technology-rich, fully integrated facility managed by an unretired former detective is already paying dividends.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Arts Center Sarasota was granted $250,000 by Sarasota’s Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation expansion of its free art programs.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 15, 2025
Barancik Foundation grants $6 million

The grants fall into four categories: arts and culture, humanitarian causes, education, and the environment.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Benderson Development has been growing the tenant base in the UTC area for at least the past decade.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • May 15, 2025
Check out what's coming soon to UTC

From Tesla to Trader Joe's, the University Town Center districts that straddle Manatee and Sarasota counties just outside Lakewood Ranch have redefined the region's retail scene.

  • East County
  • Business
Flower Child is known for its customizable bowls, wraps, salads and overall healthy menu.
    By
  • Abby Weingarten
  • May 15, 2025
New restaurant seeks local following with fresh-first take on casual dining

An Arizona restaurant concept popular with yogis, foodies and lots of health-conscious people in between choose the Lakewood Ranch area to make its Florida debut.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The Paradise Center, located at 546 Bay Isles Road, has until August to raise funding to move to a new space after its rent went up under new ownership.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 14, 2025
The Paradise Center has until August to raise support

With the recent sale of the Tidewell building and subsequent rent increase, the nonprofit has until August to raise funding to relocate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Opponents of the Obsidian condominium tower demonstrate their solidarity by wearing red shirts.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • May 14, 2025
City halts progress for 18-story condo development Obsidian

Residents of the adjacent Bay Plaza succeed in their long-awaited chance to thwart the development of the Sarasota's tallest condominium tower. Now the matter is likely headed it court.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County commissioners hold the second of two required public hearings May 8 to request "extraordinary circumstances" from the state to raise impact fees.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee County collects data it hopes will raise impact fees

Commissioners hope reports can prove the county is experiencing economic extraordinary circumstances.

  • East County
  • News
Interim City Manager Doug Jeffcoat, left, confers with Deputy City Manager Pat Robinson during a City Commission meeting in 2025.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • May 14, 2025
Sarasota prepares to line up new interim manager

As search begins again following Marlon Brown's 2024 retirement, a new face may temporarily lead City Hall staff.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The building located at 540 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 14, 2025
Former Tidewell building under new ownership after $2.1M sale

The new owner, a full-time Longboat Key resident, will continue with a commercial lease business model and plans to make renovations to upgrade the property.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The possible terrace is shown on the back end of the rendering of the enhanced library.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 14, 2025
Longboat library project inches closer to funding goal as deadline nears

The town's next meeting with Sarasota County is set for June 4, and Town Manager Howard Tipton hopes to have the $3.5 million raised.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County District 5 Commissioner Robert McCann
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 14, 2025
Manatee County makes U-turn on roundabout

Manatee wants to cancel its contract for a roundabout at University Parkway and Deer Drive.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota Style is a new lifestyle shop featuring apparel and more that is slated to open on St. Armands Circle at the end of the year.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • May 13, 2025
New retail, lifestyle shop to open on St. Armands Circle

Co-owner Malia Price eagerly anticipates the opening of her new store, The Sarasota Style, a lifestyle brand to feature clothes, accessories and items by local artisans.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Longboat Key commissioners traveled to Bradenton for a joint meeting with Manatee County commissioners on May 7.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • May 13, 2025
Infrastructure, beaches among top projects for Manatee, Longboat collaboration

Manatee County and Longboat Key commissioners discussed several overlapping projects and issues at the May 7 joint meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sandra Tapfumaneyi speaks at the event.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • May 13, 2025
Sarasota County hosts community conversation on hurricane preparedness

The event welcomed local and federal officials to speak on ways to be prepared for the next hurricane season, starting June 1.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Zoto is being developed by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • May 12, 2025
Upscale Japanese restaurant and bar coming to University Town Center

Zoto is being developed by James Beard-nominated restaurateurs Jimmy and Johnny Tung.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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Latest News

1
Katherine Ceaser, Lydia Chapdelain and Jessica Armstrong
  • March 22, 2026
Art Center Sarasota brings Beaux Arts Ball back to celebrate centennial
2
Mike and Julie Paige, and Amber and Lenny Larson, pose by an "SRQ Wine" sign.
  • March 22, 2026
Festival pours wines from around the world, all at Selby Five Points Park
3
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
4
  • March 20, 2026
Longboat Key's Cops, Cars & Coffee rescheduled
5
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism
  • March 20, 2026
City parking scheme schemes hurting our tourism

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