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News

Sarasota County names new human resources chief
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • February 19, 2025
Sarasota County names new human resources chief

Mike McNichols will join the county in advance of the April retirement of Chris Louria.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Lakewood Ranch Library has been open for over a year now.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 19, 2025
What's ahead for the year-old Lakewood Ranch Library

The second floor buildout is in the design phase as library and Manatee County personnel consider how to best use it.

  • East County
  • News
Traffic often gets congested heading north from Longboat Key.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Beach traffic issue flow raised again by north-end Longboat community

Traffic is inevitable, but the north-end community group thinks a simple solution for the exits on Coquina Beach could make a big difference.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The front entrance of Manatee County's leased space at Whitney Plaza.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Manatee County to leave Longboat Key plaza space in August

The county planned to turn the leased space into a community center with adult education classes but now is shifting away from putting money into a leased space.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The development envelope of a future project between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street is outlined in yellow with the options for the driveway location shown off Fourth Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 19, 2025
Fruitville Road project wins adjustment for Fourth Street driveway

With no site plan submitted, the developer of nearly 2 acres between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street at North Tamiami Trail gets critical access approval.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Black skimmer chicks have started to appear on Lido Beach.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 19, 2025
Shorebird stewards ready for start of breeding season in Florida

Nesting shorebirds frequent Longboat and Lido Key beaches in the spring and summer months, with the season officially starting on Feb. 15.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Van Wezel Performng Arts Hall seats 1,741 for touring performances.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 18, 2025
Commttee begins to weigh options for Van Wezel

With five months to go, the Purple Ribbon Committee shifts from research to discussion on ways to repurpose Sarasota's primary performance venue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spanish Main Yacht Club in Longboat Key is comprised of 212 units and is situated on Sarasota Bay.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Spanish Main Yacht Club faces $13M lien from restoration company

The Servpro company from Michigan filed the lien due to unpaid invoices from the Longboat Key condominium community.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Some parts of Longboat Key's beaches were lined with dead fish on Feb. 17.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 18, 2025
Red tide effects pop up on Longboat Key beaches

Piles of dead fish added to the foul odor on some parts of Longboat Key beaches around Feb. 17.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
John Neal, with Neal Land & Neighborhoods, is building North River Ranch in Parrish.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • February 18, 2025
Big projects to keep an eye on in Parrish

With bulldozers and (lots of) building permits in tow, a pair of communities a short car ride away from Lakewood Ranch are in boom mode. "Coming soon" signs dot the landscape.

  • East County
  • News
The Urban Air Adventure Park location in Lakewood Ranch will be its largest in the country.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 17, 2025
Urban Air Adventure Park flies into Lakewood Ranch this summer

The 60,000-square-foot indoor adventure park is anticipated to open July 25 on Professional Parkway.

  • East County
  • Business
This boardwalk used to start flush to the ground. Now, it's raised about 2-3 feet.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • February 17, 2025
Longboat nature parks still need major repairs before reopening

Caused by the hurricanes, the replacement of park boardwalks, the town boat ramp and the town dock could cost around $2 million.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Ilee Finocchiaro and Danielle Curtis met in 2023 and began to formulate a plan to merge the two nonprofits they helped run.
    By
  • Laura Lyon
  • February 17, 2025
SMART joins forces with a similar nonprofit

Two nonprofits with a similar focus — helping people through horse therapy — have merged into one organization.

  • East County
  • News
The proposed location of Obsidian at 1260 N. Palm Ave.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • February 14, 2025
Planning Board reluctantly rules in favor of Obsidian tower plan

Despite their stated dislike of the 342-foot condo tower, by a 4-1 vote the Sarasota Planning Board found no legal basis to deny the project moving forward.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Drywall is removed in Nicole Eveloff's River Club home after Hurricane Debby flooded the home Aug. 5, 2024. At the time, Eveloff was told it could be four to five months before her family could return home.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • February 14, 2025
Deadline approaches for 2024 catastrophic property tax refund

Residents can now report property damage and file applications through the Manatee County Property Appraiser's website.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Manatee County Commissioner Tal Siddique was picked in a 4-3 vote by the commission to serve as chair in 2026.
  • December 15, 2025
Tal Siddique selected as chair of Manatee County Commission
2
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time
  • December 15, 2025
Tree Fort Productions takes a recovery road trip, one classic car at a time
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  • December 15, 2025
The SCF Foundation's 11th Annual Avenues to the Future: Bourbon, Brews, & BBQ
4
Residents line up behind the podium to object to a proposal for Altman Rye Townhomes.
  • December 15, 2025
Planning commission reviews three projects in east Manatee County
5
Maddox and Lou Towery have packed up shoeboxes during the Community Holiday Shoebox Collection Drive for the last seven years.
  • December 15, 2025
Lakewood Ranch community rallies to support seniors with shoebox event

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