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News

The primary election in Florida will be held Tuesday, Aug. 18.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 7, 2026
Registration deadline for August primary is July 20

Because Florida is a closed-primary state, voters may only vote for candidates in the party they are registered with in partisan races.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Le Gardenia Bleu's John and Lita Brannan showcase their ornament tree filled with Florida's iconic flamingos and more at the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 6, 2026
Le Gardenia Bleu closes on Longboat Key

The well-known flower and gift shop on Longboat Key said it made the decision to close "with a heavy heart."

  • Longboat Key
  • Business
A conceptual rendering of the proposed clubhouse at Bobby Jones Golf Club.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 6, 2026
Bobby Jones clubhouse granted partial sign-off

The pared-down clubhouse lost its second story and wraparound veranda view.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Palmetto's Leland Taylor is one of six candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 1.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 6, 2026
Palmetto lawyer vies for District 1 Republican nomination

Criminal defense attorney Leland Taylor, who is running for a Manatee County Commission seat, was born and raised in District 1.

  • East County
  • News
The 1,475 square foot Udermann house has been partially raised using about 50 hydraulic jacks in The Village in Longboat Key. It currently sits 4 and a half feet up and will eventually be raised to 12 feet.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 4, 2026
Town may encourage home raising through code amendment

There have been 30 applications received by the town of Longboat Key to put existing houses on stilts for storm protection.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
State Rep. James Buchanan was one of the driving forces behind a one-year accommodation in a state tax bill that requires either county governments to cover any fees associated with collecting voter-approved school taxes or to waive those fees.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2026
Buchanan proposal on school-tax fees now law

At issue is a 2% fee charged by Moran’s office on revenue generated by an additional 1-mill school tax approved and renewed several times by Sarasota County voters.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering of the Fruitville Road elevation of the 1899 Fruitville project.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 3, 2026
1899 Fruitville apartment development advances

The Sarasota Development Review Committee has granted partial sign-off on an apartment project to remake a block between Fruitville Road and Fourth Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Changes to the city of Sarasota's public parking program mean longer enforcement hours and higher fines.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2026
City parking changes are now in effect

The city of Sarasota has expanded hours of parking enforcement and increased fines for violations.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The city allowed a food truck to set up at the Lido Pavilion during a 2019 concession renovation project.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2026
City to mull food trucks in downtown zone district

In its first meeting since new City Manager Karie Friling arrived a month ago, the City Commission returns with a proposal to allow food trucks in the Downtown Bayfront zone district, as well as other business.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ben Quartermaine was hired by Sarasota County to head up the new Stormwater Department, tasked to help prevent future flooding from tropical weather events and maintain runoff water quality.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2026
Sarasota County stormwater budget request swells by 73%

In his first budget presentation, Sarasota County Stormwater Department Director Ben Quartermaine proposed 22 more employees and a $35 million spending increase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key has 88 canals according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal. The canals have not been dredged since 2003.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 2, 2026
Canal dredging assessment passes unanimously

Flat fees per boat slip and islandwide property taxes will be charged starting this fall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A crew clears vegetation and downed trees from the Braden River in May 2025, but there's about $18.8 million of cleaning left to complete in waterways around Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 2, 2026
Cleaning waterways will cost Manatee County another $18.8 million

Manatee County spent $10.5 million to clean waterways of debris in 2025 but the job isn't done.

  • East County
  • News
Tony Barrett appears before Judge Gilbert A. Smith Jr. July 1. He's on the screen. His attorney Richard Reinhart appeared in person.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 1, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate arrested for a second time

Tony Barrett is running for the District 6 at-large seat.

  • East County
  • News
The pedestrian tunnel under State Road 789, locally known as Gulf of Mexico Drive, is illuminated by fluorescent lights.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 1, 2026
Longboat Key's only tunnel changes hands

The pedestrian tunnel that runs under Gulf of Mexico Drive will now be maintained by the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota's rich history and arts culture was one of the reasons CNN chose is as the top city to visit in the United States.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 1, 2026
Sarasota at top of CNN's list of cities to visit

The top 10 list aims to look past "American tourism's heaviest hitters."

  • Sarasota
  • News
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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

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