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News

Manatee County will expand its pilot program countywide to give ambulances priority at traffic lights.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 19, 2025
Manatee EMS wants more traffic-clearing technology

A pilot program that turns red lights to green for emergency vehicles has been successful in Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
Ketch Lane would be one of the Country Club Shores roads to gain a turn lane with the project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 19, 2025
Residents, town compromise on alterations to Country Club Shores project

Country Club Shores residents and Longboat Key staff worked together to address concerns raised by the residents about the turn lane project's curbed medians.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
PAC Sarasota Co-Chairs Chris Voelker and Dick Lynch.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 19, 2025
Sarasota Arts & Culture Coalition rebranded PAC Sarasota

The goal of the Sarasota Arts & Cultural Coalition is to advocate for Sarasota's arts and cultural organizations.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Lucille Messina, the president of the Making a Difference Club of Del Webb, led a drive to dedicate an ADA compliant swing to Lakewood Ranch Park.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • March 19, 2025
ADA compliant swing added to Lakewood Ranch Park

The Making a Difference Club of Del Webb Lakewood Ranch raised the funds for the swing.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioner-elect Steve Branham will become the new at-large commissioner on March 24.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 19, 2025
Branham looks forward to new Longboat commission seat next week

Steve Branham will take an oath and his at-large commission seat during a statutory meeting on March 24.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photo taken by Manatee County Sheriff's Office deputies on scene on June 4, 2019.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • March 19, 2025
Bill under consideration aims to increase boating safety

A bill known as Lucy's Law would increase penalties for vessel collisions, accidents and casualties and would implement new education requirements.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Police Department officers were sworn in by the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office to allow them to cross jurisdictions specifically with marine patrol.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 18, 2025
Group of Longboat PD officers sworn in with Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office

The cross-jurisdictional agreement helps build relations between agencies and allows the officers to enforce Florida law between the boundaries.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Three new commissioners are sworn in on Nov. 19. The new Manatee County Commission from left to right: Tal Siddique, Carol Felts, George Kruse, Mike Rahn, Amanda Ballard, Jason Bearden and Dr. Robert McCann.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 18, 2025
6 Manatee County commissioners face lawsuit

The lawsuit claims Bradenton Times Publisher Joe McClash used his outlet to influence election in his favor.

  • East County
  • News
Inside the current overcrowded storage facility for the Sarasota County Clerk of Court and County Comptroller office.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 18, 2025
Sarasota County eyes new legal records storage building

County Administrator Jonathan Lewis is tasked to enter into negotiations for a new facility to store and destroy courts record and legal documents.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key Fire Rescue Lt. Daniel Heath breaks open a window to practice creating an entry point for crews. This tactic could be used in fire response or storm rescue scenarios.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 18, 2025
Longboat Key Fire Rescue repurposes flooded homes for training

The department practiced forcible entry tactics at homes on the island that were slated for demolition due to flooding sustained during hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Photograph of the pipe lying on its side at the Town of Longboat Key's Public Works Department. The breach was in the bottom invert of the pipe.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 18, 2025
Design continues for underwater pipe replacement after referendum

Longboat Key staff will press forward with the design process and start the application process for a State Revolving Fund loan for the necessary wastewater project.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Big Waters Land Trust leads a kayaking program in the area.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • March 17, 2025
Nonprofit land conservation group spreads word of name change

Big Waters Land Trust underwent a rebranding to better align its mission with its identity.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The late Mary Jo Reston (right) with Mercedita O’Connor in 2017.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 16, 2025
FST receives big legacy gift

Long-time patron Mary Jo Reston is honored by Florida Studio Theatre for $1.25 million bequeath.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County commissioners and other county officials toss the ceremonial dirt to mark the start of construction at Kensington Park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 16, 2025
County breaks ground on new Kensington Park

The site of a former wastewater plant that served the Kensington Park Community will become a new Sarasota County park by summer.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Christ Church of Longboat Key plans to repurpose the lot at 6350 Gulf of Mexico Drive to increase parking and part of a beautification project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 16, 2025
Christ Church moves forward with long-term expansion plan

The church hopes to increase parking and add outdoor space for the organization by repurposing the lot at 6350 Gulf of Mexico Drive.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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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's Tracy Tutton and Tania Cook, sisters from Canada, enjoy drinks while listening to Sweet Fleet at My Hometown Fest on March 21.
  • March 21, 2026
My Hometown Fest event raises funds for kids with speech needs
4
Lakewood Ranch's Kathleen Flesch, Sonia Levy, Jane Imperiale and Peri Ann Aptaker dress for the Palm Royale-themed Divas and Dogs fundraiser that will benefit The Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch.
  • March 21, 2026
Divas and Dogs brings together fashion and animal lovers
5
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

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