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News

Death of 76-year-old on Longboat Key beach ruled an accident
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 6, 2025
Death of 76-year-old on Longboat Key beach ruled an accident

A Louisiana woman had drowned in the Gulf on the evening of July 31.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brenda Jameson, a permitted volunteer, shows the public one of the unhatched loggerhead turtle eggs from a nest excavated for research purposes. A total of 87 eggs hatched from the early nest, while only three hadn't.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 6, 2025
First Longboat Key evening turtle nest excavation in years takes place

At the mid-point of the turtle hatching season, Longboat Key has seen record-breaking nest numbers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approve the purchase of Mixon Fruit Farms for $13.5 million July 29, exactly two years after the farm's last day of business.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 6, 2025
Manatee County moves forward with Mixon Fruit Farms purchase

The property will be purchased for $13.5 million and be developed into a living museum, a library and other public uses.

  • East County
  • News
The final leg of the 44th Avenue East extension project will open to drivers on Aug. 9.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 6, 2025
44th Avenue East extension into Lakewood Ranch welcomes drivers Aug. 9

The project that took over $268 million and over 50 years to come to fruition is complete.

  • East County
  • News
Commissioners George Kruse, Bob McCann and Amanda Ballard debate the merits of a curfew for residents under the age of 17 at the Aug. 5 commission meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2025
Kids 16 and under in Manatee County face possible curfew

Commissioners directed the county attorney to draft an ordinance to establish a curfew in unincorporated Manatee County.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering by PSDW Architecture of the proposed new Sarasota Youth Sailing facility at City Island shows boat storage beneath a climate-controlled second floor.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 5, 2025
Meeting on planned Sailing Squadron building set for Aug. 13

Sarasota Sailing Squadron is seeking a zoning waiver for planned Youth Education Building.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The second option for High School AAA, with a $107,000,000 budget, would provide 1,000 student stations and 139,000 square feet of space. Later additions might include an auditorium, gymnasium and other athletic fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2025
School board to decide fate of new high school in Lakewood Ranch

Two options being studied for a high school at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard, along with a possible expansion at Braden River High.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Sarasota Seagrass sculpture selected for the roundabout at 10th Street and U.S. 41 has been redesigned to remove the fish per Florida Department of Transportation safety standards.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 5, 2025
Design and perhaps location changes affect 10th Street roundabout sculpture

For safety reasons, the small fish in the Seagrass sculpture selected for the roundabout at 10th Street and U.S. 41 have been removed while the location choice remains in flux.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County CFO Sheila McLean presents a new budget proposal July 31.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2025
Manatee property values decelerate, but tentative millage stays steady

Countywide property values were anticipated to grow by 10% but only grew by 7.09%.

  • East County
  • News
Town of Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager is sworn in on his first day Aug. 4 as his wife, Beth, looks on.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 5, 2025
Longboat Key swears in new police chief

Russ Mager brings 29 years of experience to the position, with much of that time spent in Delray Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
There are three living levels within 845 Longboat Club Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 4, 2025
Record-breaking Longboat home sale spotlights island's unique market

The $30.3 million deal solidifies the town's position for luxury sales.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The damage to Whitaker Gateway Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.5 million.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 4, 2025
City park hurricane repairs estimated at $12.45 million

In addition to $12.45 million in repairs to city parks and piers, Sarasota's Parks and Recreation Department budget also took a nearly $200,000 hit in lost revenues following the 2024 storms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The electric dirt bike seen here is a Talaria XXX Pro that retails for about $3,000. The manufacturer states that it was designed for off-road use by riders 16 years of age or older.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 4, 2025
Electric bicycle use regulated in unincorporated Manatee County

The ordinance prohibits kids under 16 from using Class 3 electric bikes on shared-use paths and roadways.

  • East County
  • News
Suncoast Waterkeepers provides weekly water quality testing of coastal waters and publishes results for the public.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 2, 2025
Waterkeeper monitoring expands to south Sarasota County

Suncoast Waterkeeper has added a new water quality specialist for its bacteria indicator testing program.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Yacht Club philanthropy and special projects coordinator Stephania Feltz, center, joins Nicki Martin, Don Ellis, Roy Grossman and Mark Padgett, who are the board members leading SYC Cares. The charitable arm of the yacht club recently became an official 501c3.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 1, 2025
SYC Cares becomes 501(c)(3) foundation

With 20 members on the committee, the Sarasota Yacht Club will continue its fundraising faction.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Latest News

1
Shane Catts, who started Happy Paddler Kayak Tours & Ecoventures with his wife, Holly Rolls, said the Longboat Key-based business has been proud to be part of so many families' favorite times vacationing and living on the island in the nearly 10 years it has been open on the north end.
  • August 6, 2026
Happy Paddler celebrates family legacy on Longboat Key waters
2
  • August 6, 2026
Voter organization to hold election information sessions
3
Workers install boat slips behind the vacant lot where the Buccaneer Restaurant is planned. Additional slips will be installed behind the Harbor Square office building pictured left.
  • August 6, 2026
Boat slip addition underway behind future Buccaneer Restaurant site
4
Sarasota runner Vinny O'Shaughnessy completed his goal of running a marathon in every state. Since then, the runner hasn't slowed down, starting on a new mission to do the same with a half marathon in every state.
  • August 6, 2026
Marathon man accomplishes goal of racing in every state
5
Paused 'generational' city projects subject to commission review
  • August 6, 2026
Paused 'generational' city projects subject to commission review

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