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News

Cirque St. Armands, a circus-themed project, will be unveiled in March.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 24, 2025
Two new luxury developments take root on Lido Key

Two over-the-top projects — one a circus-fancy hotel, another a condo complex with uber-luxury hotel-like amenities and service — are primed to give Benjamin Franklin Drive on Lido Key a new look.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Fire crews from Sarasota County and Longboat Key work to put out a fire at Rochelle's Boutique on St. Armands Circle Jan. 23.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • January 23, 2025
Fire damages St. Armands boutique

No injuries were reported in the two-alarm blaze.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 23, 2025
Another suspect in River Club home invasion arrested

Vail, Colorado, police arrest the fleeing suspect, who was headed for Mexico.

  • East County
  • News
A person bundled against the cold and rain lies on the sidewalk across the street from the Salvation Army in Sarasota Wednesday, Jan. 22. The county is working with the organization to open a cold weather shelter for the next two nights.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 23, 2025
Sarasota County opens downtown cold weather shelter

The Salvation Army will open at 5 p.m. Thursday.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Purple Ribbon Committee has until June 30, 2025 to submit its report on suggestions for repurposing the Van Wezel Peforming Arts Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 23, 2025
Cost to keep the Van Wezel going estimated at $17 million

The draft Karins Engineering report to the city's Purple Ribbon Committee includes systems upgrades and flood proofing the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, but not expanding or reconfiguring seating.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The former S.H. Kress store in downtown Sarasota is an example of a property that would be eligible to transfer its by-right developable height and density to a developer of a receiving site.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 23, 2025
Program aimed at preserving historic structures approved by city

The Sarasota City Commission OKs an ordinance to permit owners of historic buildings to sell by-right density to other owners of downtown property.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The handheld section of the Lefty's menu features a Maine lobster roll, grouper sandwich, seafood tacos, smash burger, fried chicken thigh sandwich and soft shell crab BLT.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • January 22, 2025
Seafood restaurant opens Monday in Sarasota's Rosemary District

Lefty's Oyster & Seafood Bar will welcome diners to its Lemon Avenue location on Monday, Jan. 27.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Commissioner Bob McCann is looking into the possibility of a building moratorium in District 5.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 22, 2025
Manatee County District 5 commissioner pushes for building moratorium

Bob McCann says a residential building moratorium would allow for flooding prevention and infrastructure improvements.

  • East County
  • News
The Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board's Jan. 17 agenda included a discussion on boat dock and lift heights after a recommendation from the town commission.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 22, 2025
Ordinance to raise max boat dock, lift height passed by planning board

With final approval from the Longboat Key Town Commission, the ordinance would allow homeowners to raise boats higher for protection from high surges.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Meet the two candidates for Longboat's at-large commission seat
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 22, 2025
Meet the two candidates for Longboat's at-large commission seat

Deborah Murphy and Steve Branham are up for election for one of the Town Commission's at-large seats, which will be left vacant.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The National Weather Service predicts the cold weather will persist through the weekend.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 21, 2025
Bundle up: Series of cold fronts hit Southwest Florida this week

Lows will be in the low 40s for most of the week.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Winn-Dixie in the Southeast Plaza, at the corner of Bee Ridge Road and McIntosh Road, is being converted to an Aldi, the company said.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 21, 2025
Sarasota Winn-Dixie to close, reemerge as Aldi

The conversion could take several months, the company said.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
The Planning and Zoning Board approved an ordinance to allow Verizon to increase the height of its existing wireless cell service poles to allow for better service quality.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 21, 2025
Verizon cell service improvements on the way for Longboat Key

The ordinance for taller poles to improve wireless coverage will now go before the Longboat Key Town Commission in February for public hearings.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Calusa Country Club is hosting a grand opening event on Jan. 23. It will open to the public shortly after.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • January 21, 2025
Calusa Country Club to open in Lakewood Ranch in February

Lakewood Ranch's newest golf course will feature 30 holes and a socialized concept.

  • East County
  • Business
Manatee County's Library Advisory Board will reconvene by April.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 21, 2025
Manatee library advisory board set to reconvene

The board hasn't met in over a year but will hold its first meeting by April.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
  • February 4, 2026
Hospital system expands prenatal care access for expecting mothers in need
2
Herb Methodology co-owner Tryla Brown Larson celebrates the launch of her line of locally made products at Longboat Key's Design 2000 Salon on Jan. 29.
  • February 4, 2026
Herb Methodology launches at Design 2000
3
Davin Davidson reeled in 20 offers from NCAA Division I FBS programs from Jan. 20 through 31.
  • February 4, 2026
Cardinal Mooney quarterback's recruitment takes off
4
Golf pro Stephen Arnold succeeded in his goal of playing 100 holes of golf in a single day to benefit families involved with First 1,000 Days Suncoast.
  • February 4, 2026
Golfing feat makes a difference for area families
5
The Lakewood Ranch Garden Club Butterfly Symposium will take place at 9 a.m. on Feb. 7 at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall.
  • February 4, 2026
Butterfly symposium lands at Lakewood Ranch Town Hall

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