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News

Commissioners Mike Rahn and Tal Siddique vote against terminating the contract with Red Speed.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 11, 2025
Manatee commissioners shut down speed cameras, fine collections continue

A motion by Commissioner Robert McCann to refund $100 citations was changed to terminate the speed detecting program entirely.

  • East County
  • News
Learning from previous disasters like Hurricanes Helene and Milton will likely be a topic at Longboat Key's Disaster Preparedness Seminar on March 26.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 11, 2025
Longboat Key disaster prep seminar set for March 26

Guests will hear from a panel of guest speakers about emergency preparedness during one of the island's most well-attended events.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gulfside Road, which is usually flooded with large storms, was no different in Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 11, 2025
Longboat Key updates resiliency plan after back-to-back hurricanes

The 2025 revision includes updated information about the town's progress toward resiliency goals and how the hurricanes changed some aspects of the plan.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation is helping Manatee County upgrade the ball hockey rink at Lakewood Ranch Park with an $87,000 donation.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 10, 2025
Tampa Bay Lighting adds upgrades to Lakewood Ranch hockey rink

The Tampa Bay Lightning Foundation donated $87,000 to Manatee County to make improvements to the outdoor rink.

  • East County
  • News
The former Checkers location at East Ave. and Ringling Blvd. will be the site of a seven-story building with 22 apartments and a street-level restaurant.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 10, 2025
Plan submitted for Sarasota Checkers site redevelopment

The plan to build 22 apartments and a restaurant on the former Checkers site at East Avenue and Ringling Boulevard raised the question: When is a wall not considered building?

  • Sarasota
  • News
City hosts free public document shredding event
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 9, 2025
City hosts free public document shredding event

Shred Stock will be held Saturday, March 15 at the Van Wezel parking lot.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Housing Authority CEO William Russell addresses the Sarasota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 6, 2025
Sarasota Housing Authority building affordability without the stigma

William Russell arrived 20 years ago to lead Sarasota Housing Authority from insolvency to a robust provider of diverse affordable housing opportunities for a healthy mix of incomes. His short-term assignment became a career of compassion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A Renzo Piano Building Workshop conceptual rendering of the Sarasota Performing Arts Center as viewed from the 10th Street Canal.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 6, 2025
SPAC business plan: Many more events, $4M annual operating deficit

Sarasota Performing Arts Foundation calls the projected revenue gap typical of performance halls and is confident philanthropy will cover the difference.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The view along Main Street west of Palm Avenue. The Downtown Master Plan Update committee will provide a guiding document to future development in the downtown area.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 6, 2025
Downtown Master Plan Committee kicks off with procurement debate

Led by chairman Howard Davis, some of the 13-member Sarasota Downtown Master Plan Update Committee challenge the process of selecting a consultant to help guide the update of the 2020 plan.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lorrie Muldowney listens during her March 3 appearance before the Sarastota City Commission.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 5, 2025
Historic status suggested for Van Wezel

A historic preservation advocate pitches the Sarasota City Commission to pursue an application to the National Register of Historic Places for the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The courtyard area at Sarasota City Hall will be renovated, the fountain repaired and the entire area fenced in.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 5, 2025
City Hall fountain and courtyard to be fenced

Sarasota city commissioners determine an outdoor patio space at City Hall does not constitute a public park in deciding to secure the area as part of a $625,000 repair and renovation contract.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Like in previous elections, the town clerk's office will offer treats to early voters.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 5, 2025
Longboat Key early voting has begun

Early voting takes place at Longboat Key Town Hall for the town election that includes a commission race, a referendum and charter amendments.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A 1,500-foot driveway divides the forest at Triple Oak Preserve, Manatee County's latest acquisition through its Environmental Lands Program.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 5, 2025
Manatee's environmental lands program continues tedious process

After purchasing three properties in four years, the ELMAC program is currently negotiating 11 purchases and two easements.

  • East County
  • News
The center turn lane would benefit drivers entering Country Club Shores.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 5, 2025
Country Club Shores voice concerns over planned turn lanes

Residents of Longboat Key neighborhoods Country Club Shores have mixed feelings about the addition of raised, curbed medians to some of the lanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A speed detecting camera sits in front of Tara Elementary School.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 4, 2025
Speed cameras turned off in Manatee County school zones

Commissioners voted 5-2 to terminate the program that issued over 55,000 citations since August.

  • East County
  • 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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