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News

Thousands are expected for the annual New Year's Eve Pineapple Drop Celebration.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 29, 2025
Police issue advisory on New Year's parking, drinking, shooting

Sarasota's signature Pineapple Drop takes place at the height of a 12-hour downtown celebration.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Florida Department of Transportation crews had removed the Gulf of Mexico Drive sign from the intersection at Bay Isles Parkway.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 29, 2025
2025: Longboat Key by the numbers

2025 was an eventful year on the 11-mile island, with much higher numbers dominating headlines.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The pool in Taylor Morrison's Esplanade at Azario development in Sarasota's Lakewood Ranch community.
    By
  • Anastasia Dawson
  • December 26, 2025
Builder to bring 1,200-home community to Lakewood Ranch

Homebuilder Taylor Morrison acquired land to build its new Esplanade at Cammaray community of 1,200 homes and condos.

  • East County
  • News
Selby Gardens Master Plan Phase 2 Learning Pavilion Interior rendering.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 25, 2025
Selby Gardens' renovations add to appeal while keeping mission in mind

Resilience, education and preservation are the prime objectives as the second phase of its master plan reinvention take Marie Selby Botanical Gardens closer to achieving its "potential."

  • Sarasota
  • News
Irrigation systems that source from groundwater on barrier islands can lead to salinity issues during droughts as sea water seeps into the aquifer.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 24, 2025
Drought can salt lawns, impact irrigation on barrier islands

As the area enters a severe drought, irrigation practices can worsen the cycle of depleting freshwater in aquifers.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Todd Mathes of Benderson Development explains the company's plans for reimagining of the former Sarasota County Administration Center site.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 23, 2025
Laurel Park residents question plans for Sarasota County's former base

A community meeting brought many questions about Benderson Development's upcoming request to rezone 1 acre of the Ringling Boulevard property downtown.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County commissioners approve reducing speed limits throughout the county.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 22, 2025
Speed limits reduced on nine roads in Manatee County

Manatee commissioners voted to reduce speeds due to safety concerns.

  • East County
  • News
The library will be constructed on the light green area depicted on this map within Longboat Key's Town Center Green. The entire library would be around 11,230 square feet with the possible enhancements.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 22, 2025
Buchanan's $1 million donation formally accepted for library

Longboat Key's planned facility will be named for U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan and his wife, Sandra.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial

Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute at Sarasota Memorial Hospital is seeking candidates diagnosed with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer for global clinical trial.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust

Demond L. Smith, 33, is charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor, including trafficking in cocaine.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat

Sarasota and Longboat Key both experienced traffic tie-ups during the lunch hour.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair

Ron Cutsinger will serve as chair of the Sarasota County Commission in 2026 and Mark Smith will serve as vice chair.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

Work to replace the modular speed humps at St. Armands Circle with asphalt speed tables will begin mid-January.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man

The local victim was the woman's ex-husband, but a second ex-husband also was found dead in Tampa.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Police Department personnel monitor Sarasota's network of cameras, license plate readers, gunshot detectors and other devices in the nearly completed Real-Time Operations Center.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2025
Police foil developing bank scam as it unfolds

The Sarasota Police Department's Real-Time Operations Center quickly solves a scam involving a bank, credit card and ride share driver.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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Temple Beth Israel named Suzan and Barry Friedman as this year's honorees for its 47th annual gala happening this month.
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Property tax issue is a big one for Longboaters
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