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News

Commissioner Jason Bearden sits in his office at the Manatee County Administration Building.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 28, 2024
Jason Bearden says he is taking a stand against unsupported development

The Manatee County at-large commissioner says he wants roads built first.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota Military Academy is one of six schools in Sarasota that will have speed detection cameras in the school zone.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 27, 2024
School zone speed cameras activate Jan. 6

Speeds outside of six Sarasota schools will be monitored by speed detection devices resulting in $100 fines for offenders.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The KSA Architecture rendering of Saravela shows two towers of varying heights.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 27, 2024
Downtown mixed-use development will straddle zoning districts

Saravela is planned for 1.7 acres at North Tamiami Trail between Fourth and Fifth streets. At 11 and 18 stories it will be split by Downtown Bayfront and Downtown Core.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The sidewalks and shoulders of the Cortez Bridge will experience closures during Manatee County's utility relocation project.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 27, 2024
Utility relocation for Cortez Bridge project will continue through 2025

The work will likely close the shoulder areas of the Cortez Bridge area intermittently through the year.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Friends Laura Salata and Melissa Monoki are preparing to open a brand-new BODYBAR Pilates studio in Lakewood Ranch on Jan. 20.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 26, 2024
New Year's resolution leads to new Lakewood Ranch Pilates studio

Two friends mix community and exercise with new Bodybar Pilates location.

  • East County
  • Business
The Dallas and Elizabeth Dort Residence Hall is among the buildings on the New College East campus adjacent to Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 23, 2024
2024: Sarasota by the numbers

From hurricane damage to government legal fees, here are some of the most notable figures in 2024.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A mini-park is a key feature of The Bay park Phase 2 Cultural District.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 22, 2024
Update on The Bay becomes object lesson in resilience

Bay Park Conservancy's AG Lafley tells County Commission native Florida outperforms the built environment as The Bay park never closed after Hurricane Milton.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Paid parking on St. Armands and Lido keys, including the St. Armands Garage, will resume on Jan. 2, 2025.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 21, 2024
Paid parking to resume on St. Armands, Lido keys

Suspended since back-to-back hurricanes, the paid parking program on the barrier islands will resume Jan. 2, 2025.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Waffle Stop owner Dolly Hollinger, seen here in December 2020.
    By
  • Mark Gordon, Louis Llovio
  • December 20, 2024
The Waffle Stop, Sarasota 'Elvis Ate Here' restaurant, to close by end of 2024

A Sarasota institution, The Waffle Stop, is closing after 74 years.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
2024: Longboat by the numbers
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 20, 2024
2024: Longboat by the numbers

From hurricanes to high ticket sales, here are some of the numbers that defined the year on Longboat Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Video taken from a doorbell camera shows two people allegedly stealing packages from a Lakewood Ranch home. The Manatee County Sherif's Office has made two arrests in the case.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 19, 2024
Suspected Lakewood Ranch porch pirates arrested

The Bradenton suspects were seen on doorbell video, deputies say.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 19, 2024
City reveals vision for reimagined Main Street

Wider sidewalks, less parking and greater streetside activity are among the priorities as the city develops plans for a cohesive Main Street through downtown Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A member of the SPD Underwater Search and Recovery Team, whose identity is concealed, with the recovered firearm tossed into Whitaker Bayou by a fleeing teen arrested in connection with a string of e-bike thefts.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 18, 2024
Two arrested in string of e-bike thefts

Two juveniles were taking into custody on Tuesday during an undercover operation to recover a stolen bike, one on a weapons charge.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Athletics and Aquatics Center at Premier Sports Campus North is expected to be complete by summer 2026.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 18, 2024
Swim and pickleball center at Premier North nears groundbreaking

Manatee County expects the facility to break ground by February and to be finished by summer 2026.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering by SB Architects of the west (right) and east towers proposed to replace the Hyatt Regency hotel adjacent to The Quay.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 18, 2024
Hyatt Regency redevelopment wins critical Planning Board adjustment

To accommodate its planned two towers with a single motorcourt access, Kolter Urban needs to move the access point eastward off Boulevard of the Arts for its redevelopment of the Hyatt Rregency site.

  • Sarasota
  • 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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