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News

Sarasota County Administrator Jonathan Lewis' compensation package including salary, benefits and pension contribution is $460,000.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 29, 2025
Commissioners lament top county officials' evaluation process

Expressing disdain for the public evaluation process of the county administrator and attorney, Sarasota County commissioners award a token bonus as a tough budget season looms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The meeting chamber at the former Sarasota County Administration Center now stands empty after the final County Commission meeting held there on Oct. 21.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 28, 2025
Sarasota County closes business at 1660 Ringling Blvd.

With staff having vacated in preparation for the final move to its new center, the Sarasota County Commission gaveled out its final meeting on Ringling Boulevard.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Stings from stingrays are considered a defense mechanism.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 28, 2025
Stingray injuries on Longboat Key rise in October

Of the stingray wounds warranting Longboat Key Fire Rescue response this year, two-thirds happened in one month.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Longboat Key Town Commission meets at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 28, 2025
Two enter Longboat Town Commission race

Gary Coffin and Nick Gladding have submitted their names to be in running for Districts 1 and 3, respectively.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Stephen Leatherman, aka “Dr. Beach,” who is director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, ranked Siesta the No. 1 beach in the country in 2011 and 2017.
    By
  • Beth Luberecki
  • October 28, 2025
Siesta Beach returns to the top of the rankings

We all know Siesta Beach is awesome. But here's what goes into those "best beach" rankings — and why they matter.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Longboat Police Chief Russ Mager didn’t start in law enforcement until he was 30 years old.
    By
  • Eric Snider
  • October 28, 2025
Longboat welcomes its new chief

The new Longboat Key police chief takes pride in never accepting the status quo, seeking to always "make things at least a little bit better."

  • Longboat Key
  • News
An extensive project to repair North Casey Key Road is expected to be completed by March 2027.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 28, 2025
Casey Key marches down the road to recovery and resilience

A once-quiet stretch on normally quiet Casey Key is bustling with the early stages of a $44 million road repair project.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Bordering a sidewalk connecting a playground at Bayfront Park to Sarasota Bay is a narrow strip of landscaping that is incorporated into the town’s stormwater system called a bioswale.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • October 27, 2025
Bayfront Park naturally filters stormwater, prevents flooding

More effective than an average drainage ditch, Longboat Key's bioswales at Bayfront Park are an example of environmental stormwater management practices.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob's barricades have found a temporary home outside Lakewood Ranch Town Hall as road crews move them on and off Lakewood Ranch Boulevard as lane closures are required.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 27, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area road projects continue to move forward

Work is wrapping up on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, but lane closures continue on State Road 70 and Upper Manatee River Road.

  • East County
  • News
Caragiulos opened in Mira Mar in 1989.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • October 26, 2025
Caragiulos closes until new downtown Sarasota spot opens in 2026

The Italian restaurant will be moving locations downtown from Palm Avenue to Ringling Boulevard.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Flooding in the area of Celery Fields caused by Tropical Storm Debby in 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • October 25, 2025
Housing development near Celery Fields returns to mediation

The Sarasota County Commission rejected a settlement that would have required a new look at slimmed-down proposal.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota Memorial Hospital is rated sixth best in Florida by Newsweek's Best-in-State 2025 rankings.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • October 24, 2025
Sarasota Memorial Hospital ranked among best in Florida

SMH-Sarasota is ranked the No. 6 hospital in Florida among Newsweek's Best-in-State 2025 list.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Carved Crafted Sandwiches, located at Waterside Place, will serve hot and cold sandwiches, salads, bowls, soups, beer and wine. They will also have grab and go items.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • October 24, 2025
Gourmet sandwich shop to open in Waterside Place at Lakewood Ranch

Owned and operated by Mark and Carrie Botros, Carved Crafted Sandwiches makes its debut early in November.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Overhead utility lines behind commercial buildings on St. Armands Circle.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • October 24, 2025
Sarasota advances plan to bury utility lines on St. Armands, Lido keys

With strong support demonstrated to bury utilities on the barrier islands and enhance lighting in a mainland neighborhood, the City Commission directs staff to proceed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • October 23, 2025
Director of Manatee Technical College Law Enforcement Academy retires

Jay Romine served 33 years in law enforcement and over 12 years as a director at MTC in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Schools
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Latest News

1
Britnie Sutika, CEO Kristie Skoglund, Kimberly Treharne, Paola Pinillos and Kate Reed
  • December 7, 2025
Florida Center for Early Childhood hosts 2nd annual Wonder Gala
2
St. Petersburg's Ella Brown and Sarasota's Mike Chambers take full advantage of the live music to show off their best dance moves at the Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival on Dec. 6.
  • December 7, 2025
Lakewood Ranch music fans aren't crying the blues after festival
3
Students from Sarasota High School's marching band walk in the parade.
  • December 7, 2025
Sarasota's spirit goes on display in the holiday parade
4
Debi and Mike O'Leary take a look at the tree.
  • December 6, 2025
Sarasota annual tree lighting takes place at Selby Five Points
5
Devin Mignery (center) prepares to take the snap during the FHSAA Class 2A state semifinal between Cardinal Mooney and Cocoa. The senior quarterback was inserted for junior Davin Davidson and helped usher the Cougars into the state championship.
  • December 6, 2025
Cardinal Mooney football headed to state championship

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