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News

The blueberries ripen at different times and are sold at $7/pound.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • April 1, 2025
Blueberry season begins at Manatee County farms

Manatee County is part of Florida's south central blueberry production region, contributing to approximately 25% of the state's commercial blueberry acreage.

  • East County
  • News
The town of Longboat Key's new GIS dashboard gives residents access to data on districts, zoning, condominium construction history and sea level rise predictions.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • April 1, 2025
Longboat Key goes live with new public-facing GIS mapping tools

New GIS databases give residents access to information about evacuation routes, zoning maps and sea level rise estimates.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The KSA Architecture rendering of Saravela shows two towers of varying heights.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • April 1, 2025
Sarasota Planning Board rejects alley vacation for multifamily development

The two-tower Saravela application moves on to the City Commission without an endorsement from the Planning Board, which cited a lack of a site plan in its recommendation to deny the vacation of Fourth Way.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Anne and Frank Folsom Smith in 2013.
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • March 31, 2025
Sarasota architect Frank Folsom Smith dies at age 93

The Virginia transplant designed Plymouth Harbor and helped shape downtown.

  • Arts + Culture
Commissioner Jason Bearden calls the Planning Commission a 'recruitment tool' for developers.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 31, 2025
Manatee County commissioners consider booting planning commissioners

Commissioner Jason Bearden says planning commission seats are used as a recruitment tool toward commission seats.

  • East County
  • News
Sales of Waterside homes, such as this Lakehouse Cove home that sold for $1,775,000 in January, continue to go to contract much faster than the countywide average.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • March 31, 2025
Lakewood Ranch is still a seller's paradise

With its lifestyle draw, Lakewood Ranch has been insulated against trends in other parts of Sarasota and Manatee counties that have seen real estate sales slow down.

  • East County
  • News
A rendering of the pedestrian promenade along North Tamiami Trail, regarded as the "front door" of The Bay park.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 30, 2025
New light shed on the fate of The Bay's Sunset Pier

Requirements by the Army Corps of Engineers for The Bay park's Sunset Pier inflates the cost by some $20 million.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Brianne Brown provides a "Watch Stander" training at Manatee County's Emergency Operations Center March 26.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 30, 2025
Manatee County strives to become a veteran safe place

The county has partnered with The Fire Watch to provide free training so residents can spot veterans in crisis.

  • East County
  • News
Personnel recruiter Rick Conner speaks to the Sarasota City Commission as city Human Resources Director Stacie Mason looks on.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • March 29, 2025
Sarasota city manager search expands to full field of candidates

Dissatisfied with the culled list, the Sarasota City Commission has asked its recruiting firm to provide background materials on all applicants for city manager.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Guest speakers at the 2025 Disaster Preparedness Seminar spoke about the importance of preparedness and collaboration before and after storms.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • March 29, 2025
Speakers recount lessons learned, prep methods at disaster prep seminar

Longboat Key's 2025 Disaster Preparedness Seminar included insights into the town's lessons learned as well as advice from local meteorologists and emergency coordinators.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota County office formed to oversee housing programs
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • March 29, 2025
Sarasota County office formed to oversee housing programs

The Housing Enhancement and Redevelopment Office is accepting applications for block grants and deferred-payment loans.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Prominent Sarasota nonprofit leader to retire after 10 years
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 29, 2025
Prominent Sarasota nonprofit leader to retire after 10 years

Teri Hansen, the president and CEO of Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, was initially hired as the organization's first employee.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Cirque St. Armands Beachside is at 233 Benjamin Franklin Drive on Sarasota's Lido Key.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 28, 2025
Circus-themed hotel opens on Lido Key near St. Armands

Cirque St. Armands Beachside, a 135-room luxury property, pays tribute to Sarasota's history as a circus town with its design and name.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bo Mortensen's dog Rocko stands amid the dust in his Rye Wilderness Estates backyard.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • March 28, 2025
Manatee County revisits construction dust control issue

It's been a year since commissioners first addressed the issue, but residents say not much has changed.

  • East County
  • News
Casey Key suffered extensive damage from the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • March 28, 2025
After a battering from Helene and Milton, Casey Key roars back to life

The past hurricane season hit Casey Key hard. Yet a sign things are getting better lies in the renewal of a popular beach pastime: parking hassles. "The biggest complaint I've seen from people," says one business owner, "is (lack of) beach parking."

  • Siesta Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
St. Lucie County Administrator George Landry has been recommended by Howard Tipton to replace him as town manager as Tipton prepares to retire.
  • June 19, 2026
New town manager recommended for Longboat Key
2
Attendees were impressed by the fireworks across Sarasota Bay.
  • June 19, 2026
Fourth of July 2026 events in Sarasota, Longboat Key and Lakewood Ranch
3
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
  • June 18, 2026
Woman charged in three high-profile Sarasota burglaries
4
Tony Barrett speaks at a candidate forum in April at the Lakewood Ranch Country Club.
  • June 18, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate charged with domestic battery
5
The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.
  • June 18, 2026
Driver dies of injuries in blowout-triggered crash in Sarasota

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