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News

Lakewood Ranch CERT Director of Community Outreach Jim Curran said he wants the organization to be more involved in the community to spread awareness before disaster strikes.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • December 9, 2024
Busy hurricane season enforces need for community aid

Lakewood Ranch Community Emergency Response Team will focus on growing awareness before disasters hit.

  • East County
  • News
Florida Studio Theatre Arts Plaza will be built next door to the current building on First Street.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 9, 2024
FST's expansion has first meeting before city staff

Florida Studio Theatre is proposing apartments, hotel rooms, parking deck and new performance spaces in its new Arts Plaza.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The vehicle crashed into the side of the office around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • December 8, 2024
Car crashes into side of Main Street office building

The crash took place around 4 p.m. Sunday at an office space occupied by First Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Members of Longboat Key Turtle Watch met Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium staff to present this year's donations to the facility.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 8, 2024
LBK Turtle Watch donates $10,500 to Mote for education, research

The local organization raises money throughout the year through various programs to help its partners at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The study area for the Main Street Complete Streets project.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 8, 2024
Main Street vision community meeting set for Dec. 17

Initial concepts for the Main Street Complete Streets project will be revealed at the Selby Public Library.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulfside Road, which is usually flooded with large storms, was no different in Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 7, 2024
Resiliency projects likely to rise in priority for Longboat Key after hurricanes

Town staff calculated financial hits from Hurricanes Helene and Milton and anticipate that resiliency will be top of mind for commissioners' future planning.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • December 7, 2024
Bay Runner service to Lido Key to resume Wednesday

The Bay Runner trolley will restart its route to Ted Sperling Park on Dec. 11 as parking enforcement along Benjamin Franklin Drive will also resume.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Ripped-up drywall in Carolyn Wedekind's house shows how high the water rose during Hurricane Helene's storm surge.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 5, 2024
Longboat ordinance eliminates permit requirement for drywall repair

The emergency ordinance was passed to eliminate a permit requirement, making it easier for single-family property owners to repair drywall after the hurricanes.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Morgan Rudloff looks at "Peace Within" after the sculpture's head collapsed, and the artists finished it off with a crown during the Siesta Key Crystal Classic sand sculpting.
    By
  • Elizabeth King
  • December 5, 2024
Sarasota County tourism 'normalizing' post-pandemic, optimistic for 2025

After a pandemic-era travel boom, Sarasota is seeing a return to normal, market researchers say, with indications of an uptick in some segments of travelers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Cross Street is a one-block, one-way street between South Pineapple and South Orange avenues.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 5, 2024
Cross Street right of way remains vacated by the city

Jen Ahearn-Koch motioned and was the only vote in favor of rescinding the Sarasota City Commission's Nov. 4 approval to vacate right of way to developer Orange Pineapple.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Bob Bender, Adam Myara, Albert Myara and Bruce Mahnke own Ed's Tavern and McGrath's Kitchen & Cocktails on Main Street.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 4, 2024
Main Street at Lakewood Ranch gets fresh look before 20th anniversary

New restaurants and reimagined dining aim at enticing new customers as Main Street at Lakewood Ranch heads into its 20th anniversary year.

  • East County
  • News
Manatee County is seeking applicants for its Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • December 4, 2024
Manatee County seeking advisory board applicants

Positions are open on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board and the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee.

  • East County
  • News
The location of the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and expansion are outlined in red.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2024
New space on the way for Sarasota County Sheriff's Office

The Sarasota County Commission approved $35 million for headquarters expansion and a new helicopter hangar.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Purple Ribbon Committee has until June 30, 2025 to submit its report on suggestions for repurposing the Van Wezel Peforming Arts Hall.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • December 4, 2024
Van Wezel group shifts to discussion mode as sunset looms

The city's Purple Ribbon Committee has until the end of June to complete its report on repurposing of the performing arts hall as its chair resigns.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The roundabout at Gulf of Mexico Drive and Broadway Street is intended to improve safety at the intersection.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • December 4, 2024
Town updates transportation wish list

Longboat Key commissioners continue advocating to the regional Metropolitan Planning Organization for four town projects.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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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