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News

A first responder from the Sarasota County Fire Department calls for the evacuation of a "shooting victim" during an active shooter training exercise Jan 30.
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • February 1, 2025
Active shooter training keeps Sarasota's first responders ready

Twice-yearly exercises smooth coordination between fire and law enforcement personnel.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sarasota County issues rabies advisory after raccoon tests positive
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • January 31, 2025
Sarasota County issues rabies advisory after raccoon tests positive

Rabies was found in a raccoon in the Bee Ridge area just outside the Sarasota city limit. The Florida Department of Health-Sarasota County is monitoring.

  • Sarasota
  • News
When temperatures drop to the low 50s or 40s, sea turtles can become cold-stunned and need rehabilitation at a facility like Mote.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 31, 2025
Cold-stunned turtles receive specialized care at Mote Marine

Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium’s recently reopened rehabilitation facility took in the cold-stunned juvenile turtles for care from the east coast of Florida.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Commissioners Tal Siddique, George Kruse and Dr. Bob McCann listen to a caller during the Jan. 28 commission meeting.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2025
Discussions continue around possible east Manatee County building moratorium

Developments east of county utilities, fluoride in the water and speeding tickets are all on track to be limited.

  • East County
  • News
A view of the courtyard area of the Colson Hotel from the adjacent property where developer JDMax plans to build an infill residential development.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 30, 2025
Colson Hotel purchase ensures preservation of Black history landmark

A coalition acquired the century-old former hotel for Black residents in the Rosemary District from a developer with plans sell it for adaptive reuse.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gulf Drive is indistinguishable from the beach on Anna Maria Island following Hurricane Helene.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 30, 2025
Manatee County to receive over $252 million for disaster recovery

Residents will have 30 days to weigh in on the project plans.

  • East County
  • News
Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee's Maribeth Phillips and Daybreak Adult Day Center's Stefanie Guido hope the community continues to support the programs in 2025.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • January 29, 2025
Challenges remain imposing for Meals on Wheels Plus-Manatee

COVID, inflation and hurricanes leave more residents than ever in need of food and support.

  • East County
  • News
A freestanding emergency room is now open at 7250 University Parkway.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • January 29, 2025
Lakewood Ranch-area medical services expand with population

Hospital and safety officials say more facilities can mean better outcomes for the patients due to proximity.

  • East County
  • News
The town's wastewater system relies on lift stations and the control panels attached to each one.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 29, 2025
Town aims to upgrade resiliency of lift stations on island

The lift stations, which control water and wastewater flow on the island, needed to be replaced after the latest hurricanes, costing the town about $800,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Just off the Legacy Trail north of Bahia Vista Street, the entire neighborhood was flooded from rain from Hurricane Debby.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 29, 2025
Breach may be main culprit of Hurricane Debby flooding in Sarasota

A breach discovered east of Interstate 75 combined with more than a foot of rain to brought catastrophic flooding to miles along Phillippi Creek during Debby.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A rendering shows the terrace, which would be a possible enhancement to the Sarasota County library.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 29, 2025
Longboat Key has new April deadline for library fundraising

The town now has until the end of April to raise the $3.5 million needed for an enhanced version of a Sarasota County library.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A March 2022 development concept plan for the planned Lakewood Ranch Southeast property. (Image via Sarasota County)
    By
  • Jim DeLa
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota County approves plan for major Lakewood Ranch expansion

Schroeder-Manatee Ranch plans to develop 5,000 homes on 4,100 acres near Old Miakka as Lakewood Ranch Southeast.

  • East County
  • News
The Sarasota County criminal justice campus area map shows city- and county-owned parcels.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • January 28, 2025
Sarasota county jail expansion could cost upward of $700 million

Already well in excess of operational capacity, county commissioners learn an expansion of the county jail will likely cost a least a half billion dollars.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A funding source is one of the challenges in developing a canal maintenance program.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 28, 2025
Commissioners choose not to impose canal maintenance tax in 2025

Still lacking an agreed-upon taxing method and not wanting to impose an additional tax after hurricanes, the commission decided to push the program down the road.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brista Commons on Longboat Key is expected to finish construction in fall 2025.
    By
  • Carter Weinhofer
  • January 28, 2025
Brista Commons likely to finish construction this fall

The 14,000 square feet of commercial space will take about a year to complete construction, which started in November 2024.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt
2
Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up
3
Ben Milliken is the all-time leading passer in program history for Sarasota Christian football. Now, he's the first Blazer headed to an NCAA Division I program.
  • May 7, 2026
Sarasota Christian quarterback caps legacy with history-making commitment
4
The home at 843 Norsta Way was built in 1963 and has two bedrooms, two baths, a pool and 2,467 square feet of living area.
  • May 7, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for April 20-24 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis
5
A rendering of the street level of 1260 North Palm Residences.
  • May 7, 2026
Condo tower controversy appears headed back to mediation

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