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Results for:

School Board Member Heather Felton took off her blazer during the May 5 workshop to show her sleeveless shirt is appropriate for students in the Florida heat.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 18, 2026
Manatee Schools to re-evaluate dress code guidelines

School board members and school community members debate what the dress code should be and whether school uniforms are an option.

  • East County
  • Schools
Instructor Suzy Brenner leads her "Stretch and Strengthen" class for the first official activity following The Paradise Center reopening on Sept. 29 at Longboat Island Chapel.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 14, 2026
The Paradise Center expands digital classes

New livestreams of movement classes will be available online to members of the community center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
School district demands repayment of tax fees
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • May 8, 2026
School district demands repayment of tax fees

The Sarasota County Commission votes to resume paying the tax collector's 2% commission fee and questions the fee itself.

  • Sarasota
  • News
A floating day dock has been built along the refurbished south seawall in the 10th Street boat basin as part of The Bay park Phase 2.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
No fees for day docks at The Bay park

Use of federal funds to build day docks at The Bay means the city cannot charge boaters, but a time limit remains in effect.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key has dozens of canals, 88 according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 13, 2026
Canal payment plan gets first approval by Longboat commission

The first of two votes passed unanimously to establish flat fees and ad-valorem assessments to dredge and maintain Longboat Key's canals.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
City of Anna Maria Mayor Mark Short shares an update on the Anna Maria Pier to Longboat Key Mayor Debra Williams (left) and Longboat Key Town Manager Howard Tipton (right) at a Barrier Island Elected Officials meeting May 6.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 18, 2026
Barrier island mayors meet to discuss pier, parking and phone pings

The mayors of Longboat Key, Anna Maria and Holmes Beach met May 6 to discuss issues facing the barrier islands and projects that are underway or planned.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Gia DePastino was one of five seniors on the Sailors' 13-person roster in 2026. She'll play for Warner University at the NAIA level this fall.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 20, 2026
Despite regional final defeat, Sarasota High softball succeeded

The Sailors posted their most wins in over a decade and were district champions this season under a new coach.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Saravela and the Sports Club at TPC Prestancia are pertnering for the mutual benefit of condo owners and club members.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 9, 2026
Condo development partners with country club for shared benefits

Saravela developer GSP is teaming up with Heritage Golf Group for free membership at Sports Club at TPC Prestancia, special condo purchase benefits.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The 1.2-mile stretch of North Tamiami Trail from Myrtle Street north will be resurfaced and safety features enhanced.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 20, 2026
Resurfacing on the way to North Tamiami Trail

The city of Sarasota has entered into a local agency program agreement with FDOT to repave 1.24 miles of U.S. 41 north of Myrtle Street.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Spring break helped bring an year-over-year increase in tourism to Sarasota County in March.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 11, 2026
Tourism sees increase of visitors in March

March 2026 brought an increase in tourists, but not spending, to Sarasota County compared to the year prior.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This parking lot at Plymouth Harbor will be the site of its planned expansion.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 18, 2026
City Commission agenda includes citywide speed limit and parking fee discussion

In addition to discussions about speed limits citywide and parking fees, the Sarasota City Commission consider hiring a noise consultant and hear about possible impacts of property tax reform.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Surrounded by members of the Leadership Sarasota Class of 2026, staff from Save Our Seabirds and a cloud of confetti, Lisa Charles cuts the ribbon at the unveiling of an updated outdoor space at the bird sanctuary.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 27, 2026
Leadership Sarasota spruces up Save Our Seabirds space

With the sponsorship and hands-on work of local leaders, the bird sanctuary has a new look for its outdoor education center and landscaping.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park

With a time frame for completion in 2029, planning has begun for Phase 3 projects to expand boater access, build a parking deck and convert acres of asphalt into green space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Lessons on how not to do it
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • May 13, 2026
Lessons on how not to do it

The Sarasota tax collector-school board dispute has reached a partial resolution. Taking the high road can bring it to the best ending.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?
  • By Adrian Moore, Nicole Shekhovtsova |
  • May 6, 2026
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

Legislators are passing laws to verify the age of social media users — but does it inadvertently require these sites to keep more data than necessary?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
  • By Mike Moran |
  • May 3, 2026
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County

While waiting for the attorney general to rule on a disagreement over how to implement state law, costly litigation could have been avoided.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
  • By Letter to the editor |
  • May 20, 2026
Take a long look at contributions

East County Observer Editor writes fiction

  • East County
  • Opinion
Samantha Bennett and George Nickson are the co-founders and co-artistic directors of ensembleNewSRQ.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • May 13, 2026
Two Sarasota arts groups team up to present an opera for our times

Artist Series Concerts and ensembleNewSRQ join forces for Matthew Aucoin's "Music for New Bodies."

  • Arts + Culture
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