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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
Longboat Club Road is the first signaled intersection when entering Longboat Key from the south from City Island.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 14, 2026
Roundabout planned for southern gateway to Longboat Key

A roundabout on Longboat Club Road, at the foot of New Pass Bridge, pops up in planning documents but is still a long ways off.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff |
  • May 20, 2026
24th Annual St. Armands Circle Craft Festival

Patrons have the opportunity to personally to meet with the craft artisans, commission work, and learn what inspires the crafter's work.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Richard Frank Wokoun
  • In Memoriam |
  • May 14, 2026
Richard Frank Wokoun

Richard Frank Wokoun, age 69, of Lakewood Ranch, Florida, passed away on April 26, 2026.

  • East County
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Work will soon begin on replacing anbd raising 1,500 linear feet of seawall at the Bayfront Park marina.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 7, 2026
Bayfront Park marina seawall to be rebuilt

The Sarasota City Commission has approved a nearly $5.6 million contract to rebuild the seawall at the marina section of Bayfront Park.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Grant's Gardens has a two-bay garage at 525 Gulf Bay Road, and is proposing to build an office building on the lot across the street at 524 Gulf Bay Road.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 23, 2026
Landscaping company seeks expansion in Longboat Key

An office building proposed on Gulf Bay Road came before the Planning and Zoning Board for review Tuesday, prompting pushback from a neighbor and former employee.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 1, 2026
Citywide speed limits set at 20 mph on local streets

As part of Sarasota's traffic calming plan development, local street speed limits are capped at 20 miles per hour, faster for collector and arterial roads.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Entering this season, Braden River softball hadn't won a district title in seven years. The squad is now two wins away from a state championship.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 14, 2026
Braden River High softball advances to state semifinals

With a wire-to-wire effort from Kaydence Evans, the Pirates are FHSAA Class 5A-3 regional champions.

  • East County
  • Sports
Drivers will need to come to almost a stop to negotiate a planned series of speed bumps on White Eagle Boulevard.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • April 1, 2026
APRIL FOOL: Road proposal due for bumpy ride in Lakewood Ranch

White Eagle raceway about to get major alteration to discourage speeders.

  • April Fools
Florida Statute 1001.42(4)(f)2 will require high schools, including Braden River High (pictured) and Lakewood Ranch High, to start no earlier than 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork and gets accepted to keep the current start times.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 7, 2026
Manatee County School District might fight starting time mandate

A 2025 Florida Statute states high schools cannot start before 8:30 a.m. unless the district submits paperwork to prove such a change causes disruption.

  • East County
  • Schools
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
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
The original 1957 Longboat Key Town Charter is printed on rice paper and stored at Town Hall, along with copies of the original document printed in 1959.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 5, 2026
Charter review presents opportunity for change for Longboat Key

The town is due for its once-a-decade review of its charter, which means a chance to look at bigger policy and governance matters on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Each townhome features a two-car garage and a rooftop terrace.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 20, 2026
Lakewood Ranch development under construction after 20 years of setbacks

Frank Dagostino bought the property in 2020 and vows to see the project through to the end.

  • East County
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort is the only Gulf-facing property on Longboat Key with a private beach groin, constructed decades ago by Colony Beach & Tennis Resort owner Murf Klauber to fight beach erosion.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 12, 2026
St. Regis, town headed to court as Whittall defies order

The developer and owner of the St. Regis Longboat Key Resort says he will fight in court "to whatever extent necessary" to leave the arch that town code enforcement has ordered taken down.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sheila B. Barach
  • In Memoriam |
  • May 21, 2026
Sheila B. Barach

Sheila B. Barach, of Longboat Key, Florida, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 18, 2026, at the age of 93. Sheila

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
The 7-Eleven planned for 44th Avenue West and White Eagle Boulevard will look similar to the 7-Eleven on University Parkway near Lakewood Ranch Boulevard.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 21, 2026
7-Eleven planned for Lakewood Ranch fuels outrage

A gas station and convenience store on the corner of 44th Avenue East and White Eagle Boulevard is anticipated to be under construction before the year's end.

  • East County
  • News
Among the proposals for the Main Street complete street project includes converting dozens of angle parking spaces to parallel parking.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 14, 2026
What should Sarasota's Main Street look like in 20 years?

The public will get its first look at proposed design concepts for the Main Street complete street project at a May 21 workshop.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Alderman Oaks currently has 60 assisted living units. It is seeking to add kitchens to convert them to independent living.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 22, 2026
Assisted-living facility near downtown wins rezoning approval

On second reading, a divided Sarasota City Commission approves Alderman Oaks rezoning without a site plan, opening the door for proposed renovation.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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