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Results for:

Triple Oak Preserve in Myakka City is one of the purchases Manatee County made using funds collected from the 2020 referendum.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 12, 2026
Environmental lands referendum one step closer to 2026 ballot

Manatee County commissioners were presented with four funding options to acquire additional lands and development rights.

  • East County
  • News
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
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
Beginning June 1, 2026, parking fees will be enforced in all city parking decks, such as the St. Armands Circle garage, 24/7.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 7, 2026
Paid city parking hours extended and fines for violations increased

To achieve solvency in Sarasota's Parking Division, the City Commission extends enforcement hours and increases fines with changes beginning June 1, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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 Key Fire Rescue received a grant for an extra set of protective equipment that will allow firefighters to wash equipment after every fire.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 29, 2026
Fire department receives new protective equipment thanks to grant

The 35 sets of gloves and neck protectors will allow Longboat Key Fire Rescue to wash equipment without down time.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bay Park Conservancy Founding CEO AG Lafley makes his case to the Sarasota County Commission for funding Phase 3 work at The Bay Park.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 29, 2026
Sarasota County takes cautious approach to The Bay park funding

Rather than commit to a funding its portion of the The Bay Phase 3 project, the Sarasota County Commission approved half its share of the fiscal year 2027 debt service payment from TIF funds.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An overflow parking lot with 10 spots is open during the day at Bayfront Park accessible via Gulf of Mexico Drive.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 3, 2026
Bayfront Park neighbors express frustrations over parking, litter and more

Residents near Longboat Key’s Bayfront Park have raised the issue with town leaders, who have urged residents to report code violations.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 6, 2026
Sarasota superintendent: District working to find spots for unassigned teachers

Currently, 136 teacher roles are unassigned in the district.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
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
The proposed site of a city-owned attainable housing development across First Street from City Hall. The red X marks the location of the city's credit union office, which is now being considered for purchase by the city.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 30, 2026
City works to add parcel to workforce housing project

At its April 6 meeting, the Sarasota City Commission will be asked for input on a staff proposal to purchase a third parcel on First Street for a city-led workforce housing project.

  • 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
Helga Williams
  • In Memoriam |
  • April 9, 2026
Helga Williams

Helga Williams, 84, passed away peacefully on March 27, 2026, in Siesta Key, Florida.

  • Sarasota
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Raising roads in several Longboat Key neighborhoods is a priority for town leaders, but paying for the neighborhood resiliency projects is a more difficult ask than originally anticipated with a new $30 million price tag.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 27, 2026
Town forms 'steady as we go' budget as revenues uncertain

The 2027 fiscal year budget formation process continued with a strategic planning retreat meeting April 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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
Shoreline damage at Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is among the nearly $40 million in city recovery expenses left behind by the 2024 hurricane season.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 4, 2026
City staff to hold budget steady for next fiscal year

A fund balance shortfall of $4.3 million has prompted Sarasota officials to instruct departments to trim operating costs and suspend capital purchases.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The town of Longboat Key is taking steps to condemn and demolish the house at 6541 Gulfside Road, nicknamed the Half Moon House.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 20, 2026
Town sends compliance agreement to Half Moon house owner

The town of Longboat Key proposed a June 1 deadline for repairs to avoid forced demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program serves kids ages 6 to 16.
  • By Emily Leinfuss |
  • May 18, 2026
Kids learn lessons on and off the water at Manatee River Youth Sailing Program

The Manatee River Youth Sailing Program is rebuilding — focused on access, community and the future of youth sailing.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The Stickney Point Road property contains commercial condominiums, 700 feet of bay frontage and 390 feet of canal/boat basin access.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 6, 2026
Nearly $21M Stickney Point project moves forward

Sarasota County commissioners authorized the acquisition and loan to finance the property purchase.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
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