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Results for:

From left, Assistant County Administrator Brad Johnson, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and County Commissioners Teresa Mast, Ron Cutsinger, Mark Smith, Joe Neunder and Tom Knight flank Matt Osterhoudt as he cuts the ribbon at the new development services one stop shop.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 15, 2026
New county building consolidates development services staff

The ribbon is cut to open the new Sarasota County Planning and Development Services "one stop shop" in east county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Couch LBK co-founders Noel Ladd — who happened to be celebrating his birthday — and Ken Rushing connect with community members at the entrance to the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat social. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce organized the April 14 networking event at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 18, 2026
Meet Greet Eat welcomes new businesses on Longboat Key

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted its 20th annual event to help residents and local businesses connect.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Nishesh Basavareddy extends for a backhand return. The 20-year-old American was one of the biggest rising talents who competed at this year's Sarasota Open from April 5-12 at IMG Academy.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 15, 2026
Sarasota Open finally finds the right home

The ATP Challenger Tour event was held at IMG Academy this year after six different stops since its 2008 debut.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Tara Poulton and Ed Ference are two of the four candidates vying for the Republican nomination in District 6.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 19, 2026
Manatee commission candidates face off in Lakewood Ranch

District 6 candidates spoke their minds about roundabouts, campaign contributions and more.

  • East County
  • News
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard

Benderson Development makes its first appearance before city staff on an application for zoning changes at the former Sarasota County Administration Center.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Condos and single-family homes for sale dot the map of downtown Sarasota and its adjacent neighborhoods.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • March 18, 2026
Sarasota, Manatee real estate market a mixed bag

Prices are up but not everywhere.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Gary Love of Gary Love Photography shows an art festival-goer how the various places the light hits the shell-covered beach give the up-close image depth. He was one of several new artists featured at the Feb. 21-22 art festival on Longboat Key.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 26, 2026
Art show upcoming this weekend

The Longboat Key Festival of the Arts returns to the Town Center Green this weekend.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Conference Chair Katherine De Young shows off a winning image. She created the photo using mannequin heads. It was featured in the 2019 "Embracing our Differences" exhibit in Sarasota.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 11, 2026
Manatee Technical College to host photography conference

The conference will feature 30 award-winning photographers and the latest photography equipment.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Lobbyists for the town of Longboat Key video called in to update Longboat Key Town Commission on state and federal legislation at a workshop meeting Tuesday, Feb. 17.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 23, 2026
Longboat leaders receive updates on property tax reform

Lobbyists updated the Longboat Key Town Commission on potential property tax reform in Tallahassee and appropriations in Washington.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 17, 2026
Temple members encouraged to reflect at outdoor art exhibit

Members of Temple Beth Israel of Longboat Key took a guided tour of the downtown Sarasota exhibit, 'Embracing Our Differences.'

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Rotary Club of Longboat Key President Terri Driver presents awards to members Ellen Greenberger, Carol Erker and Belinda Bauer for not only contributing their hours, but also offering financial support to the Rotary's mission over the years. Driver presented the awards at their Jan. 6 meeting, which featured guest speaker Charlie Mopps from Public Works.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 13, 2026
Public Works looks to past and future of storm management

Longboat Key Public Works Director Charlie Mopps appeared as the Rotary Club's latest guest speaker, giving insights into how the department operates.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Artist Ena Jasmin Carroll credited her friend and fellow artist Pat Lundy with bringing her in for the second annual Artists in the Garden last weekend at Longboat Island Chapel. A dozen local artists showcased and sold their works at the two-day event.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 13, 2026
Local creatives participate in return of Artists in the Garden

Artists working in innovative styles brought their talents to the second annual Artists in the Garden, part of a month-long celebration.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
The Longboat Pass drawbridge opens anywhere from 100 to 300 times per month, according to an FDOT engineering study.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 29, 2026
Town reiterates stance against fixed-span bridge

About two years after Longboat Key Mayor Ken Schneier sent a letter to FDOT advocating against a fixed-span bridge, newly picked Mayor Debra Williams has done the same.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 9, 2026
Senior public housing expansion remains $4 million short

With $8 million already pledged for public parking, the Sarasota City Commission declines adding $4 million for SHA's McCown Towers funding gap.

  • Sarasota
  • News
This map shows the potential routes considered to replace the aging metal subaqueous wastewater pipeline which connects Longboat Key's wastewater to a Manatee County treatment center across Sarasota Bay. The line in solid light green is the route that was chosen, and the solid red and purple lines show where the existing pipe is located.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • March 8, 2026
Town to apply for loan for subaqueous project

Longboat Key is making moves in preparation for the beginning of the subaqueous wastewater pipeline replacement, expected to break ground this summer.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 1, 2026
APRIL FOOL: Itching to promote native plants

The town of Longboat Key is planning to replant storm-damaged areas with Eastern Poison Ivy as its latest beautification initiative.

  • April Fools
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition

DragoonBoot Quartet premieres Roger Zare's piece at an Artist Series Concert event on April 12.

  • Arts + Culture
Manatee County extends its burn ban until further notice to protect residents and animals from wildfires. This photo was taken by the East Manatee Fire Rescue in June 2024 when over 100 acres burned at Lake Manatee State Park.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • February 20, 2026
Manatee County extends burn ban as drought worsens

East Manatee Fire Rescue is urging residents to abide by the burn ban to protect their neighbors.

  • East County
  • News
Theo Chien and Peter Ginsburg test out their fire helmets at the Longboat Key Fire Rescue open house on March 25 at Station 92. The pair picked out some fire station-themed toys while meeting first responder staff at the annual event.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 27, 2026
Longboat families connect with first responders

Visitors of all ages got the chance to check out new first responder equipment and the big rigs at the Station 92 open house.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A rendering of the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • February 3, 2026
Solid bond ratings fuel further health care system expansion

Thanks to favorable ratings that cut the cost of borrowing, Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is funding more than $1 billion in expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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