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Results for:

A conceptual rendering of the planned expansion of Plymouth Harbor. The new residential tower is at the right.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 25, 2026
Rezoning clears the way for Plymouth Harbor expansion

Rezoning will permit Plymouth Harbor continuing care retirement community will build 153 new independent living apartments at its campus on Coon Key.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Edward Lyon, Excel Empire's chief tax planner and the 'funniest tax guy in America,' shares tips with residents as they gear up for tax season at a March 10 workshop at Lido Beach Resort.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 18, 2026
America's 'Funniest Tax Guy' offers tips to Longboaters

Ahead of the approaching tax season, finance expert Edward Lyon held a workshop with book co-author Michael Jaspan.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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
  • By Observer Staff |
  • March 26, 2026
2026 general summer camps in Sarasota, Manatee

Check out the general camps available in Sarasota and Manatee counties this summer.

  • Summer Fun Guide
The Citizen Tax Oversight Committee meets once a year to review expenditures of revenue brought in from the infrastructure surtax. The 2026 meeting lasted about 15 minutes on Thursday, April 2.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 6, 2026
Longboat infrastructure tax spending plan comes up $6 million short

A 1% tax in Sarasota County and .5% tax in Manatee brings in about $1.3 million per year for Longboat Key infrastructure spending.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Gary and Keely Siebein of Siebein Acoustic present their sound study proposal to the Sarasota City Commission.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • March 26, 2026
Firm hired to study the 'soundscape of Sarasota'

Siebein Acoustic of Gainesville has been contracted by the City Commission to map out Sarasota's audible characteristics as they apply to the recently approved noise ordinance.

  • Sarasota
  • 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
"Anne Packard: An Artist's Resolve" screens at the Sarasota Film Festival on Sunday, April 12, with the artist and director Arthur Egeli in attendance.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • April 1, 2026
The 2026 Sarasota Film Festival takes flight

The fest offers premieres, parties, Q&As, celebrity sightings and even a fish fry.

  • Arts + Culture
Gabriella Martinez Reyes, a junior at Lakewood Ranch High School, has been named president of the Florida Future Business Leaders of America. This makes her the first of Manatee County.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • March 31, 2026
LRHS junior named president for Florida's Future Business Leaders of America

Gabriella Martinez Reyes will lead 11,000 members of Florida Future Business Leaders of America.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Vision Source |
  • April 23, 2026
A Local Eyecare Practice with a Vision

When Dr. Troy Bedinghaus opened his first Vision Source eyecare practice in 2004, he had a clear picture of how he wanted it to stand out.

  • Health
Sponsored Content
Analysts at SPD's Real Time Operations Center monitor multiple cameras, sensors and other devices spread throughout the city.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 30, 2026
Annual crime rates in Sarasota continue to decline

In presenting the annual Sarasota Police Department crime report, Chief Rex Troche said the department is "just right" to be effective.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nearly every member of the Sarasota Ballet will be on stage for “Checkmate” May 1-2 at the Sarasota Opera House.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • April 22, 2026
Sarasota Ballet stages a dramatic death dance in 'Checkmate'

The Black Queen battles the Red Knight in Dame Nanette de Valois' chess-inspired ballet.

  • Arts + Culture
Christina Mei Chen and Dekyi Ronge discover a novel way of increasing their bee population in Urbanite Theatre's "The Apiary."
  • By Marty Fugate |
  • March 29, 2026
With survival at stake, beekeepers face an ethical quandary in 'The Apiary'

Director Summer Dawn Wallace finds sharp satire in a near-future bee-pocalypse at Urbanite Theatre.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
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
Commissioner Mike Rahn is running for reelection in Manatee County's District 4.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 27, 2026
Manatee County commissioner says he has more work to do in District 4

Mike Rahn says he will be knocking on as many doors as possible to find out residents' concerns.

  • East County
  • News
Hot Club SRQ plays Gypsy Jazz in the style of Djano Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 28, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 30-May 6

Don't miss these arts and entertainment events around Sarasota and Manatee counties this week.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Drew Smith (left) and Chase Smith (right) are a sophomore and senior, respectively, at The Out-of-Door Academy. They lost their father, Scott Smith, to esophageal cancer in October of 2023.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 9, 2026
Brothers fundraise in their father's memory

Chase and Drew Smith held their third annual track and field fundraiser for pediatric cancer research.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The gazebo-style pavilion at Joan M. Durante Park just had a $138,000 facelift as the base of the structure was mostly replaced.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 24, 2026
Durante Park gazebo, boardwalk repairs complete

A gazebo repair cost $138,000, while boardwalk, overlook replacement and debris clearing totaled $329,000.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sharon Godlewski stands by the pool at Springlake in The Meadows. Only the owl and CDs remain, but it's enough to keep the ducks away.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 22, 2026
Snowbirds and mallards fight over pool in The Meadows

The homeowners association at Springlake in The Meadows went to great lengths to evict the ducks.

  • East County
  • News
Forward Jonathan Bolanos (right) dribbles with a defender on his tail during the Sarasota Paradise's match vs. Corpus Christi FC on April 22. It was the team's first win this month, and second in seven games played.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 28, 2026
Sarasota Paradise learn some professional lessons

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club has struggled early with its move to USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
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