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Results for:

The Original Hob Nob Drive-In is back at 1701 N. Washington Blvd. in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 25, 2026
The Original Hob Nob Drive-In reopens in Sarasota

The open-air restaurant on Washington Boulevard has returned and has future plans to offer online ordering.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
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
Facilitator David Brain presents findings of the first St. Armands visioning session to the audience.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 15, 2026
St. Armands visioning wraps up, but more work remains

Following two public workshop sessions, Sarasota city staff now has its list of priorities as planning and projects for a more resilient St. Armands Circle continue.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Myakka's Sydney McCullough shows off the first place ribbon and belt buckle she won in January for whip cracking in the senior division at the Manatee County Fair.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • April 1, 2026
Cracking a whip has been a snap for Myakka teenager

Sydney McCullough displays the art at Herrmann's Royal Lipizzan Stallions.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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
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
Frustrated driver brandishes bat in Longboat Key
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 7, 2026
Frustrated driver brandishes bat in Longboat Key

A construction crew caused a backup in Longboat and a frustrated driver got out of the car with a baseball bat. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Sarasota Orchestra Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero.
  • By Gayle Williams |
  • April 18, 2026
Sarasota Orchestra ends its season on a high note with Masterworks 7

Conducted by Music Director Giancarlo Guerrero, the Bernstein-Mahler program demonstrates the orchestra's growing artistry.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Reviews
Manatee County Administrator Charlie Bishop's contract has been extended until February 2027.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 24, 2026
Manatee County administrator's proposed contract raises concerns

Instead of signing a new contract before the election, commissioners extended Charlie Bishop’s current contract through February 2027.

  • East County
  • News
A crowd gathers outside as the Driveway Drifters perform. The members pictured include Angie Eason, Gary Bowen, Debbie and Ron Fellman, Bill Green, Gary Eason, Lynn Cassell, Mike Lawless and Michael Cohen. One band member, Eugene Moleiro, was not in attendance.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • April 23, 2026
Driveway band brings neighbors together through music

The Driveway Drifters started gathering to perform during the COVID-19 pandemic and have not stopped since.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Lieutenant Jack Gamble loads a set of bunker gear into the Speed Queen Extractor at Station 1 in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 22, 2026
Laundry is priority, not chore, at East Manatee Fire Rescue

Firefighters cut on-the-job cancer risk with face washing and laundry.

  • East County
  • News
Glen Gibellina stands at the entrance of a tiny house he built using a shipping container.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 20, 2026
Affordable housing advocate builds campaign for Manatee commission

Glen Gibellina is challenging incumbent Mike Rahn for the District 4 seat.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend

From egg hunts and slides, to mutton busting and bull riding, families had their choice of a variety of activities at the dairy in Myakka City.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • April 2, 2026
Hall of fame coach Urban Meyer gets back to work in his new community

College football coaching star Urban Meyer has traded the gridiron for the Gulf. His waterfront life is busy, yet with lots of time for boating, fishing and even golf with some powerful people.

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
Outside weightlifting and wrestling, Freedom McDaniel also plays defensive end/defensive tackle for Braden River football. His 43 solo tackles in 2025 were second-most on the team.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 13, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Freedom McDaniel

The junior pushed Braden River High boys weightlifting to a district championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Maxim Chlumecky is at the center of the action in this scene from Asolo Rep's "Fiddler on the Roof," which runs through May 24 at FSU Center for the Performing Arts.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 21, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 23-29

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Awardees joined members of the Longboat Key Garden Club's grant committee on April 17 to celebrate receiving funding for their community environmental education and outreach programs. Members raised money all year to support local organizations and fund student scholarships given at the annual meeting.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 20, 2026
Garden club uplifts environment, education with record funding

From one student to a dozen, the club worked to dramatically expand its outreach to support continuing education.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
APRIL FOOL: City Island Mote takes on new rehab focus
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 1, 2026
APRIL FOOL: City Island Mote takes on new rehab focus

The animal rehab facility is going for gold with its newest rescue focus.

  • April Fools
The sailboat Hula Girl is seen alongside the Longboat Pass bridge after colliding with the span on Friday, April 17.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 17, 2026
Traffic resumes after boat collision with Longboat bridge

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene, along with police and fire-rescue personnel.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sue Ann Miller's story is featured in the Donate Life display at the Lakewood Ranch Library.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 15, 2026
Lakewood Ranch volunteer puts her second heart to good use

After receiving a heart transplant, Sue Ann Miller has gone on to volunteer for several nonprofits, including LifeLink of Florida.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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