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Results for:

The school district has partnered with University of South Florida in order to create the new offerings at Gulf Coast Academy of Innovation & Technology at Brookside.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • February 19, 2026
Brookside Middle School undergoes transformation to attract new students

The revamped Sarasota County school aims to bring innovative fields of study to students, from artificial intelligence to cybersecurity.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Neal Mason Hall (1939-2026)
  • In Memoriam |
  • April 23, 2026
Neal Mason Hall

Neal Mason Hall, 86, of Longboat Key, FL, passed away on April 16, 2026, surrounded by loved ones.

  • Longboat Key
  • Tributes & Obituaries
Terri Driver is a long-time volunteer with Longboat Key Turtle Watch, seen here caring for a nest in 2016.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 22, 2026
Turtle patrol walks begin on Longboat Key

The duties of Longboat Key Turtle Watch can be broken down into five verbs: patrol, mark, report, dig and educate.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Lisa Holcomb, Jill Obrochta and Lisa Brakefield
  • By Lori Sax |
  • April 26, 2026
Selby Gardens welcomes famed floral designer Ian Prosser for Lunch in the Gardens

Lunch in the Gardens celebrates the 2026 Jean and Alfred Goldstein Exhibition Series, which was inspired by Alexander Calder's work.

  • Black Tie
Flamenco dancer Carolina Esparza performs with Los Rumberos on March 15 at The Education Center for the final Sunday Performing Arts Program installment this season.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • March 17, 2026
Los Rumberos close out Education Center's Sunday shows

The 2026 Sunday Performing Arts Programs ran the gamut of musical genres.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Several characters in Sarasota Players' "Assassins" think they deserve credit for saving the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 5, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 7-13

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office and the Sarasota Police Department will take part in the 2026 Torch Run.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 16, 2026
Sheriff's Office leads off Sarasota Torch Run for Special Olympics

The city's police department will do its own run on April 24.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key officials are taking an in-depth look at tree regulations on the island, bearing in mind the effects of the 2024 hurricanes.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 21, 2026
Longboat's tree ordinance revamp moves along

The town’s Planning and Zoning Board invited subject matter experts to discuss potential improvements to the town’s tree code.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
Asolo Repertory Theatre Producing Artistic Director Peter Rothstein.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • March 10, 2026
Asolo Rep to premiere a circus musical in its 2026-27 season

"The Day the Circus Came to Town" will be one of five mainstage shows in "The Greatest Season on Earth."

  • Arts + Culture
Work proceeds on the fields at 17th Street Park in northeastern Sarasota County. Completion is expected late this year
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • April 9, 2026
Multistate softball tournament coming to 17th Street Park

A high school event in 2027 joins a college tournament already planned at expanded Sarasota County facility.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Students in Manatee schools begin learning cursive in third grade. With House Bill 127, that might change to second grade instead. It would also require fifth graders to be evaluated to prove proficiency.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • February 11, 2026
Cursive writing requirements would change if proposed legislation passes

Students currently learn cursive between third and fifth grade. If House Bill 127 becomes law, students will begin learning in second grade and will be tested in fifth.

  • East County
  • Schools
A beaming Dick Vitale with his All-Courageous Kids at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala held on May 1 at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 4, 2026
Dick Vitale Gala raises $21 million for pediatric cancer research

In its 21st year, the gala nearly doubled last year's $12 million total, with Vitale currently battling cancer for the fifth time.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ringling College of Art and Design.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • August 12, 2024
Symposium kicks off Ringling College AI program

The new certificate program at Ringling College of Art and Design will help students employ artificial intelligence in a variety of disciplines.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County
  • By Mike Moran |
  • May 3, 2026
My oath to the law and the taxpayers of Sarasota County

While waiting for the attorney general to rule on a disagreement over how to implement state law, costly litigation could have been avoided.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Saucy! is expanding on the Gulf Coast, with a Lakewood Ranch and Trinity location opening May 4 and 5, respectively.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 7, 2026
Saucy new chicken spot opens in Lakewood Ranch

As the name of the KFC spinoff suggests, dipping sauces are front and center in the restaurant on Lena Road.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Former District 3 Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge continues to allege he was defamed during the 2024 election by Betsy Benac and Take Back Manatee.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 5, 2026
Former Manatee County commissioner continues to allege defamation

Kevin Van Ostenbridge's lawsuit against Betsy Benac was dismissed, but he has requested a rehearing.

  • East County
  • 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
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
A rendering of the street level of 1260 North Palm Residences.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 7, 2026
Condo tower controversy appears headed back to mediation

For the second time, the Sarasota City Commission sides with opponents of 1260 North Palm Residences as the developer weighs his options for further legal action.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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