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Results for:

County facing budget consequences
  • By Christine Robinson |
  • February 16, 2026
County facing budget consequences

The 9.2% increase in spending in 2026 has commissioners starting the budget process with a $7.1 million gap between expenses and revenues.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Paxton Hermann, who specializes in the pole vault, has been a standout sophomore for the Thunder.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 27, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Paxon Hermann

The Out-of-Door Academy track and field sophomore placed top-three in four events at the FHSAA Class 1A-District 11 meet.

  • East County
  • Sports
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
Sarasota Contemporary Dance founder and artistic director Leymis Bolaños Wilmott and Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe founder and artistic director join forces for SCD + WBTT May 15-16 at the Manatee Performing Arts Center.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 12, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for May 14-20

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Robyn Modly, right, and her three daughters and daughter-in-law — the matrons of honor — cheered the 100 crew members as they ran by to board and officially staff the ship. From left: Natalie Modly Schmidt, Amanda Merkle Modly, Dorian Modly and Noelle Modly Ulman.
  • By Robyn Modly |
  • May 20, 2026
'Its a glorious day'

Remarks by Robyn Modly, Ship Sponsor, USS Cleveland

  • Siesta Key
  • Neighbors
The Sarasota Paradise waited out a nearly two-hour weather delay before commencing their first season in USL League One. Over 2,500 fans packed the stands at Premier Sports Campus.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 11, 2026
Sarasota Paradise drop professional debut to AC Boise, 1-0

The Lakewood Ranch-based soccer club played its first match in USL League One.

  • East County
  • Sports
Jeff Toale stands inside the Robert Toale & Sons Celebration of Life Center in Lakewood Ranch, where light-filled spaces and a contemporary design reflect a shift toward more personalized, meaningful memorial experiences.
  • By Eric Snider |
  • May 17, 2026
Jeff Toale looks to deepen and double impact at helm of the LWRCF

Jeff Toale carries forward a family legacy while helping shape a more connected, compassionate Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Amanda Parrish is serving as the EDC's interim CEO, and Elizabeth Cordes is the director of business recruitment and expansion.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 10, 2026
Manatee County Commission changes course on Bradenton EDC

Commissioners chose to partner with the EDC and approved a $292,450 annual contract.

  • East County
  • News
An eVTOL manufactured by Joby Aviation flies over Monterey Bay in California.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • February 11, 2026
Air taxis: An alternative to sitting in Longboat Key's traffic jams?

The Jetsons maybe had the aesthetic wrong, but the flying car idea? Spot on.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Medallion Home's Kellie Reith (left) and Mark Santiago (right) chat with Judy Athari (center) of Berkshire Hathaway during the 2026 Manatee Realtor Preview event March 5 at the Grove in Lakewood Ranch.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • March 6, 2026
Realtors, builders ready for the parade in Lakewood Ranch-area

The Suncoast Builders Association runs its 2026 Parade of Homes from March 7-29.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Parker Hippich, 12 months, gets a lift from mom, Tessa Hippich, during Petals and Poses on Saturday at Waterside Place.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • May 10, 2026
All about the mothers at special event in Lakewood Ranch

Petals and Poses honored the area's moms while raising funds for the Mothers Helping Mothers nonprofit.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bradenton's Trey Johnson finishes his swing during the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament, which raises funds for local nonprofits.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 11, 2026
Lakewood Ranch rallies to support golf tournament fundraiser

Eighty-three golfers entered the Lakewood Ranch Community Foundation Golf Tournament at Colusa Country Club.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Kellen Dorsch and his wife Alanna Giuliani sit with Velly.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • March 29, 2026
6th annual Get Your Mutt Movin' helps get support moving for rescue animals

The annual event, a fundraiser for Satchel's Last Resort, raised about $45,000, according to the rescue.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Several residents report checks mailed from the post office in Lakewood Ranch have been stolen and washed.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 4, 2026
Officials release few details in Lakewood Ranch check washing scam

Multiple residents have reported checks being stolen from the post office in Lakewood Ranch.

  • East County
  • News
Author Susan Hanafee speaks to the evolution of the character Leslie Elliott, who goes on a truth-seeking adventure set in Sarasota in the murder mystery "Scavenger Tides." Bird Key Women's Association members read the book before hearing from the author at their May 13 meeting.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 18, 2026
Local murder-mystery author shares insights with Bird Key group

Bird Key Women's Association members heard from Susan Hanafee at their latest meet-up.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Aerial view of Gulfside Road in September 2023.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 29, 2026
Erosion on Gulfside Road prevalent even before seawalls

Seawalls, the solution to constant erosion on a portion of Longboat Key, exacerbate the problem the town hopes to solve with a groin field, but are not the sole cause.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Brooks Bartram improved his fastball velocity from 84 miles per hour in September 2025 to 94 mph by February. Now, he'll play NCAA Division II baseball in the fall.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 11, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Brooks Bartram

After one season with Braden River, the senior right-hander has signed with Eckerd College.

  • East County
  • Sports
Several attendees of Budget 101 are surprised to learn how little money the Manatee County Commission controls.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • March 16, 2026
Manatee County delivers budget primer in Lakewood Ranch

About 20 residents attended the session, which covered how Manatee County creates its annual revenue and spending plan.

  • East County
  • News
  • By Sertoma Club of Sarasota |
  • May 14, 2026
The Moments We Take for Granted—Until They’re Out of Reach

Helping children and families overcome speech, language, and hearing challenges.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
The original 1957 Longboat Key Town Charter is printed on rice paper and stored at Town Hall, along with copies of the original document printed in 1959.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • May 5, 2026
Charter review presents opportunity for change for Longboat Key

The town is due for its once-a-decade review of its charter, which means a chance to look at bigger policy and governance matters on the Key.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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