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Results for:

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
Boat, pedestrian and vehicle traffic are expected to be unaffected by a $4.3 million maintenance project on Siesta Key's north bridge.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 25, 2026
Siesta Key's north bridge undergoes maintenance project

Most work will take place below the deck of the 50-year-old drawbridge.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Element Steak.Seafood.Pasta is at 1413 Main St. in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • April 16, 2026
Sarasota restaurant closing on Main Street seeks new space

Element will shutter its current location downtown in late April.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
The house at 501 General Harris Street has received attention from neighbors, city code enforcement, banks and courts as foreclosure of the property inches along while maintenance is lacking.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 26, 2026
Pink house draws ire from neighbors

A Longboat Key house under foreclosure with a cluttered and unkempt yard has led to frustrations from Sleepy Lagoon neighbors and $50,000 in code violations from the town.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
This fall will be Scott Paravicini's fourth season as the Lakewood Ranch football coach. He's posted a 14-17 record since taking over the program.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 6, 2026
Despite cancer, Lakewood Ranch High coach remains committed to his players

Scott Paravicini wouldn't agree, but his devotion to his team deserves our admiration.

  • East County
  • Sports
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
Students in Kirsten Hazelton's 2nd-grade class at Southside Elementary School used their magnifying glasses to watch their freshly released ladybugs get to work patrolling their vegetable garden at the school.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 8, 2026
Support your passion project through Giving Challenge 2026

Local organizations are preparing for the fundraising event presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Zachary Keller and Helen Krushinski star in "Water for Elephants," which comes to the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Feb. 12-14, 2027.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • March 19, 2026
'Water for Elephants,' 'Six' and 'Hell's Kitchen' lead Van Wezel's 2026-27 lineup

Ten Broadway shows are making their way to Sarasota's Purple Palace.

  • Arts + Culture
Mitchell Meissner lines up his putt on the third green of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. He carded six under par in the second round, pulling into a 10-way tie for 10th place.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 3, 2026
Front runner emerges on second day of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

Ian Gilligan stormed ahead of the pack with a four-stroke lead for first place.

  • East County
  • Sports
The town of Longboat Key is taking steps to condemn and demolish the house at 6541 Gulfside Road, nicknamed the Half Moon House.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 20, 2026
Town sends compliance agreement to Half Moon house owner

The town of Longboat Key proposed a June 1 deadline for repairs to avoid forced demolition.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Junior Jackson Zackery (left) celebrates with senior Peyton Hens (right) after a goal against Sarasota High on April 9 in the FHSAA Class 2A-District 12 quarterfinals. Lakewood Ranch advanced with a 13-4 victory.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • April 15, 2026
'Unfinished business' for Lakewood Ranch High boys lacrosse

Guided by a strong senior class, the Mustangs have sought redemption for past shortcomings.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Art Museum Senior Curator Rangsook Yoon poses in front of an unnamed piece in Judy Pfaff's exhibition, "Picking Up the Pieces."
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 6, 2026
Sarasota Art Museum senior curator heading to Seattle

Rangsook Yoon will be senior director of curatorial affairs at the Frye Art Museum.

  • Arts + Culture
The town of Longboat Key will soon mail out envelopes with a QR code and unique access code to fill out an online survey to guide the town’s priorities.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 12, 2026
Town surveys will hit mailboxes soon

The town of Longboat Key is surveying residents and business owners on a variety of topics to guide the town's priorities.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Dick Vitale, even amid his battle with melanoma, kept the focus of his 21st annual gala in Sarasota on helping kids fight — and beat — cancer.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 6, 2026
Dick Vitale reminds us, once more, pediatric cancer research matters

The $21 million raised at the 21st annual Dick Vitale Gala represents a major victory for an ever-important cause.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Samantha Varnam, Jamie Marco and James LaLonde show off some sleepy kittens.
  • By Janet Combs |
  • March 16, 2026
Humane Society of Sarasota puts on pawsh event with Paw Royale

The annual luncheon fundraiser featured fun touches themed around the hit Apple TV show, with its own Sarasota style, all to help Sarasota County animals looking for homes.

  • Black Tie
John Dunn is a former U.S. Air Force medic. He's also a graduate of Lakewood Ranch High School.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 5, 2026
'Dunn' with special interests, Duette resident enters District 1 race

John Dunn wants the people to run Manatee County, not special interests or even commissioners.

  • East County
  • News
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
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