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Results for:

Tammy King talks with fourth graders Dylan Amador-Guerra and Knox Smith about their journals.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 7, 2026
Program helps elementary students explore who they want to be when they grow up

The Students With Amazing Goals (SWAG) program at Alta Vista Elementary serves fourth and fifth graders, and soon middle school students, in goals that include career aspirations.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?
  • By Adrian Moore, Nicole Shekhovtsova |
  • May 6, 2026
Is the only way to protect kids online for all of us to give up our data?

Legislators are passing laws to verify the age of social media users — but does it inadvertently require these sites to keep more data than necessary?

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
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
Sarasota's Axel Neff is glad to welcome community members who are both familiar and unfamiliar with Tim Horton's brand to bond over food and coffee.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 26, 2026
Tim Hortons blazes a Florida path with Manatee County restaurant

Tim Hortons, a Canadian breakfast chain, wants customers both familiar and unfamiliar with the brand to walk away with a smile.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
From left, Assistant County Administrator Brad Johnson, County Administrator Jonathan Lewis and County Commissioners Teresa Mast, Ron Cutsinger, Mark Smith, Joe Neunder and Tom Knight flank Matt Osterhoudt as he cuts the ribbon at the new development services one stop shop.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 15, 2026
New county building consolidates development services staff

The ribbon is cut to open the new Sarasota County Planning and Development Services "one stop shop" in east county.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe's "Lies, Spells, and Old Wives Tales" runs through May 17 at WBTT's Donelly Theatre.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 14, 2026
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for April 16-22

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
Members of the community can obtain plots in the garden.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 2, 2026
Limelight Community Garden hosts grand opening

The new garden in the Limelight District is intended to provide a space for residents to learn and connect.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Saks' parent company, Saks Global, filed for bankruptcy in January.
  • By Mark Gordon |
  • March 25, 2026
Saks changes its mind: UTC store will remain open

The parent company, going through bankruptcy, says it has renegotiated its lease terms at The Mall at University Town Center in Sarasota.

  • Sarasota
  • Business
Carol Ann Felts' sons Kiel and Nicholas Felts unveil the new sign at David J. Crane Park.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 21, 2026
Manatee County remembers Carol Ann Felts at Crane Park memorial

The late commissioner had a Myakka City preserve named in her honor.

  • East County
  • News
Workers carry one of two storm surge poles Sarasota County has installed at Siesta Beach and Manasota Beach.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 23, 2026
Storm surge poles installed at Sarasota County beaches

Colorful poles to educate the public about the dangers of storm surge have been installed at two Sarasota County beaches.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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
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
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 6, 2026
Woman smells a scam with fake nude photos threat

Believing she was texting with the famous action star, a woman gives bank information to "Keanu Reeves" in extortion scam. This and other Sarasota Police Department reports in this week's Cops Corner.

  • Sarasota
  • Cops Corner
Il Panificio is now open at 1995 Main St. in Sarasota.
  • By Elizabeth King |
  • May 9, 2026
Il Panificio opens new downtown Sarasota restaurant

The pizza restaurant now has two locations on Main Street and one on Siesta Key.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
DragonBoot Quartet performs the world premiere of Roger Zare’s “Gamma” for string quartet for Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota on April 12.
  • By Monica Roman Gagnier |
  • April 6, 2026
Pine View grad solves for 'Gamma' in his latest music composition

DragoonBoot Quartet premieres Roger Zare's piece at an Artist Series Concert event on April 12.

  • Arts + Culture
Jenna Jahn notched a pair of top-two finishes at the Eddie Starling Memorial Invite on March 13 — including a record-breaking performance.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • March 23, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Jenna Jahn

As a freshman at Lakewood Ranch High, she broke the program record for the 400-meter hurdles.

  • East County
  • Sports
Janet and Dean Mixon are retiring. The couple sold their food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities, Inc.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 6, 2026
Mixon Swirl food truck finds a new home in Polk County

Dean and Janet Mixon sell their iconic food truck to Polk Sheriff Charities Inc.

  • East County
  • Business
Noelle Tenaglia is headed to the FHSAA Class 4A track and field state championship May 9 at Jacksonville's Hodges Stadium alongside relay teammates Kenna Borras, Ella Dabringhaus and Madison Muller.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 5, 2026
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Noelle Tenaglia

The senior led Riverview's 3,200-meter relay team to victory at the FHSAA Class 4A-Region 3 championship.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Manatee County commissioners approve an over $50,000 a month contract for a backup generator for the administration building at 9000 Town Center Parkway.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 6, 2026
$12.48M generator request causes concern over Manatee County 'money pit'

Commissioner Bob McCann said the Lakewood Ranch administration building is becoming a "money pit."

  • East County
  • News
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
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