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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
Couch LBK co-founders Noel Ladd — who happened to be celebrating his birthday — and Ken Rushing connect with community members at the entrance to the 20th annual Meet Greet Eat social. The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce organized the April 14 networking event at The Resort at Longboat Key Club.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 18, 2026
Meet Greet Eat welcomes new businesses on Longboat Key

The Longboat Key Chamber of Commerce hosted its 20th annual event to help residents and local businesses connect.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Tyre Smith is in his second year with Sarasota Rugby Club. He switched over from football after competing with Riverview High School and Wittenberg University.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 18, 2026
Sarasota Rugby Club hits the sand

Stepping away from its grass pitch, the club held its first annual 'Siesta 7s' beach rugby tournament.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
A massing model of The Bay phases 3A and 3B show a parnking deck to the right, to the left the Sarasota Performing Arts Center location flanked by two restaurant spaces and the current parking lot converted to green space. The Van Wezel is at the bottom left corner.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
Bay Park Conservancy reveals final phase concepts for The Bay park

With a time frame for completion in 2029, planning has begun for Phase 3 projects to expand boater access, build a parking deck and convert acres of asphalt into green space.

  • Sarasota
  • News
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 19, 2026
It's high school graduation season again in Sarasota and Manatee counties.

Hundreds of former seniors walk the stage to accept their diplomas.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Rosedale Golf Classic for Homes for Our Troops was founded by Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe in 2013. Prior to this year's money raised, $1.5 million has been donated to the organization from their efforts.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • April 17, 2026
Rosedale Golf Classic brings veterans, community members together

Rosedale's Kathi Skelton and Deb Kehoe have been raising money for Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit that builds homes for veterans, since 2013.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
The update of the Sarasota City Plan includes the Recreation and Open Space chapter.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • May 9, 2026
May 11 city plan update open house canceled

Three chapters of the Sarasota City Plan were to be discussed.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Reece McCabe concluded his high school weightlifting career with success on the state level in both Traditional and Olympic style.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 19, 2026
East County Athlete of the Week: Reece McCabe

The Lakewood Ranch High senior brought home a pair of medals from the FHSAA Class 3A boys weightlifting state championship.

  • East County
  • Sports
Sarasota Schools Superintendent Terry Connor speaks during the State of the Community luncheon in April.
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • May 12, 2026
School-tax fee reversal slated to come before county commissioners this week

Sarasota is ready to reassume responsibility for paying the tax collector's 2% commission, but question remains on whether it should be charged at all.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The expansion of McCown Towers would surround the parking structure that would include 160 public parking spaces owned by the city.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 22, 2026
Senior affordable housing project funding remains one step short

Sarasota Housing Authority is pledged $3 million from the county to close a funding gap for McCown Towers. Another $8 million from the city still requires a commission vote.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Elizabeth Arnold is transitioning from citizen activist to commissioner candidate. She's running for the District 1 seat.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 21, 2026
Parrish resident steps up to protect rural Manatee County in District 1 race

As a citizen, Elizabeth Arnold fought beside the late commissioner Carol Ann Felts. Now, she's stepping into the race to fill her vacant commission seat.

  • East County
  • News
Raising roads in several Longboat Key neighborhoods is a priority for town leaders, but paying for the neighborhood resiliency projects is a more difficult ask than originally anticipated with a new $30 million price tag.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 27, 2026
Town forms 'steady as we go' budget as revenues uncertain

The 2027 fiscal year budget formation process continued with a strategic planning retreat meeting April 20.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Anesha Green (center) celebrates with her mother, Shemere Green, and father, Cedric Green.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • May 19, 2026
Booker High School celebrates hundreds of seniors

Families and students filled Robarts Arena on May 16 with a record graduation rate as students prepare for their next chapter.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
A new fire pit area awaits campers, along with the playground that was moved from Camp Flying Eagle, where camps used to be held.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 21, 2026
Dream Oaks Camp opens near Rye Preserve just in time for summer

Manatee County gave the Foundation for Dreams a 10-year lease for $10, but the campus needed an overhaul.

  • East County
  • News
An artistic rendering by Hoyt Architects of the street level of the proposed Obsidian at 126 N. Palm Ave.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • April 27, 2026
Controversial downtown tower comes back before City Commission

A mediated agreement between city staff and the developer of the previously rejected Obsidian tower will be considered by the Sarasota City Commission on May 4.

  • Sarasota
  • News
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff |
  • May 18, 2026
Duff's Famous Wings

Bringing an authentic taste of Buffalo New York to the Gulf Coast, Duff’s serves up the legendary wings that made Buffalo famous.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Karen and Gregg Sweeney, Chris and Cathy Goglia, and Debbie McPeak socialize at the Longboat Key Club's farewell lawn party on May 15.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • May 20, 2026
Longboaters jam with Big Z Band to close out season

The Longboat Key Club held one of its final farewell events of the season with a music-centered lawn party.

  • Longboat Key
  • 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
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College
  • By Letter to the Editor |
  • May 12, 2026
Letter to our legislators: Don't turn USFSM over to New College

The fate of USF Sarasota-Manatee depends on the Legislature's special budget session. It will decide whether to shut down the college and transfer the buildings to New College.

  • Longboat Key
  • Opinion
Manatee County Area Transit bus stops are unused on Longboat Key as on demand service using vehicles like the white Ford Explorer pictured are now the only public transportation options on the barrier island.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • April 15, 2026
On-demand public transit sees steady use on Longboat

When bus service stopped on Longboat Key, on-demand ride-hailing with public subsidies took its place.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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