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Results for:

The Taco Shell fast-food chain will be the first such res­taur­ant at Water­side Place, although this one will be sail­ing on King­fisher Lake.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • April 1, 2026
APRIL FOOL: Taco Shell sails into the Waterside Place market

The fast-food restaurant, modeled after another entry, will float the idea of convenience at the Lakewood Ranch hub.

  • April Fools
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
The new Kompose Hotel at SRQ Airport will be built behind this Hampton Inn along University Parkway.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • May 21, 2026
New hotel will complete three-facility campus at SRQ airport

The Sarasota Planning Board has approved a new Kompose Hotel to bring the total number of rooms on SRQ airport property to 300.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Tony Barrett is running for the at-large District 6 commission seat in Manatee County.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • April 1, 2026
East Manatee fire commissioner enters at-large County Commission race

Tony Barrett hopes to earn a seat as his term as fire commissioner comes to an end.

  • East County
  • News
The main building at the Bishop Animal Shelter has 52 dog kennels. The expansion adds 120 more kennels.
  • By Jay Heater |
  • May 13, 2026
Dog tired of spending money on Manatee County's animal shelters

After $12 million of improvements at the Bishop Animal Shelter, some county residents aren't satisfied with the conditions.

  • East County
  • Opinion
  • By Kat Wingert |
  • April 2, 2026
In pursuit of a good laugh

From monorails to teeny-tiny garbage bins, we spread the jokes out last week in our April Fools’ issue. Readers were amused … mostly.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
It’s time to remove our own regimes
  • By Joel Schleicher |
  • May 15, 2026
It’s time to remove our own regimes

Our local, state and federal governments don’t slaughter citizens as they do in Iran, but there are similarities. We’ve become servants to our regimes.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Jazmin Ortega, Alora Parcells and Suri Bui reminisce on their time at Braden River High School prior to the commencement ceremony at LECOM Park May 19.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 20, 2026
Braden River High grads know there is 'a lot to be discovered'

Four-hundred and twenty graduates receive diplomas and now will chase their dreams.

  • East County
  • Schools
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff |
  • March 25, 2026
Your Next Extraordinary Summer Vacation Awaits

Discover luxurious Alaska in 2026 and Southern Africa in 2027.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Volunteer Jane Webb joins approximately 40 other volunteers in packing jalapeño seeds on April 13 at Christ Church of Longboat Key. This was the final monthly meet-up of the season, and contributors celebrated their milestone of packing 500,000 seed packets this year.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • April 20, 2026
Hope Seeds reflects on charitable milestone

Community members joined in packaging seeds for worldwide farmers for the last time this season.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
While construction abounds around The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour, Portillo's is not among the businesses preparing to move into the shopping center.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 25, 2026
Chicago hot dog eatery reverses course on Manatee County location

Portillo's is no longer planning to open a restaurant in The Marketplace at Heritage Harbour.

  • East County
  • News
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
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
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
Commissioners George Kruse and Mike Rahn supported the project from the start.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • May 4, 2026
Compromise gives Lakewood Ranch-area development another shot

After an initial denial, Manatee County commissioners approved a 195,000-square-foot commercial project near Uihlein Road.

  • East County
  • News
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
Tax collector's money grab
  • By Matt Walsh |
  • April 29, 2026
Tax collector's money grab

Mike Moran needs cash to "modernize" his operations. His target: taking money from the schools, in spite of what voters approved.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Rick Farmer carries plenty of experience calling plays on defense, but his new role leading the Pirates represents his first head-coaching appointment in high school football.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • May 12, 2026
No time to waste for new Braden River High football coach

Rick Farmer, the team's former defensive coordinator, was hired on the first day of spring practice.

  • East County
  • Sports
Top rankings among the U.S. and the world's best beaches is not new to Siesta Beach.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • April 14, 2026
Siesta Beach ranked No. 1 beach in the US

U.S. News & World Report's annual rankings rates Siesta Beach as best in the country ahead of notable destinations in Hawaii, California and Florida.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Alannis Peterson of Prism Artistry "eats" fire at Agave Bandido for its Cinco de Mayo Celebration May 5.
  • By Madison Bierl |
  • May 6, 2026
Agave Bandido hosts Cinco de Mayo party in Waterside of Lakewood Ranch

Live music, a fire performer, stilt walkers, drinks and Mexican food made for a memorable event.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
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