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Sarasota Commissioner Tom Knight is also the former Sarasota County Sheriff.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • August 27, 2025
Sarasota County sounds early warning of coming budget deficits

The County Commission alters future budget season schedules to begin planning for future general fund shortfalls.

  • Sarasota
  • News
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade
  • By Eric Garwood |
  • December 4, 2025
You'd better watch out: Tow-away zones set for Sarasota holiday parade

The Saturday event down Main Street steps off at 7 p.m., but restrictions begin 12 hours earlier.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Angela Long coaches the veterans team at Nathan Benderson Park.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • November 12, 2025
Veterans find camaraderie in paddling at Nathan Benderson Park

The veterans dragon boat team operates under the umbrella of the park's nonprofit conservancy.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Gordon Folkes (on the left) explains how the drone works to members of the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance in August 2024.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • October 7, 2025
Manatee County EMS drone expands coverage area

The Lakewood Ranch coverage area expanded from serving about 5,000 residents to about 42,000.

  • East County
  • News
Robin Gupta, owner of Guppy's Longboat Key, said he's most proud of the way the restaurant has brought together people over lively conversation and hot cheesesteaks in its first year of operation.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • October 16, 2025
Philly-themed bar marks one year on Longboat Key

Despite opening before the hurricanes, Guppy's is now celebrating its first anniversary of offering "Philly fun under the Florida sun."

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Director Allen Parsons (left), Public Works Director Charlie Mopps (center) and Town Manager Howard Tipton answered questions from the community at the monthly “Let’s Talk Longboat” meeting at the Bayfront Park recreation center Tuesday, Oct. 14.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • October 19, 2025
Streetlights to illuminate Longboat's main road

An update on the Buccaneer Restaurant, the town's stance on chain businesses and updates on light fixture installations were topics of an informal town meeting.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Sarasota Director of Finance Kelly Strickland talks fiscal year 2026 budget with the Sarasota City Commission as Budget Manager Tyler Harris looks on.
  • By Andrew Warfield |
  • July 30, 2025
Hurricane recovery depletes city's general fund balance

Having spent some $20 million for hurricane recovery, with tens of millions more to go, Sarasota's fund balance safety net is now far below the city's policy and must be replenished.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • January 25, 2026
Parents have 3 days to excuse kids with new Sarasota Schools policy

The new policy specifies a three-day window for Sarasota County parents to send in an attendance note following an excused absence, while outlining clearly what counts as an excused absence.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Francesca Bisordi poses for a photo on Dec. 4 during a Lakewood Ranch wrestling practice. Currently competing in the 155-pound weight class, she formerly wrestled at 170 in both 2024 and 2023.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • December 8, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Francesca Bisordi

The junior wrestler for Lakewood Ranch High is the program's first female to reach the state tourney.

  • East County
  • Sports
Vinny Mercadante tosses a lacrosse ball and holds his stick at Summerfield Community Park in Lakewood Ranch. He played for Cardinal Mooney in 2016-18, Marian University in 2018-19 and Florida State in 2021-23 but has since committed to coaching.
  • By Jack Nelson |
  • November 24, 2025
Cardinal Mooney grad builds his own lacrosse training school

At just 25, Vinny Mercadante is quickly becoming a premier private lacrosse coach, one of the few in the state.

  • East County
  • Sports
During a beach renourishment project, sand is placed and spread on the beach to extend the shoreline, combating natural erosion to increase recreational area space and extend the shoreline.
  • By S.T. Cardinal |
  • January 20, 2026
Beach renourishment on Lido Key underway

About 311,000 cubic yards will be placed on the southern half of Lido Key during the project, causing some closures to portions of the beach.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Allegiant is one of the top airlines at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • August 12, 2025
Allegiant adds new route from Sarasota to Rochester

Allegiant Air's new route between Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and Rochester, New York, begins Feb. 13, 2026.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sixth grader Stella Schechter holds up a finished craft for David Stone.
  • By Ian Swaby |
  • December 16, 2025
Emanu-El students celebrate Hanukkah with Aviva Senior Living residents

Temple Emanu-El's religious school visits the senior living development each year, to allow kids the opportunity to celebrate the holiday together.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Richard Thomas stars in "Mark Twain Tonight!" at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall Dec. 19-20.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • December 16, 2025
The best things to do in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat for Dec. 18-24

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

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Things To Do
A bulldozer moves trash at the Lena Road Landfill.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • July 30, 2025
Lena Road landfill's lifespan changed by slope strategies

Manatee County says reconfiguring the way waste is packed into cells will add two decades to the landfill.

  • East County
  • News
This year's New to You art sale promises some unique, larger finds for art enthusiasts, according to Linn Torres, All Angels by the Sea administrative assistant and art sale coordinator. Torres showcases a Grecian-style, three-dimensional piece of art.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 27, 2026
Big surprises await at New to You art sale

The popular Longboat Key art sale begins Feb. 2 at All Angels by the Sea and benefits Turning Points of Bradenton.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Bear down at Siesta Key Oyster Bar during every single game. As it says on their website, “SKOB, Home of the Bears."
  • By Emma Burke |
  • January 17, 2026
Here's where to bear down on Chicago flavor on the streets of Sarasota

Come along for the best bites and booze on this Chicago-inspired food and drink tour.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Danielle Ziegler is the shelter director. She's cuddling with Lyza, a 9-year-old Catahoula mix with chronic ear infections.
  • By Lesley Dwyer |
  • January 21, 2026
Struggling for funds is a way of life at the Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch

Grants, like the $20,000 received through the Manatee Community Foundation, are essential to the nonprofit's survival.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Bandleader and clarinetist Michael Drapkin said he connected with his fellow band members while performing with The Venice Symphony. The Yiddish Cowboys performed on Jan. 11 at The Education Center.
  • By Dana Kampa |
  • January 12, 2026
Yiddish Cowboys kick off Sunday Performing Arts lineup

The quartet of classically trained musicians delighted audience members with favorite tunes from childhood at The Education Center.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota County Courthouse was voted 10th most beautiful public building in America.
  • By Observer Staff |
  • January 17, 2026
Sarasota courthouse among nation's top civic buildings

The historic Sarasota County Courthouse checks in at No. 10 on an interior-design website.

  • Sarasota
  • News
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