News

S.T. Cardinal
September 12, 2025

Free permits for Longboat storm damage likely to extend

Going against staff recommendation, town commissioners said they plan to introduce a resolution that will keep the permit fee waiver for hurricane-related repairs through December.

Longboat Key
News

Madison Bierl
September 12, 2025

Manatee School Board approves $245,000 superintendent contract

Laurie Breslin also has incentives in her contract, a point of contention with two school board members.

East County
Schools

S.T. Cardinal
September 12, 2025

Charlie Kirk was influential in bringing Rumble to Longboat Key

Chris Pavlovski, the chairman and CEO of the YouTube competitor popular in the right-wing political sphere, said he and Kirk decided to relocate the company to Longboat Key.

Longboat Key
News

Andrew Warfield
September 11, 2025

New search firm named for Sarasota city manager pursuit

"Hungry and scrappy" Sumter Local Government Consulting will lead the search to fill the 11-month vacant position.

Sarasota
News

Eric Garwood
September 11, 2025

Nature opened Midnight Pass. Sarasota County intends to keep it that way.

Fairly stable for its first 11 months, the waterway to the Gulf is critical for Sarasota County, commissioners say as they begin formulating short- and long-term policy to protect it.

Siesta Key
News

Jay Heater
September 10, 2025

45 years of protection from East Manatee Fire Rescue

East Manatee Fire Rescue keeps climbing another rung with the community.

East County
News

Andrew Warfield
September 10, 2025

Hermitage hurricane damage repairs still a year away

As negotiations to sell the Manasota Beach property continue on a parallel track, Sarasota county commissioners are told the complete Hermitage Artist Retreat campus restoration timeline is still unclear.

Sarasota
News

S.T. Cardinal
September 10, 2025

Longboat residents raise houses, foundations in storm rebuild

Stilts, raised lot elevations and unique construction techniques are all being utilized by Longboaters.

Longboat Key
News

Lesley Dwyer
September 10, 2025

Roads take back seat to trails in Manatee transportation priorities

It costs four times more to build a road than a shared-use path.

East County
News

S.T. Cardinal
September 10, 2025

Town advances first vote in favor of 2026 budget

Staff pay raises and unchanged property taxes highlight the next fiscal year Longboat Key town budget.

Longboat Key
News

Observer Staff
September 9, 2025

Water main replacement will close lanes on North Tamiami Trail

The inside lanes of U.S. 41/Tamiami Trail between 14th and 22nd streets will be closed for first phase water main replacement until spring 2026.

Sarasota
News

S.T. Cardinal
September 9, 2025

Future Broadway roundabout approved by Town Commission

The Longboat Key Town Commission approved two resolutions that fund utility relocation work and assigns maintenance responsibilities for the FDOT-run project.