4+ day, 1+ hour ago   (1585+ words) HB Land Holdings LLC sold the home at 558 Venice Lane to Michael and Bethany Simone, of Grosse Ile Township, Michigan, for $4.30 million. Built in 2025, it has six bedrooms, four-and-a-half baths, a pool and 4,240 square feet of living area. Sarasota Bay…...

5+ day, 1+ hour ago   (1042+ words) Since the dawn of the 21st century, population growth in Florida has vastly outpaced the rest of the country on its way to becoming the third most populous state in the nation. Perhaps just as consequential was the dawn of widespread…...

6+ day, 1+ hour ago   (522+ words) Your Observer Man who complained of lobster presentation has cops called on him A frustrated diner cussed at wait staff, prompting a visit from Longboat police. This and other Longboat Key Police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner....

1+ week, 1+ day ago   (454+ words) Longboat Key's town commissioners might not get paid, but they do get recognized. Most recently, the Florida League of Cities awarded Vice Mayor Penny Gold and Commissioner BJ Bishop with gold certificates of excellence and Commissioner Sarah Karon with a…...

1+ week, 2+ day ago   (318+ words) A home that sits at the mouth of New Pass in Sarasota has hit the market for $7.99 million. At 1475 John Ringling Parkway, the property provides Gulf access with no bridges between its private dock and the open water. “John Ringling…...

1+ week, 4+ day ago   (787+ words) The much-hyped and controversial statewide Live Local Act is living in court, at least in Sarasota County. Four Live Local developers filed lawsuits recently against the county for blocking their projects. The act allows developers to bypass ordinary developmental review…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (868+ words) An AI pilot program identified between $14.5 million and $49.5 million worth of annual “opportunities” for Manatee County to cut costs, but the program indicated those savings could rise up to $110 million. Robert Salvador, founder of DigiBuild, said at the Aug. 25 Manatee…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (323+ words) What does it take to be able to name some of Florida's most beautiful birds at a glance? Joining a class with birding expert Mattie Watson is a solid starting point for complete novices or those looking to refresh their…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (279+ words) In the wake of reported misuse by law enforcement agencies and privacy concerns, the Florida Department of Transportation has issued a ban on automated license plate recognition (LPR) systems within the right of way of a road within the state…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago   (378+ words) An FDOT memo that orders all automatic license plate readers removed from state road rights of way is the latest blow to advocates for the controversial Flock cameras. Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager is one such advocate, calling the…...