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Your Observer | All

Charlie Metzler, Samantha Trotter, Mimi Kruk, JoDene Moneuse, Kelsie Rokicki and 6-month-old puppy Nova held out hope that Freedom Fest and other Fourth of July activities on Longboat Key would continue. However, lightning forced officials to cancel.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 4, 2025
Lightning on Longboat causes Freedom Fest cancellation

Despite officials' best efforts, poor weather caused them to cancel the 'world's shortest parade' and other Fourth of July activities.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Peter Hotaling, 13, represented R. Dan Nolan Middle School at the HOSA International Leadership Conference June 18-22 in Nashville, Tennessee.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • July 4, 2025
Nolan Middle student places third at international HOSA event

Peter Hotaling, 13, entered his speech in the Health Career Preparation category against students from around the world.

  • East County
  • Schools
A street level rendering of Adagio by Kobi Karp Architecture.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 4, 2025
Live Local tower project ups residential units, commercial space

The Sarasota Development Review Committee got its first look at two downtown residential developments: the 18-story mixed-use Adagio and a boutique building in the Rosemary District.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The St. Regis Longboat Key Resort opened in August 2024.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 4, 2025
St. Regis lands AAA Travel's five-diamond rating

As the resort approaches its first-year anniversary, Forbes' rating is still pending.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Best friends Olivia Geler and McKenna Bonura snap their photos from the finish tower July 3 at Nathan Benderson Park during Fireworks on the Lake.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 4, 2025
Rain can't stop the pop at Nathan Benderson Park

The park hosted its annual Fireworks on the Lake celebration July 3.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Members of the Friends of Legacy Trail all prepare for the opening of the new trail bridge.
    By
  • Carlin Gillen, Eric Garwood
  • July 3, 2025
Sarasota cyclists are switching gears for the new Legacy Trail bridge

The Florida Department of Transportation opens the new Legacy Trail bike and pedestrian bridge over Clark Road.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The Crossing team of Michael Barron, James Brearley, Travis Taaffe and Brandon Taaffe won its division during the competition from Bimini in The Bahamas to Lake Worth Beach.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 3, 2025
Sarasota brothers paddleboard from Bimini to Florida for cystic fibrosis

Two brothers and two friends take on and wi, an 80-mile Atlantic paddleboard challenge in an effort to provide support for individuals and families battling cystic fibrosis.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The Unit 17PHC condominium at 50 Central Ave. was built in 2005 and has three bedrooms, three-and-a-half baths and 4,174 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 3, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for June 16-20 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A condominium in Plaza at Five Point Residences on Central Avenue tops the week's sales at $4.5 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
Booker High rising senior Tyren Wortham committed to Michigan State on June 22 after mulling over offers from 32 other Division-I programs.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 3, 2025
Booker High receiver picks Michigan State among 33 Division-I offers

Tyren Wortham has mapped out his path to the NFL.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Sarasota County Public Works Director Spencer Anderson briefs the public about flooding during the 2024 hurricane season.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2025
New stormwater department to separate from Public Works

Citing public perception of slow response to 2024 flood mitigation, the Sarasota County Commission votes to remove that function from the Public Works Department.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Nathan Benderson Park holds its annual Fireworks on the Lake on July 3.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2025
Nathan Benderson Park expands July 3 fireworks show

This year, the Fourth of July fireworks show has been stretched from 15 minutes to 18 minutes.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
FCL Orioles pitcher Adrian Heredia delivers a pitch against the FCL Rays in a game at Twin Lakes Park on June 30.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • July 2, 2025
Sarasota baseball fans could have the chance to watch future MLB players

The FCL Orioles may have an influx of talent after the MLB Draft on July 13-14.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
The Myakka City Historical Society has been restoring the Myakka City School House since 1993.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 2, 2025
Historical sites tell Manatee County's story

Preserving history is a joint effort between government, nonprofits and residents.

  • East County
  • News
The poles are gone, cheers to Lynn Larson
  • By Letters to the Editor
  • July 2, 2025
The poles are gone, cheers to Lynn Larson

Longboat's undergrounding of utility wires means no more unsightly structures, says a reader.

  • Sarasota
  • Opinion
Steve Branham (left) and Deborah Murphy (right) speak at the election forum held on Feb. 9.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2025
Longboat leaders keep pension board selections unchanged

Leadership will remain the decision of town commissioners after the 7-0 vote.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
2
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables
3
All games in the 2027 Sarasota College Softball Classic will be played on the championship field (lower left) at the new 17th Street Park Regional Sports Complex.
  • December 18, 2025
New north county park draws major collegiate softball tournament
4
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
  • December 18, 2025
Citrus County woman held in shooting death of Manatee man
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