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Your Observer | All

    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2026
So, you want to be a citizen?

Thousands of people are naturalized as Americans every year. But how?

  • Spirit of America
A sign at Selby Library announces the Sarasota History Day Contest.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • July 2, 2026
US history marches on, as does how it's taught in Manatee, Sarasota schools

Analysis is emphasized in classrooms as teachers follow the lead of state standards to engage students.

  • Spirit of America
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July
    By
  • Ian Swaby, Madison Bierl
  • July 2, 2026
Kids share their perspectives on the Fourth of July

Kids say the darndest things — especially when you ask them about Independence Day, U.S. History and what it means to be a good citizen.

  • Spirit of America
Sarasota History Center Manager Josh Goodman is an avid historian who loves checking out maps of the region in the 1700s.
    By
  • Jay Heater
  • July 2, 2026
The land almost no one wanted

Historians say few braved the brutal Sarasota environment when our forefathers were signing the Declaration of Independence.

  • Spirit of America
Ben Quartermaine was hired by Sarasota County to head up the new Stormwater Department, tasked to help prevent future flooding from tropical weather events and maintain runoff water quality.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2026
Sarasota County stormwater budget request swells by 73%

In his first budget presentation, Sarasota County Stormwater Department Director Ben Quartermaine proposed 22 more employees and a $35 million spending increase.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Longboat Key has 88 canals according to a report by the town’s costal engineering consultant firm First Line Coastal. The canals have not been dredged since 2003.
    By
  • S.T. Cardinal
  • July 2, 2026
Canal dredging assessment passes unanimously

Flat fees per boat slip and islandwide property taxes will be charged starting this fall.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
A crew clears vegetation and downed trees from the Braden River in May 2025, but there's about $18.8 million of cleaning left to complete in waterways around Manatee County.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 2, 2026
Cleaning waterways will cost Manatee County another $18.8 million

Manatee County spent $10.5 million to clean waterways of debris in 2025 but the job isn't done.

  • East County
  • News
Volunteers with the Longboat Key Turtle Watch discovered the first hatched nest of the season on Longboat Key while out patrolling in the early morning hours.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • July 2, 2026
First turtle nest hatches on Longboat

Volunteers spotted the first hatched nest of the turtle nesting season this week.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Sarasota Police Chief Rex Troche presents Officer William "Tripp" Schwenk with his framed badge during his June 26 retirement ceremony.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • July 2, 2026
Retired Sarasota police officer enjoyed a medal-worthy career

Thirty years after winning gold in the 1996 Summer Olympics, Officer Tripp Schwenk hangs up his badge next to his goggles to mark the end of a 26-year career with the Sarasota Police Department.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Henry D'Hondt, catcher for the Sarasota Little League 12U American All-Stars, gets out of his stance for a throw. He was one of several players impacted by the October 2025 report of over $200,000 lost from the league's treasury.
    By
  • Jack Nelson
  • July 2, 2026
Sarasota Little League builds back from disaster

The league based at Twin Lakes Park lost hundreds of thousands of dollars last fall and, ever since, has been working to recover.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Glenridge resident Sylvia Waller's 105th birthday is coming up on July 10.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • July 2, 2026
Sarasota resident prepares to turn 105

Sylvia Waller, a resident of The Glenridge on Palmer Ranch, approaches her 105th birthday, which she will celebrate with four generations of family members.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
The home at 3705 Tangier Terrace was built in 1956 and has three bedrooms, three baths, a pool and 2,529 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • July 2, 2026
Top residential real estate sales for June 15-19 in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Palmer Ranch, Osprey, Nokomis

A Sarabay Acres home on Sarabay Road tops the week’s sales at $4.7 million.

  • Sarasota
  • Real Estate
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • July 2, 2026
Voices of America: What do you like best about America?

In our series of questions for Americans in honor of the country's 250th birthday, we ask respondents what they like best about America.

  • Spirit of America
“I thought he was trying to die on us. But then they stopped the bleeding and I felt hopeful again.” - Linda Stelle, Wife of patient Roger Stelle
  • By Lakewood Ranch Medical Center
  • July 2, 2026
Critical Patient Is Saved by Quick Efforts of Hospital Teams

When Roger Stelle collapsed at home, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center was there to help.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Sponsored Content
Tony Barrett appears before Judge Gilbert A. Smith Jr. July 1. He's on the screen. His attorney Richard Reinhart appeared in person.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • July 1, 2026
Manatee County Commission candidate arrested for a second time

Tony Barrett is running for the District 6 at-large seat.

  • East County
  • News
« 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 »
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Latest News

1
The USF Sarasota-Manatee campus has steadily grown over the past 20 years on Tamiami Trail.
  • July 21, 2026
USF names new Sarasota-Manatee leader for New College transition
2
Multiple species of starfish have found a home on the "Living Wall" at Longboat Key's Bayfront Park. The innovative project uses 3D-printed concrete slabs modeled after mangrove roots to provide better habitat for aquatic animals.
  • July 21, 2026
Longboat's living seawall recognized for creativity
3
Tania Vergara Dance Theater will stage a free performance of "HuMangrove" on Saturday, July 25, at Selby LIbrary.
  • July 21, 2026
The best things to do this weekend in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat
4
Bob Bowling (left) chews out his son, Matt Bowling (right), while coaching football at Palmetto High. Before Braden River, he worked at Palmetto from 1993-2004.
  • July 21, 2026
Family, friends remember longtime coach, athletic director Bob Bowling
5
Melinda Zarzycki-Harris, founder and executive director of Bring on the Ministry, and Pastor Julia Wharff Piermont of Christ Church of Longboat Key are all smiles with their new ministry partnership.
  • July 21, 2026
Christ Church gets new charitable partner

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