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Your Observer | All

Sarasota High senior Jake MacDonald wants to win a state championship this fall after finishing 10th overall at the Class 3A state championship in 2024.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 12, 2025
Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Jake MacDonald

The Sarasota High golfer wants to win a state title in his senior season.

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
Paola Ramirez, Jairo Badilla and Anderson Pelaez
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 12, 2025
Sarasota's CreArte Latino celebrates its birthday with fundraiser

The nonprofit held a fundraiser celebration for its eighth birthday and first birthday in its new space, inviting the local community to join.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Ship gets stuck on sand bar in the Gulf
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
Ship gets stuck on sand bar in the Gulf

Marine patrol responds to a couple running aground off Longboat Key. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
Amy Blair, the manager at the Old Salty Dog on City Island, said visitors often enjoy seeing dolphins, sharks, seabirds and other wildlife from the waterfront seating.
    By
  • Dana Kampa
  • August 12, 2025
Old Salty Dog celebrates post-recovery recognition

Not long after reopening from a five-month closure caused by hurricane damage, the longstanding Sarasota bar is celebrating a new national commendation.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
City undergoes billing system change for water customers

Beginning in October, the city of Sarasota will implement electronic payment system InvoiceCloud for water bills, shift convenience fees to customers.

  • Sarasota
  • News
An aerial rendering of the planned Sarasota Memorial Hospital-North Port.
    By
  • Observer Staff
  • August 12, 2025
SMH expands plans for full-service North Port hospital

Before ground is broken on the new Sarasota Memorial Hospital in south county, the Sarasota County Public Hospital Board has approved plans for a four-floor expansion.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Lakewood Ranch volleyball seniors Julia Vendramini, Kora Yanes and Ava Collins are aiming for a district title in their final season together.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 12, 2025
Senior-led Mustangs volleyball team expects to vie for regional title

It's now or never for Lakewood Ranch High's top senior players in the 2025 season.

  • East County
  • Sports
Ventura’s Italian Kitchen's menu ranges from a Margherita Pizza to Chicken Piccata.
    By
  • Mark Gordon
  • August 12, 2025
Longboat Italian eatery to open second Manatee County location

The owner says Ventura’s Italian Kitchen "promises a warm, welcoming atmosphere."

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Eat + Drink
Ricardo Vasquez and Monica Rodriguez wish their daughter Kiali Vasquez good luck on her first day with a kiss. Kiali is determined to get straight A's.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
Lake Manatee K-8 opens to students for the first time in Lakewood Ranch

On the first day of school, Principal Todd Richardson was eager to finally have students on campus.

  • East County
  • Schools
Andre Evans, 11, his mother Heather Abling, and cousin Nyomii Knight, 9, left with backpacks for the school year.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Church of the Redeemer prepares Alta Vista students with Back-to-School Bash

The event offered supplies and services before the start of school including shoes and clothing items, backpacks and vision and dental exams.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
Martina Kandrachoff sees off her older sister, Guillermina, for her first day of school at Alta Vista Elementary School on Aug. 11.
    By
  • Dana Kampa, Ian Swaby
  • August 11, 2025
Recess is over as school begins in Sarasota

Southside Elementary and Alta Vista Elementary kids make their return for the 2025-26 school year.

  • Sarasota
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch's Peter and Athena Hotaling enjoy using their phones to connect with friends and family, play games, use social media and more. With the new phone restrictions, they will have to save those things for after school hours.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 11, 2025
New phone policy will be 'learning curve' for Manatee students

Per House Bill 1105, elementary and middle school students will be required to turn off and stow away electronic devices during school.

  • East County
  • Schools
Lakewood Ranch setter Julia Vendramini is embracing the expectations of being a senior leader this fall.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 11, 2025
East County Athlete of the Week: Julia Vendramini

The Lakewood Ranch volleyball player has become a key player for the Mustangs.

  • East County
  • Sports
An aerial perspective of the 777 Palm Avenue Condos planned to be built across Mound Street from the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens parking structure.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 11, 2025
Mound Street condo project sailing through staff review

On its second submittal to the city's Development Review Committee, the 66-unit 777 Palm Avenue Condos project, with few staff comments remaining, has received partial sign-off.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Demolition began last week on the home at 634 Buttonwood Drive, which was badly damaged by hurricane-related flooding.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 11, 2025
Buttonwood Harbour residents on Longboat remain mixed toward rebuild

Some homeowners have homes finished, some are starting from scratch, and others are getting out.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
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Latest News

1
Sarasota's Harlyn Voyles, 7, holds on for dear life during the mutton busting at Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash April 4.
  • April 5, 2026
Dakin Dairy Farms' Bull Bash attracts 2,000 fans on Easter weekend
2
Jeremy Gandon kisses the LECOM Suncoast Classic trophy. He shot six under par in the final round to win the title at 22 under par overall, defeating Mitchell Meissner and Jay Card III by one stroke.
  • April 5, 2026
Jeremy Gandon wins 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic
3
Sarasota deejay and beatbox artist Karim Manning
  • April 5, 2026
Arts groups get 'Squeezed' for the 2026 Giving Challenge
4
Under Southwest Florida Water Management District's Phase III restrictions, water fountains can only run four hours per day.
  • April 5, 2026
Manatee County among 14 Southwest Florida counties under water restrictions
5
Jeremy Gandon tees off on the first hole of the Commander Course at Lakewood National Golf Club. The 29-year-old Frenchman carded six under par in the third round.
  • April 4, 2026
Race tightens in third round of 2026 LECOM Suncoast Classic

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