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Your Observer | All

Bradenton residents Sandjina Alexis, 5 and Berline Valcius were thrilled to receive backpacks.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2025
Stillpoint Mission distributes 810 backpacks for students in need

Each backpack includes school supplies and a $35 gift card to use at Bealls.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Driver with two driver's licenses gets one ticket
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 5, 2025
Driver with two driver's licenses gets one ticket

An out-of-state motorist with a suspended Florida license learns you can't have it both ways. This and other Longboat Key police reports in this week's edition of Cops Corner.

  • Longboat Key
  • Cops Corner
The second option for High School AAA, with a $107,000,000 budget, would provide 1,000 student stations and 139,000 square feet of space. Later additions might include an auditorium, gymnasium and other athletic fields.
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 5, 2025
School board to decide fate of new high school in Lakewood Ranch

Two options being studied for a high school at Rangeland Parkway and Post Boulevard, along with a possible expansion at Braden River High.

  • East County
  • Schools
The Sarasota Seagrass sculpture selected for the roundabout at 10th Street and U.S. 41 has been redesigned to remove the fish per Florida Department of Transportation safety standards.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 5, 2025
Design and perhaps location changes affect 10th Street roundabout sculpture

For safety reasons, the small fish in the Seagrass sculpture selected for the roundabout at 10th Street and U.S. 41 have been removed while the location choice remains in flux.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Manatee County CFO Sheila McLean presents a new budget proposal July 31.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 5, 2025
Manatee property values decelerate, but tentative millage stays steady

Countywide property values were anticipated to grow by 10% but only grew by 7.09%.

  • East County
  • News
Lakewood Ranch returns just one player on offense who scored a touchdown last year after losing several playmakers via transfer this offseason.
    By
  • Vinnie Portell
  • August 5, 2025
Transfers have reshaped East County football teams

Lakewood Ranch High was hit hard with the loss of seven talented transfers.

  • East County
  • Sports
An Azario Esplanade home at 3568 Santa Caterina Blvd. tops the week’s sales at $1.7 million. Built in 2023, it has three bedrooms, three baths and 3,101 square feet of living area.
    By
  • Adam Hughes
  • August 5, 2025
Top residential real estate sales for July 21-25 in Lakewood Ranch

A home in Azario Esplanade topped the week's sales at $1.7 million.

  • East County
  • Real Estate
Town of Longboat Key Police Chief Russ Mager is sworn in on his first day Aug. 4 as his wife, Beth, looks on.
    By
  • Michael Harris
  • August 5, 2025
Longboat Key swears in new police chief

Russ Mager brings 29 years of experience to the position, with much of that time spent in Delray Beach.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
  • By Observer Advertising Content Staff
  • August 4, 2025
Skip the Bridge and Take the Gulf Islands Ferry

Hop aboard the Gulf Islands Ferry and turn a regular day into a mini escape.

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Spotlight Partners
Sponsored Content
Loretta Pettway Bennett, Sarasota Art Museum Associate Curator Lacie Barbour and Louisiana Bendolph
    By
  • Monica Roman Gagnier
  • August 4, 2025
Gee's Bend quilters learned to 'make something out of nothing'

Loretta Pettway Bennett and Louisiana Bendolph share their stories at Sarasota Art Museum.

  • Arts + Culture
There are three living levels within 845 Longboat Club Road.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • August 4, 2025
Record-breaking Longboat home sale spotlights island's unique market

The $30.3 million deal solidifies the town's position for luxury sales.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
The damage to Whitaker Gateway Park from hurricanes Helene and Milton is estimated at $1.5 million.
    By
  • Andrew Warfield
  • August 4, 2025
City park hurricane repairs estimated at $12.45 million

In addition to $12.45 million in repairs to city parks and piers, Sarasota's Parks and Recreation Department budget also took a nearly $200,000 hit in lost revenues following the 2024 storms.

  • Sarasota
  • News
The electric dirt bike seen here is a Talaria XXX Pro that retails for about $3,000. The manufacturer states that it was designed for off-road use by riders 16 years of age or older.
    By
  • Lesley Dwyer
  • August 4, 2025
Electric bicycle use regulated in unincorporated Manatee County

The ordinance prohibits kids under 16 from using Class 3 electric bikes on shared-use paths and roadways.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota resident Dana Crispin and her 4-year-old son Zayden are eager to pose with Dora from "Dora the Explorer" and Valerie Frizzle from "The Magic School Bus."
    By
  • Madison Bierl
  • August 3, 2025
Back to School Bash at The Mall at UTC in Sarasota builds excitement

A scavenger hunt for school supplies, dance performances, face painting and more made for an eventful day at the mall.

  • East County
  • Neighbors
Marina Prybylski, 7, and her brother Tristan Prybylski, 5, prepare to head onto the course.
    By
  • Ian Swaby
  • August 3, 2025
Bike Rodeo event highlights bike safety as school year approaches

The event, held at the Sarasota City YMCA, donated 32 bikes and some 40 helmets.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
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Latest News

1
Benderson Development's latest plans for the former Sarasota County Administrative Center property as presented to Laurel Park residents in December 2025.
  • April 6, 2026
Benderson begins trek through rezoning of 1660 Ringling Boulevard
2
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
3
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
4
Sarasota deejay and beatbox artist Karim Manning
  • April 5, 2026
Arts groups get 'Squeezed' for the 2026 Giving Challenge
5
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

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